Safe Restaurant Eating
Restaurants are becoming more willing to serve salad dressings and mayonnaise on the side than ever before. Do not trade with one that does not.
Most restaurants will now prepare your food broiled or baked instead of fried when you request them to do so, especially the better restaurants.
If you have a question regarding substitutions, talk to the manager directly and do not deal with the waitress.
Return any meat or poultry that is not fully cooked, this is one of the most common causes of food poisoning. The most common problems are usually in chicken and hamburger.
If you are going to eat a salad or other food from a buffet or salad bar, make sure that they are not browned or dried out before being seated.
Be sure custard, whipped cream and cream-filled desserts are refrigerated. In many of the largest buffets these are just placed out on a tray with the rest of the dessert items.
Be observant, and ask yourself the following questions when you patronize your favorite restaurants:
- Are the dishes and silverware clean?
- Are the servers in clean uniforms?
- Does the server touch the top of the glasses where you drink from?
- Can you get a straw for all beverages served in a glass?
- Is the cream for the tea or coffee kept at room temperature instead of being refrigerated?
- Are the dishes chipped or discolored? Restaurants that do not care about the little things are not too careful about cleanliness.
- Are the bathrooms clean?
- Is there dirt on the window sills? Or insect residue?
- Are the curtains or blinds clean and dust-free?
- Are the menus stained with food or have actual food residues? If so, it is best to leave while you have a chance.
- Are the condiment containers clean and not caked with any product(s)?
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