Is there a good way to tell if a Chinese restaurant is sanitary?

Question

I've seen some horror stories about Chinese restaurants, but I still like (good) Chinese food. There is one place in the college town here that is popular with the Chinese students, but they order food that is not on the menu in Chinese. The food on the regular menu is pretty bad. The lo mein is made with Spaghetti.

I get the idea that SOME chinese places have no concept of food hygene. Buffets are reheated for days without proper cooling down. This Youtube video was pretty scary:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ge5YTo0QxEg

And yes, the restaurant was still open even after they caught them doing this!!

Answer 1

As long as the cat they serve is Kosher, you're okay!

Answer 2

Contact the local health department.  In some jurisdictons, restaurant is required to display department rating in a prominent place.

Answer 3

Here in Toronto Canada they must display there most recent health and sanitation certificate in there front window, and it also states if there has been previous violation for patrons to shy away if not sure.

I have know chinese restaurant owners and chefs, I am a former hotel chef myself, there not unsanitary, but some will take a less orderly way of cleaning and they prefer to do it at one time, after closing so things can pile up.

If there is a problem and you have witnessed it, then make a call to the local health department and notify them of your concern and the health violations you witness, we have many Chinese buffet here in Canada and and the in Toronto, they are not allowed to let food sit more than 30 minutes and must removed and completely replace it, and they are required to check the temperatures and maintain a constant 160 d F or 60 d C for safety reasons or be shut down for violating the codes.

Answer 4

Simplest method: go to the restroom.  How they maintain the toilets will tell you how they maintain the kitchen.

In California, we have letter gradings.  If not in Cali, you can always do what other posters have said, and call your local health dept and inquire about a restaurant you're interested in.

Answer 5

That's NOTHING!!!  You want to NEVER eat out again??  Get the book by Anthony Bourdain (the guy on the Travel Channel with the show No Reservations) entitled "Kitchen Confidential"........Trust me, you'll NEVER want to walk through a restaurant door again......  ;)

Christopher

Answer 6

what's your issue with chinese restaurants? if your so concerned with whether japanese people should be cooking the food and whether or not the restaurant is sanitary; then stop being a patron there and stay home and cook your own chinese food. there are tons of cook books available for that cuisine.