The Peoria City/County Health Department conducted routine food inspections for 116 restaurants, bars and mobile establishments in November. Of these inspections, there were 11 – roughly 9.5% – with no violations.
Elmwood Junk Food Cafe, which opened in June, was one such establishment. The restaurant also received a perfect food inspection in July.
Owner Otera Brinson said receiving no violations during routine inspections has been “fabulous.”
“I believe your establishment should be inspection ready at all times with no exceptions,” she said in a statement to the Journal Star. “Customers deserve good food, service and cleanliness at every visit.”
Situated at 102 W. Main St. in Elmwood, the restaurant serves decked out hot dogs, loaded potatoes and more.
Jerusalem Restaurant serves dishes such as chicken shawarma and falafel at 2027 W. Farmington Road, Peoria. Owner and chef Abdalraziq Foqahaa is meticulous when it comes to ensuring the restaurant is clean. He said bad health and cleaning practices and inspections can ultimately harm a restaurant.
“This (is) my business,” he said. “I don’t want to lose the business.”
Sweeping and mopping are part of the daily routine, he said, as is regularly checking and maintaining the restroom and garbage. In the kitchen, Foqahaa said he works to keep things clean as he cooks. Beyond this, he said he regularly cleans the coolers and hood.
Foqahaa said the food – and its quality – is also vitally important. He said he does not trust anyone else in the kitchen with the food.
Other establishments with no violations in November included:
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: ‘Inspection ready’: No violations at 11 Peoria businesses in November
Reporting by Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
