5 Sure Signs of a Dirty Restaurant

Every state has its own health code and inspection process for restaurants to protect the health and well-being of the general public. Some operate on a 0-100 scale while others give letter grades. Restaurants for their part are not always required to display their health score out in the open. Receiving a less-than-satisfactory score on a health inspection doesn't force a restaurant to close, and eating at low-scoring restaurants could make you sick. Here are five quick tips to give you a good idea of whether a restaurant is as clean as it should be before dining.

Look on Yelp^® for the Health Score

Online government databases post all restaurant health scores, but these can be difficult to locate and navigate for the average customer. Fortunately, in 2021 the customer review website Yelp started adding publicly available health scores to restaurant pages. Before heading to a new restaurant, you can check its most recent health score and historical health score data on Yelp. If things aren't up to your standards, it's a good idea to pass. 

Peek at the Bathrooms

Bathrooms are the best litmus test for the cleanliness of a kitchen. Usually, employees use the same restroom as customers, so check that hot water, soap, and hand-drying options are readily available and well-stocked. Also, the restroom should smell clean like disinfectant without any visible dirt or grime. If the restroom isn't kept clean, then odds are the kitchen isn't either. 

Check the Temperature of the Food

If you are still on the fence after sitting down and ordering, check the temperature of your food before chowing down. If a restaurant serves food at room temperature, be cautious. Lukewarm food has likely been sitting too long between preparation and serving and may not be safe to eat.

Notice How Quickly the Staff Clears Tables

While you're waiting, take a look around the restaurant and pay attention to how quickly the staff clears tables. Not only is it unsanitary to leave food sitting out, but lacking attention to this detail likely means things aren't done with care elsewhere in the restaurant. 

Look for Grease

If you can see into the kitchen, check for any signs of visible grease. Cooking is a messy activity, but grease traps and filters should be cleaned regularly. Visible signs of grease are a good indication that the kitchen is not keeping things as clean as they should.

Although there's no surefire way to know if a restaurant is clean, these five tips combined with your intuition can give you a good idea of when to steer clear. If a restaurant seems dirty, then listen to your gut and find somewhere else to eat.

References: Health Inspection Data on Yelp | How can you tell the restaurant you're eating in is clean? | 3 Ways to Know If a Restaurant's Clean | 8 Telltale Signs That a Restaurant Isn't as Clean as It Should Be, According to Experts