9 Responses to “News: Vancouver Coastal Health’s 2008 list of restaurant closures”  

1. 1 Jessica on May 30, 2008 said:

   I worked with the the public health inspectors in the lower mainland and I would have to say to take the list of restaurant closures with a grain of salt. Sometimes you get a rash of restaurant closures because of some power-tripping, nazi health inspector who is new on the job and apt to make a radical change in the industry. (Take the recent closure of the soup & sandwich kitchen program / church / homeless shelter earlier this year.) It is these inspectors who kill the industry for food and food production.

   Granted, some of the violations are unforgivable and a *real* risk to public health. But in an industry where the “grading” of the food establishment is at the discretion of the individual health inspector, I would personally evaluate the restaurants facilities (washroom, back door / garbage disposal, kitchen) and personnel and come to my own opinion of how well the restaurant is run and kept.

   There were some restaurants that I inspected in New West, Granville Street, and in Burnaby that were horrendous for health violations, and even at the front of the house, it was clearly apparent (I’m talking about rodent droppings on the tiles in the dining area, and in the customer washroom.)

   I think that it is at a time when the consumer has to be aware of health issues, instead of relying on authorities to provide protection. It is always good to know your restaurantaurs and make sure they, and their staff, have a good grasp of food hygiene.
2. 2 ed.chan on May 30, 2008 said:

   Thanks for the great insight and advice Jessica!
   Interesting and a bit scary at the same time.

   I usually go with the “ignorance is bliss” approach. But if rats, cockroaches, and unsafe food-handling practices are involved, I might have to rethink that. It amazes me that restaurant owners could let that stuff fly :(
3. 3 Charlie on June 1, 2008 said:

   I agree with Jessica, to take the list with a grain of salt… For the past ten years I have worked in restaurants all over Vancouver and am always surprised to see some of the worst offenders, never on ‘the’ list. Different inspectors are more leanient than others, and also timing of the visit can mean a lot. For example people would be surprised at how many of their favourite higher priced west end restaurants are consistently invested with pests and rodents…. I’ve worked places where the kitchen is constantly wiping down surfaces because of an abundance of mice droppings, and you can see at least one mouse running around the back service areas at any given time… Yet somehow these places are not on the list… hmmmm… interesting…. kinda makes you think doesn’t it
4. 4 Ibata on June 19, 2008 said:

   I used to own and run a restaurant. It’s not that difficult to stay off the list, guys. Basic cleaning and proper storage of food is all that it takes.

   If there is mouse or rat poo in the kitchen, come on – would you really eat there, with a grain of salt?

   If you are closed due to “rodent” infestation, I wouldn’t take that with a grain of salt – I would take it seriously. You really have to work hard to have unsanitary premises.
5. 5 Krystal on July 6, 2008 said:

   I really appreciate Jessica’s comments as a reminder to remain objective and open to various perspectives.

   I worked at a non-food related business downtown that had problems with mouse droppings in our lunchroom simply because of the poor kitchen-hygiene habits of my co-workers and easy access for the rodents coming in from the alley. No one would never even imagine closing us down for something like that. And, if we were closed down to deal with cleaning up the droppings our customers would be in an uproar! It’s part of a neighbourhoods sometimes, and unavoidable. But if restaurants pay attention to the basics like Ibata advises it’s manageable. And it should be easy to tell the places to avoid without an inspector telling you!
6. 6 a on November 9, 2008 said:

   what about a weiners. try out the indian restaurants in famous 2nd ave, new york. monster cockroaches, smell of powder in the air, and yet they continue on and on.
7. 7 gruhn on September 10, 2009 said:

   You think that’s bad, check this diner out: http://www.webdonuts.com/2009/09/the-diner/ But the service is good.

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