2007 Health Ratings - Omaha, NE @ GFC

Time for an update to the ever popular Douglas County Food Facility Sanitation Ratings .

I can't say there are too many surprising things about the 2007 list. That's unfortunate. Most of the places that scored an EXCELLENT rating, did so last year as well, demonstrating a commitment to quality and their customers. Sadly, many of the places scoring a GOOD-FAIR rating were also in that same spot this time last year.

The trends in the bottom seem to be Ethnic restaurants, cheap eats and bar that just happen to also serve food. I also saw a lot of bakeries, including JAMES SKINNER BAKING CO which sells product in local grocery stores. Will any store managers have the guts to make a stand and pull their product if they don't get their ratings up? Speaking of grocery stores, I was a little surprised to see WOHLNERS GROCERY still on the bottom. And a little disgusted to see MATSU SUSHI on the bottom. No sushi place should ever be on the bottom of a list like this. Yuck.

Have a happy and healthy 2008!

THE EXCELLENT LIST

CLANCY'S PUB	7120 PACIFIC ST	EXCELLENT
GENJI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE	14529 W CENTER RD	EXCELLENT
HUHOT MONGOLIAN GRILL	17660 WRIGHT ST # 14	EXCELLENT
JOE TESS PLACE	5424 SO 24 ST	EXCELLENT
KING MANN	3720 FLORENCE BLVD	EXCELLENT
KOBE STEAK HOUSE OF JAPAN	120 REGENCY PKWY	EXCELLENT
OLD COUNTRY BUFFET	14525 W CENTER RD	EXCELLENT
STOKE'S GRILL & BAR	646 NO 114 ST	EXCELLENT
TEA TROVE (THE)	12100 W CENTER RD	EXCELLENT
UPSTREAM BREWING COMPANY WEST	17070 WRIGHT PLZ	EXCELLENT
V MERTZ RESTAURANT	1022 HOWARD ST	EXCELLENT

