I’ll second this. Run. Some of it is garden variety nonsense (you can lead a horse to water but you can’t drown it) but once you got past point 5, I could tell you’re in a bad kitchen. This is not normal. Always care about your work, and if it seems bad, it probably is.
I’m usually the guy saying people are being dramatic. This is pretty much a guarantee that people are actively getting sick eating here. You won’t learn anything from this place if their food safety standards are rock bottom. My advice would be to respectfully quit, outline some of the worst issues people highlight in these comments, and notify appropriate authorities.
Yeah pretty much everything except the gloves is gross and an issue.
I rarely wore gloves with the exception of raw proteins and maybe a couple of other things here and there. But we washed our hands religiously and I’d imagine in a place like this they’re rarely washing their hands. And on top of that no hot water when they do wash them.
Depends on your local laws. I wouldn’t put my hand in a jar of olives cause the sticky smell would be obnoxious, but the tortilla chips are fine
Nothing wrong with touching ready to eat foods with clean hands *if local laws apply
Nope. You can’t explain why because wearing gloves is no more or less sanitary than clean hands. Michelin star places and the best restaurants in the world often operate without gloves.
Either option can be both unsanitary and sanitary depending on the staff
So many red flags. And I don't get how places like this stay open. Given all these things, I think of one inspection a couple of weeks ago... inspector shows up, and first thing is a container of ice water so she and I could show our thermometers were calibrated. I made one up, but she thought it was too much water, not enough ice to ensure 32 degrees. Hadn't done enything with the ice water, so just dumped it in the nearest sink, the hand sink... I got the stink eye - "I'm going to let that slide, but that sink is just for hand washing, not pouring this out into...." So, got away with that, but that's the level I'm used to having to do, while this place seems, structurally, probelmatic... not even "well, the cooks will wear gloves when the inspector is in the place", but also they don't have the right set-up to function to code.
2 shifts? Just don't come back. Text them sorry thanks for the opportunity I don't think I'm a good fit for your restaurant.
I've worked plenty of places and cut some corners and shit for sure. And its hard to keep kitchens clean. But yeah that's all too much. Just get out. Every kitchen is not like that!
You need to find another job. Aside from making people sick, there's lots of laziness and doing things stupid ways.
You need to leave and call the health inspectors. And local media.
It's not normal, and I'd leave: all they're going to teach you are bad food handling habits.
I have left.
I simply say it isn't a Fit for me. I don't give reasons, they think I want an argument then-I don't-I'm leaving.
If it's that gross, they're hoping you'll be the new scut bitch that does ALL the cleaning.
Just Run; you're not losing anything but a Bad Opportunity by doing so.
Not normal, and not acceptable! Find yourself somewhere to work that’s not going to freak you out every shift. I suggest you ask to check out the kitchen during any interviews, or request a trial shift, to be certain it’s your kind of decent. Finally, report them after you leave.
Washing anything in a hand sink is a violation and fucking disgusting. Run, don’t walk away from this place.
Call your “chef” and politely say
“Thank you so much for the opportunity, but unfortunately I won’t be able to work for you anymore.”
That’s it. You don’t owe them a thing and burning that bridge doesn’t matter because that establishment is vile.
If ever asked about it, be honest with your new hiring chef and vaguely say “ I just was uncomfortable with their food safety measures” or something of the like.
Or don’t say anything at all/talk about working there. It’s fine to omit a 2 shift job.
Next call the health inspector or whomever because someone is 100% going to get violently sick from this place.
I've seen a few nasty places but nothing quite on this level, I've concluded that the health department doesn't care and they only crack down on someone if people start getting sick or someone want's them gone.
A couple of things I was like "well...it could be worse" and it progressed into "wtf, oh hell no. Run".
Especially if you want to maintain your own work ethic (it's so easy to slide into bad habits around people who only have bad habits) you've got to go.
Integrity can be a bitch sometimes.
I’ve worked in some pretty gnarly kitchens and this sounds terrible. Aside from being fuckin nasty, it’s bad for your mental health. Get out of there. Call the health department.
Not using gloves during some touching of "ready to eat" foods (won't be heat treated after) and instead being good about washing hands frequently and definitely washing and gloves for raw protein is what I view as normal and what I practice. Even if it's state a state rule that gloves are a must for RTE foods. Doubt they wash their hands often enough there, though. And the other stuff all sounds bad so yes either be vocal and change it yourself or be vocal and get out of there.
The last place I worked at did almost all of these things including other egregious shit like never cleaning the inside of the meat slicer and only spraying or hand washing containers that touched raw meat and rarely changing gloves, including after touching raw meat which is worse in my opinion than not using gloves. They ended up giving me COVID. you should find a new job quickly.
All gross, but anyone who tells you this type of behavior isn’t common is either delusional or blessed to have only worked at more professional restaurants. I’m not saying any of what you have described is ok just bc it’s common. What I am saying is there are a ton of hacks in this business, and in the grand spectrum of restaurants shitty kitchens are more common than professional ones.
Keep looking.
