The ABCs of Eating in San Diego

I am a confessed foodie - eating out is a favorite activity of mine, whether it be lunch, dinner or brunch. Dinner on Friday night is a nice way to start the weekend, although Sunday brunch always seems sort of decadent.

I remember being intrigued when I first starting visiting California and noticed the Health Department postings in the windows denoting whether the eatery was an A, B or C. I had no clue what that meant, but like most folks here now know that the ABCs of eating in San Diego are determined by the state Department of Environmental Health, based on inspections.

So, it's not at all like a Zagat rating. But it's an important rating scale nonetheless.

The A (90 - 100 points, substantial compliance with the law), B (80 - 89, needs improvements in structure and/or operations) and C (79 or below, which is failure - WOW, I remember in school C was average!!) signs denote the sanitation and food safety levels as determined by the most recent inspection. There are major violations, minor violations and good retail practices and these are indicated in the inspectional reports. And eateries can be closed when health hazards exist and cannot reopen until corrections are made and written permission is obtained from the department.

Guess I wouldn't want to eat sushi from a B, and certainly not a C. :)

Come to think of it, I have never been to even a B.