THE NOT-SO-EXCELLENT LIST

ABSOLUTELY FRESH SEAFOOD CO	1218 SO 119TH ST	GOOD-FAIR
BAGEL BIN INC	1215-19 SO 119 ST	GOOD-FAIR
BILL'S BAR-B-QUE	4414 NO 24 ST	GOOD-FAIR
BILLY K'S CAFE	12025 BLONDO ST	GOOD-FAIR
BLIMPIE SUBS & SALADS	14510 W CENTER RD	GOOD-FAIR
BLIMPIE SUBS/GOODRICH	577 N 155 PLZ	GOOD-FAIR
BREAD OVEN (THE)	1202 SO 119 ST	GOOD-FAIR
BRUEGGER'S BAGEL BAKERY	228 NO 114 ST	GOOD-FAIR
BUTSY LE DOUX'S	1014 HOWARD ST	GOOD-FAIR
CAPPY'S	5059 SO 108 ST	GOOD-FAIR
CARIBBEAN DELIGHTS	2304 NO 72 ST	GOOD-FAIR
CECIL'S CAFE	4971 DODGE ST	GOOD-FAIR
CHINA GATE	7923 BLONDO ST	GOOD-FAIR
CHINA KITCHEN	17676 WELCH PLZ	GOOD-FAIR
CHINA ONE RESTAURANT	10803 JOHN GALT BLVD	GOOD-FAIR
CHINA PALACE RESTAURANT	661 NO 46 ST	GOOD-FAIR
CHINA TOWN	3720 LEAVENWORTH ST	GOOD-FAIR
CHOICE MEATS	6225 SO 90 ST	GOOD-FAIR
CICI'S PIZZA	3205 OAKVIEW DR	GOOD-FAIR
CICI'S PIZZA	346 NO SADDLE CREEK	GOOD-FAIR
CLANCY'S PUB	777 NO 114 ST	GOOD-FAIR
D J 'S DUGOUT	636 NO 114 ST	GOOD-FAIR
DAIRY QUEEN	1922 NO 72 ST	GOOD-FAIR
DONUT STOP	1256 SO 13 ST	GOOD-FAIR
DOWN UNDER BAR	3804 LEAVENWORTH ST	GOOD-FAIR
DRAFT HOUSE	1203 SO 180	GOOD-FAIR
EL BUEN PAN BAKERY	1344 PARK AVE	GOOD-FAIR
EL RANCHITO	4318 SO 24 ST	GOOD-FAIR
FERD'S BAKE SHOP	8927 J ST	GOOD-FAIR
FIESTA BREAD COMPANY	4209 SO 87 ST	GOOD-FAIR
FORGOT STORE (THE)	11909 CALHOUN RD	GOOD-FAIR
FRANKIE'S DRIVE-IN	1208 SO 24 ST	GOOD-FAIR
FUDDRUCKERS	16920 WRIGHT PLZ	GOOD-FAIR
GERDAS BAKERY INC	5180 LEAVENWORTH ST	GOOD-FAIR
GLOBAL FOODS GROCERY	1533 NO SADDLE CREEK	GOOD-FAIR
GODFATHER'S PIZZA	3141 NO 108 ST	GOOD-FAIR
GOLDEN PALACE	4040 NO 132 ST	GOOD-FAIR
GOOFY FOOT LODGE	1012 SO 10 ST	GOOD-FAIR
GOYI STORE	1024 SO 74 PLZ	GOOD-FAIR
GRAND FORTUNE CHINESE REST	17330 W CENTER RD	GOOD-FAIR
HAPPY FAMILY RESTAURANT	2316 NO 72 ST	GOOD-FAIR
HILLSIDE BAR	3906 L ST	GOOD-FAIR
HOMESTYLE CAFE	8807 MAPLE ST	GOOD-FAIR
HONG HING	5411 NO 90 ST	GOOD-FAIR
HONG KONG CAFE	664 NO 114 ST	GOOD-FAIR
HOUSE OF HUNAN	2405 SO 132 ST	GOOD-FAIR
HOUSE OF LEE	5446 NO 90	GOOD-FAIR
HOUSE OF POULTRY	4111 NO 30 ST	GOOD-FAIR
HUNAN GARDEN	5916 CENTER ST	GOOD-FAIR
IHOP #5338	4707 NO 72 ST	GOOD-FAIR
INDIA GARDEN	2819 SO 125 ST	GOOD-FAIR
JAMES SKINNER BAKING CO	4538 SO 90 ST	GOOD-FAIR
JJ'S BAR & GRILL	3201 SO 24 ST	GOOD-FAIR
KELLY O'S PUB	2514 LEAVENWORTH	GOOD-FAIR
KING KONG RESTAURANT	3362 SO 13 ST	GOOD-FAIR
LA FLOR DE MEXICO	4808 SO 24 ST	GOOD-FAIR
LA GUERA	4233 SO 24 ST	GOOD-FAIR
LA HACIENDA RESTAURANT	7211 FARNAM ST	GOOD-FAIR
LA MICHOACANA	4002 1/2 SO 24 ST	GOOD-FAIR
LA TIA HOT TAMALES CAFE	3572 LEAVENWORTH ST	GOOD-FAIR
LIGHTHOUSE BAR & GRILL	15676 W MAPLE RD	GOOD-FAIR
MANCHU WOK	3001 SO 144 ST	GOOD-FAIR
MANDARIN FUSION	4412 SO 42 ST	GOOD-FAIR
MATSU SUSHI	1009 FARNAM ST	GOOD-FAIR
MCKENNA'S	7425 PACIFIC ST	GOOD-FAIR
MICKEY FINNS SPORTS CAFE	12107 EMMET	GOOD-FAIR
NAUGHTY LOUNGE	10730 PACIFIC	GOOD-FAIR
NEIGHBORS (THE)	4689 LEAVENWORTH ST	GOOD-FAIR
NEST LOUNGE (THE)	2638 SO 158 PLZ	GOOD-FAIR
NEW ASIAN SUPERMARKET	4615 SO 26 ST	GOOD-FAIR
NEW YORK CHICKEN & GYROS	5832 SO 144 ST	GOOD-FAIR
NICK'S GRILL	3229 HARNEY ST	GOOD-FAIR
NICO	11201 DAVENPORT	GOOD-FAIR
NORTH STAR	8509 NO 30 ST	GOOD-FAIR
O'BRIEN'S LOUNGE INC	1014 SO 74 PLZ	GOOD-FAIR
OMAHA TROPICAL MARKET	2312 NO 72 ST	GOOD-FAIR
PATTY'S COCINA	4109 L ST	GOOD-FAIR
PAULI'S	4016 LEAVENWORTH ST	GOOD-FAIR
PITSTOP PIZZA	14513 W MAPLE RD #102	GOOD-FAIR
PIZZA SHOPPE	6056 MAPLE	GOOD-FAIR
QUIZNO'S CLASSIC SUBS	302 SO 16 ST	GOOD-FAIR
RALSTON OLD MKT SPAG WKS	8531 PARK DR	GOOD-FAIR
RICHIE'S CHICKEN & RIBS	3528 CENTER ST	GOOD-FAIR
RIVER CITY SALOON	1802 VINTON ST	GOOD-FAIR
ROSY'S TAQUERIA	4623 SO 33 ST	GOOD-FAIR
RUSTY NAIL INN	14111 PIERCE PLZ	GOOD-FAIR
SEASON BUFFET	7415 DODGE PLZ	GOOD-FAIR
SENOR MATIAS	2505 SO 90 ST	GOOD-FAIR
SIZZLER STEAK HOUSE #0485	14323 ARBOR ST	GOOD-FAIR
SONS OF ITALY	1238 SO 10 ST	GOOD-FAIR
STADIUM CLUB (THE)	414 SO 10 ST	GOOD-FAIR
SUBWAY	2717 NO 90 ST	GOOD-FAIR
SUBWAY/GOODRICH	15761 W DODGE RD	GOOD-FAIR
T BONES GRILLHOUSE	17857 PIERCE PLZ	GOOD-FAIR
TA CHAN BUFFET	601 SO 72 ST	GOOD-FAIR
TACO JOHN'S	8303 MAPLE ST	GOOD-FAIR
TACOS TOO	210 SO 16 ST	GOOD-FAIR
TANDURI FUSION INDIAN RESTAURANT	2537 SO 174 PLZ	GOOD-FAIR
TAQUERIA EL PALENQUE	840 SO 24 ST	GOOD-FAIR
TASTE EXPRESS	697 NO 132 ST	GOOD-FAIR
TASTE OF INDIA	3001 SO 144 ST	GOOD-FAIR
TOKYO KITCHEN	14132 ARBOR ST	GOOD-FAIR
TRACKSIDE LOUNGE	1506 SO 60 ST	GOOD-FAIR
TRINI'S	1020 HOWARD ST	GOOD-FAIR
VILLAGE INN #787	7837 DODGE ST	GOOD-FAIR
VINCENZO'S RISTORANTE	1818-22 NO 144 ST	GOOD-FAIR
WHEATFIELD'S EATERY-BAKERY	1224 SO 103 ST	GOOD-FAIR
WOHLNERS GROCERY	5205 LEAVENWORTH ST	GOOD-FAIR

