Restaurant inspections (Huntsville: home, theatre, DMV)

[harry chickpea]

Am I the only one that thinks some of these inspectors are getting too big for their britches? I've done the food safety courses, have a certification from the National Association of Concessionaires, and I think the lowest I ever got in a theatre in Florida or Alabama was a 96, so I know what is involved.

Kitchen Cops: restaurant owner calls inspection a 'witch hunt' - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

"The marinara scored 172, the meat sauce on the outside scored 172, and the man said the chicken scored 129. When we tested it, it showed 172. They're all the same. They're all on the same piece. So, when we questioned that, it was like a witch hunt and it just got worse from there," Roach said.

Roach filed an appeal of Mama's score with the Alabama Department of Public Health. The director of the department's environmental services said they reviewed the inspection and backed the Marshall County Health Department, and Mama's 62 will stand. "

I've watched a few of the WAFF reports and have been left scratching my head a couple of times on the lower scores and the reasons for them. There is a difference between food safety and punitive twits, I've also experienced that. I had an inspector come in once and ding me 2 points on a can opener because even though it was spotless, it was the commercial type that pierces the can. (Which in this case only was used to open cans of nacho cheese.) I got in his face and told him if he could let me know where to find a commercial one that didn't, I would get it that day. He got silent, and never came back on that route, and the next inspection at the theatre was a 100.

I will say that if I ran a restaurant these days, I'd be making a video of every inspection. Looks like there are some loose cannon out there.

[BMW Dave]

I hear ya.

The fry basket thing, is an odd thing.

But I understand what that owner was talking about. I have worked in many restaurants and been responsible for inspections.

The random chicken temp??? No way that is possible. That thing he was describing was a single heat coil, submerged in water and that steams the 3 or 4 trays above it. Impossible for one to be so drastically colder than one being heated by the same steam!

Another thing with the cold temps, the fridge may be 38 or something, but the deli meat you just sliced was room temperature, no way for it to cool down in time, if you JUST USED IT. I mean you can't shut down for the day of an inspection, so the kitchen is actively being used. SO much of this is subjective. Roaches and rodents are the big points of concern for me.

Also I don't know of any other can opener, I have always used the kind that "pierces", I don't know of another way to open a can...

[harry chickpea]

On the can opener, I did find a home one at Walmart that breaks the seal between the lid and the can, which is what we use now. I never have seen a commercial one of them though. Totally agree with your other points.

[flatheadfreddy]

Any government agent is prone to vindictiveness. I have dealt with FDA, OSHA, DMV, HUD, hell they all suck at one time or another. Just for safety I try to stay on their good side, because we all know the government is GOD and punishment/revenge is good and sweet to them.

[writerwife]

Originally Posted by flatheadfreddy

Any government agent is prone to vindictiveness. I have dealt with FDA, OSHA, DMV, HUD, hell they all suck at one time or another. Just for safety I try to stay on their good side, because we all know the government is GOD and punishment/revenge is good and sweet to them.

You only say that because you know they're monitoring this conversation! Bwahahaha
(couldn't resist)

[BMW Dave]

Originally Posted by writerwife

You only say that because you know they're monitoring this conversation! Bwahahaha
(couldn't resist)

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by writerwife

You only say that because you know they're monitoring this conversation! Bwahahaha
(couldn't resist)

[flatheadfreddy]

Crap.. I just read the government shutdown didn't include the NSA I am cooked..at 172 degrees.....except my legs they are at 129......