Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: City

In an effort to inform residents about the cleanliness of local restaurants, the Evanston Health Department began to post the results of its restaurant inspections, which include checks of Northwestern dining halls and Greek houses, on the city's Web site two years ago. Still, many students and residents remain unaware or apathetic about the results, despite reports in some kitchens of "insects, rodents or other animals" and other concerns.

Routine inspections are unannounced and take place up to three times per year. City inspectors rate establishments on a 100-point scale, each violation deducting one to five points based on severity. "Critical" problems include those that might cause food-borne illness, whereas "non-critical" citations include improper labeling of containers, according to the city's Web site.

At Sargent Hall's most recent inspection last May, the dining hall received four violations, including a mention of "insects, rodents or other animals." Doris Timmen, the general manager for residential dining, said the pest violation was due to fruit flies.

"It seems so dramatic, but more often than not they're referring to fruit flies, not rats or mice," she said.

Another violation involved the temperature of ham at the deli counter, Timmen said. Cold meats must remain at or below 44 degrees, one degree lower than Sargent's meat.

"It's definitely not unsafe, but it just didn't quite meet the requirements," Tinmen said.

Timmen said the university has a pest control program that treats dining halls on a regular basis, and more frequently if an infestation is found.

SodexhoUSA, NU's food service company, also contracts with another company that performs one to two inspections each year, Timmen said.

"I find them tougher than the health inspection," she said.

Several city restaurants also received citations, including Dixie Kitchen, 825 Church St., which was cited for a pest violation in its most recent inspection. The restaurant changed its practices after receiving a poor evaluation, said manager Brad Pirrello.

Continued...

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