12/04/07
Where to Lunch with Director Briley? -
Categories: At Monday's Council work session, we had a thorough briefing from Richard Briley, Managing Director of the Health and Code Departments, on department activities and advancements over the last year. I've joked (but with a degree of seriousness) that having lunch with Richard means eating at a restaurant that scored at least 90 on its most recent food service inspection.
As we were learning that the recent average food service inspection score was about 80%, I couldn't help but think of a new feature in The Garland News: Garland Restaurant Scores. The News will publish scores that are below 60 as gathered from the scores for all restaurants, day care facilities, schools, fast food restaurants, and more, posted on the Health Services Restaurant Inspection Scores page at the City of Garland website. This week's article listed 24 businesses that failed to achieve that threshhold. Only two were below the 50 range. Incredibly, one restaurant downtown on N Garland Ave, Grandy's, scored only 35. I trust this is a score before new management took control of the property and started their improvements. I've heard numerous comments complimenting the change.
Very few restaurants in District 1 made the News' naughty list and I sincerely hope the incidents were single-time anomalies that were quickly corrected. From District 1:
| Restaurant | Address | Score |
| CiCi's Pizza | 2936 Lavon |
|
| Spring Creek Barbeque | 335 N George Bush Tollway |
|
| Outback Steakhouse | 4902 N Hwy 190 |
58
|
Although not in District 1, I was also distressed to see listed the new Texas Land & Cattle Restaurant near Bass Pro and the Target Deli & Bakery on N Garland Ave.
In the opposite direction, it is especially comforting to see who has been judged among the cleanest: Oak Park Day School (99 87), Luna Elementary (98 100), Lister Elementary (96), Oak Hill Day School (95 97), Garland High School (100 86) [not in District 1 but many District 1 students attend GHS], CVS Pharmacy/Lavon (97 94), to name just a few and in no particular order. That so many of the GISD schools score among the highest in the city is great!
I suggest not taking any of these scores as a final judgment but allow that we have a strong inspection department and any of these businesses can have a "bad day." Just as important would be to ask why they received a low score and let them know you care enough to be aware of their scores. We all benefit then and they have an opportunity to improve. Take time to check the Health Department's postings as scores are likely to change 3-4 times per year.
For a quick evaluation of any food facility without having to check the website, just ask Richard to lunch and check his reaction.
UPDATE: (12/4) I received this additional information from Jay Jones, owner and publisher of The Garland News:
Next week, we will be posting the restaurants that averaged less than 60 for the health department's fiscal year ending Sept. 30. We'll also post the restaurants whose scores were in the top 5% for fiscal year ending Sept. 30. Each month, we'll post those restaurants with scores less than 60. thanks. jay
UPDATE 2: (12/5) Mr Briley supplied additional information for my post that is important to know:
Thanks for mentioning that often times a low score can be a "bad day". It doesn't excuse it, but it explains the score. Another important point is that all of the food service establishments are rechecked by the Health Specialist until they come into full compliance; they are just not given a score on these follow-up inspections. If they are open, I would be confident eating there. [Emphasis added.]
UPDATE 3: (12/5) Checking online, many of the scores have changed. I've updated those businesses that I referenced to their latest scores. It is obvious that scores fluctuate between inspections. Not noted above because their score was not given, the Target Deli & Bakery on N Garland Ave now has a score of 76. I've updated all scores as of today, but I won't be updating the scores in this post after today.
Comments:
The last time I went there, in an emergency drive-through meal attempt, I ended up leaving in an outrage. The young man in charge laughed when I told him I'd be calling his boss and said, "You go right ahead. He's my dad."
I like Grandy's as a chain, but that particular restaurant is an embarrassment to Garland.
01/14/08 @ 06:58 