Rating List Information
RATINGS OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS ARE BASED ON SANITATION PRACTICES AND FOOD HANDLING PROCEDURES OBSERVED ON THE DATE OF INSPECTION. THIS LIST CONTAINS THE RATING OF THE MOST RECENT ROUTINE INSPECTION COMPLETED.

AN ESTABLISHMENT MAY NOT BE LISTED FOR SEVERAL REASONS, SUCH AS AN ESTABLISHMENT WHICH HAS BEEN RECENTLY OPENED, AN ESTABLISHMENT TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR REPAIR, ETC., OR THE ESTABLISHMENT’S FAILURE TO MEET MINIMUM SANITATION REQUIREMENTS.

ALL NEW ESTABLISHMENTS ARE GIVEN AN INITIAL RATING NO HIGHER THAN "GOOD" AND MAY MOVE TO A HIGHER SANITATION RATING ON SUBSEQUENT INSPECTIONS.

UNANNOUNCED INSPECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED ON A ROUTINE BASIS. SANITATION RATINGS ARE BASED UPON A STANDARDIZED STATEWIDE INSPECTION SYSTEM. ITEMS OF GREATEST IMPORTANCE INCLUDE SAFE FOOD SOURCE AND STORAGE, PROPER FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL, EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND PERSONAL HYGIENE PRACTICES, CLEANING AND SANITATION PRACTICES, FACILITY AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE. OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE FLY AND VERMIN CONTROL, LIGHTING, VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY, HANDLING/STORAGE OF UTENSILS, AND WASTE DISPOSAL.

