Choosing your food court option can be daunting. If you’re walking past the counter person who isn’t wearing his gloves or glancing over the condiments counter that looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in weeks, there are some telltale signs that this quick service establishment isn’t for you:
Do You See A ServSafe Certification?
Safety first should be the motto for all dining establishments, and those who abide by federal and local laws will have the documentation to prove it.
All food service establishments, regardless of whether they are quick service or full service, are required to display a ServSafe Certification somewhere visible to the public. In a busy food court establishment, this certification will be “in plain view” behind the counter. They are also required to display their most recent food inspection, conducted by the local governing authority.
If you don’t see this certification, or a recent food inspection report, you should bypass the business.
Is It Clean?
There will come a time of day when even the most strict of food establishments can expect a certain amount of chaos. For a Starbucks, for example, that may come sometime between 7 and 9 a.m. as baristas are slammed with their morning rush or a burger joint between 11:30 and 2 p.m. during a lunch rush.
During these times, you should expect that there will be some tossed napkins or straw wrappers, empty creamer carafes, and even some (fresh) messes or spills around the condiment stands. However, what you shouldn’t expect to see is crusted-on, days-old ketchup, dried-on stains, or any messes that look like they’ve been sitting for hours on end. If you find yourself staring at dirty counters, messes in the food prep areas, or old, overflowing garbage cans, keep trucking to a healthier food option.