Hey, is a customer legally allowed to enter the kitchen of a restaurant? In the US and the UK.?

Question

I am interested to know if a customer has the legal right to enter the kitchen, to see whether or not it is clean etc.

Answer 1

No, not unless you want spit or other barfy things in your food. Did you ever see that one nasty movie about that? EWWW!!! I can feel my stomach turning.... I think I'm onna barf just thinking about it all!

Answer 2

No, US customers are not legally allowed in kitchen.  It is private property; only personnel allowed.  Additionally, it would be a health code violation if you do so.  Proper clothing, hair-net, apron, and shoes, etc is required.  Liability is involved; perhaps u slipped in kitchen (incompatible shoe material against water/food).  

if u are concerned about food handling etc, u can speak with manager.  be aware that there is a fine line between unsanitary and normal kitchen mess.  

it's like ur household kitchen, there will be bits of breadcrumbs here and there but at the end of the day, it must be cleaned up.

Answer 3

For health code and insurance reasons this is not allowed in any commercial kitchens that I am aware of.

Answer 4

no way try though see how nice chefs are buddy

Answer 5

No, they are not.  The restaurant should have a grade posted issued by the health department which is to be kept in a 'visable' area.  It is usually behind the register/host.  You could also check the local paper.  The paper will post any restaurants in violation of the health code.

Answer 6

Legally, the restaurant is private property- so it's up to the management to decide.  You could ask them if you could go back, but chances are they will say no.

First of all, perhaps certain attire is required in the kitchen (such as a hairnet).  Secondly, they have a legal liability if anything were to happen to you.  If you slipped and fell, burnt yourself, etc.  For safety reasons, they will probably say no.

If you try to go back to investigate the cleanliness without permission they have every right to kick you out.

Answer 7

Not covered by insurance if something happens to them in the kitchen.

Answer 8

NO! Its not legal for customers to enter the kitchen, its either a health code violation or a safety/insurance issue in the US( I'm not 100% sure which). If you want to compliment the cook they will generally come out of the kitchen to talk to you because of this. I've worked in a restaurant for two years and family and friends are only allowed to come as far as the door to the kitchen, customers aren't even allowed behind the counter.

Answer 9

Not unless the proprietor allows them too. These are privately owned sole proprietorship's and the reserve the right to refuse service and can throw you out if they want.

Answer 10

no legal right,but most places you can ask management to see,if they refuse you to peek in,theres probley a reason....

Answer 11

It is "Illegal" to just randomly walk into the kitchen without permission, or to just barge in.  However there are other things you can do.  If you are just wanting to be really careful before eating somewhere you can ask the waiter/tress to speak to a manager/owner of the restraunt.  Then from there you can ask to get a copy of any recent health inspections.  You can ask what there health rating is and ask for there health card.  If all else fails generally you can ask the manager if you acn (with supervision) swifly visit the back of the restraunt (kitchen area) and then you can quickly overview the work areas and look at the kitchen area.  Just glance along the floor for obvious bug infestations, look through whatever pieces of food you are able to see, check and make sure anyone handling the food has there gloves on, whatever.  Ask the manager to provide you with some details on there food handling policies. You would be surprised how well they'll work with you for a potential, especially a potential long term customer).

I have even done similiar things in other types of establishments.

Answer 12

I don't see why not, but it might be a good idea to inform the manager or waiter first

Answer 13

My guess would be no.

Answer 14

It is not illegal for a customer to enter the kitchen, but I don't believe you have the legal right to do so. In most cases, you would not be allowed to enter the kitchen because of liability issues resulting from slipping on a wet/greasy floor or being accidentally burned or otherwise injured. If you asked to see the kitchen, most restaurants  would probably show you their most recent health department inspection.

Part of the reason for this is because the average customer would not know the difference between a normal mess resulting from the flow of work and a generally dirty and/or unsanitary kitchen.

Answer 15

It is against US health code. The owner of the restaurant could be fined up to $1000.00 if he is reported and convicted. Not sure about the UK