EXCELLENT RATINGS MEAN THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT UNDERSTANDS AND ROUTINELY CORRECTS SANITATION DEFICIENCIES ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS AND DOES NOT WAIT FOR A HEALTH INSPECTION BEFORE DOING SO. IN ADDITION, AT LEAST 75 PERCENT OF THE EMPLOYEES AND MANAGEMENT OF AN EXCELLENT FOOD ESTABLISHMENT MUST HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING COURSE GIVEN BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

EXCELLENT-GOOD RATINGS MEAN THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT ROUTINELY CORRECTS MOST SANITATION DEFICIENCIES AND IMMEDIATELY CORRECTS THE MINOR VIOLATIONS FOUND AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.

GOOD RATINGS MEAN THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT GENERALLY CORRECTS MOST SANlTATION DEFICIENCIES ON A ROUTINE BASIS AND CORRECTS VIOLATIONS FOUND AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION IN THE TIME ALLOWED BY THE INSPECTING HEALTH OFFICER.

GOOD-FAIR RATINGS MEAN THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT JUST MEETS MINIMUM STANDARDS REQUIRED BY STATE AND LOCAL FOOD SAFETY CODES. SERIOUS AND MINOR SANITATION DEFICIENCIES ARE FOUND ON EACH INSPECTION. SANITATION DEFICIENCIES ARE NOT CORRECTED ON A ROUTINE BASIS AND REPEAT INSPECTIONS ARE OFTEN A NECESSARY PART OF REGULATING THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO HELP ASSURE MINIMUM FOOD SAFETY CONDITIONS.

RELATED LINKS:
2006 Health Ratings - Omaha, NE
Douglas County Food Facility Sanitation Ratings

Tags || HEALTH | RATINGS | 2007 | OMAHA | DOUGLAS COUNTY | FOOD | more... | GFC |

Labels: NEBRASKA, NOTICE, OMAHA

4 Comments:

I think what's most surprising and infuriating about the whole thing is that there's no "poor" rating, nor are we ever told if/when a place is shut down. How can anything be "excellent" if nothing's "poor?"

Moreover, you still don't get the level of detail you need to make an informed opinion. It would be ideal to see what the infractions were. It's one thing if the kitchen staff drink out of cups with no lids (an infraction) and something else entirely if chicken or other meat is left laying around at room temperature.

By Anonymous, at Friday, February 01, 2008 9:50:00 AM
I believe "GOOD-FAIR" is the lowest passing grade. If you score a poor, they shut you down. I believe that's what happened in the case of China One. And you're right, if a place is closed for violations, it should be part of this list. I think they may not have added those because it rarely happens (twice in 5 years).

I also think that the types of infractions count differently. I would expect a protein temperature infraction to count more heavily than minor infractions. If you look at the requirements for a "EXCELLENT-GOOD" rating, it doesn't sound like you can achieve this score with a major violation that poses serious health risks.

I agree that it would be nice to have electronic copies available of each report, but I imagine it's cost prohibitive to do so. They are, however, public records, so if you would like more detail about a particular restaurant, try contacting the DCHD.

By snekse, at Friday, February 01, 2008 10:10:00 AM
please note that to receive an "excellent" rating, 75% of your staff must be serv-safe certified. this is a great idea in theory, unfortunately, serv safe certification doesn't really mean that much. it's basically an 8 hour class that teaches you not to pick your nose and make a salad. it's unfortunate because there are restaurants that deep clean their kitchens with toothbrushes that get the "good/fair" rating while the people that own the deli down the street and are keeping their pulled pork at 95 degrees every day are getting the same rating. it's a pretty messed up scale if you ask me.

By Anonymous, at Sunday, February 10, 2008 11:33:00 PM
Strange...wonder why I can't find a Sarpy County site for food establishments...Omaha isn't just Douglas County...

By Anonymous, at Friday, April 04, 2008 9:40:00 PM