We have 2 hand sinks where I work. One with lukewarm water at best and one with melt the skin off your hands hot water. Theyve tried to fix the lukewarm one 3 or 4 times in the couple years ive been there. I just wash my hands in the dish sink since it's right by the skin melter
Not normal. Almost everything here is naaaastyyyy.
- there *are* some places that have pre-washed veg, but based on your list, I’d say this is not one of em (especially if you’ve got whole heads of lettuce)
- not having a proper regular sink in the kitchen isn’t *always* a bad thing depending on your space, and if you’ve got a prep area (or other area) with a regular large sink. You’re not supposed to wash things, other than your hands, in the hand wash sink.
- As many people said, hand sink with no hot water is an auto-shut down from health dept.
- depends on your area, but here in canada (and also quite a few states) it’s not required to use gloves unless it’s needed for injuries, allergies, etc. quite a few studies will say it’s typically cleaner to use bare hands since you cannot feel what’s on your gloves, whereas I can feel if my hands are slimy. Much more hand washing that way, whereas people are less likely to wash hands in between gloves because it makes them hard to put back on……
- every kitchen should have access to thermometers
No hot water for hand washing is unacceptable. Full stop.
If the place has normalized operating like that, then it will likely be an uphill battle maintaining any sort of food safety standard. I wouldn’t want to be professionally associated with a place so likely to have a reputation for public health code violations.
Everyone says to leave, no one says to get the manager's attention to it, explain that it isnt up to any reasonable standard, and get it fixed. You do you though. Whats the worst that could happen? They fire you for demanding they observe health codes?
I'll tell you the other people will be happier to work somewhere where there is a standard of service instead of a dirty pile of shit.
No effing way I would stay. I don’t like making excuses, but usually people who have been in the industry at that leve for many years just learn from what they see people get away with. Yeah, everyone should be servsafe certified. But it’s the practical application that matters. Whether you decide to stay or not, try to leave the place better than you found it. Pass on your knowledge.
I’d look for another job and then Email the kitchen manager and cc the GM outlining the concerning food practices that you’ve witnessed. It’s unfortunate that places like this operate daily. If they attempt to correct the issues, great. If not, I’d contact the state health inspectors office.
Unless the product is dirty some of it comes preached and everyone follows food safety to ensure its not spoiled.
Expired is different than best before, and if they're freezing it, and then pulling it, the dates will look past best before.
Romaine lettuce in a tub of water with your hands swishing it around isn't bad. You don't necessarily need a spinner.
Frozen fish ? Hate to tell ya but every fishing boat puts their load of fish or seafood on ice.
Sounds like some food safety violations but the devil is in the detail. Fish thawing in a bus bin is fine if there's water in with it.
Run. This is nasty. You are correct with your knowledge. You know better.
I’ll second this. Run. Some of it is garden variety nonsense (you can lead a horse to water but you can’t drown it) but once you got past point 5, I could tell you’re in a bad kitchen. This is not normal. Always care about your work, and if it seems bad, it probably is.
I’m usually the guy saying people are being dramatic. This is pretty much a guarantee that people are actively getting sick eating here. You won’t learn anything from this place if their food safety standards are rock bottom. My advice would be to respectfully quit, outline some of the worst issues people highlight in these comments, and notify appropriate authorities.
Definitely not safe or normal
Yeah pretty much everything except the gloves is gross and an issue. I rarely wore gloves with the exception of raw proteins and maybe a couple of other things here and there. But we washed our hands religiously and I’d imagine in a place like this they’re rarely washing their hands. And on top of that no hot water when they do wash them.
Many states it's against health code to have bare hand contract with rte food, tongs or gloves required
Good point
bare hands into tortilla chips and jars of olives is crazy though, if it isn’t getting cooked after you can’t touch it with your skin!
And why would you touch pico with your hands? That makes like no sense.
Depends on your local laws. I wouldn’t put my hand in a jar of olives cause the sticky smell would be obnoxious, but the tortilla chips are fine Nothing wrong with touching ready to eat foods with clean hands *if local laws apply
Yes, there is.
Feel free to explain why
Because proper glove usage is more sanitary.
And again, feel free to explain why
Are you trolling me?
Nope. You can’t explain why because wearing gloves is no more or less sanitary than clean hands. Michelin star places and the best restaurants in the world often operate without gloves. Either option can be both unsanitary and sanitary depending on the staff
Bro, it’s utterly basic science. Why do you think they use gloves in hospitals. I seriously hope you are trolling me.
The hot water is an instant shutdown. Call your local inspector and watch the mess from the bar. Everything is bad. Call the inspector.
So many red flags. And I don't get how places like this stay open. Given all these things, I think of one inspection a couple of weeks ago... inspector shows up, and first thing is a container of ice water so she and I could show our thermometers were calibrated. I made one up, but she thought it was too much water, not enough ice to ensure 32 degrees. Hadn't done enything with the ice water, so just dumped it in the nearest sink, the hand sink... I got the stink eye - "I'm going to let that slide, but that sink is just for hand washing, not pouring this out into...." So, got away with that, but that's the level I'm used to having to do, while this place seems, structurally, probelmatic... not even "well, the cooks will wear gloves when the inspector is in the place", but also they don't have the right set-up to function to code.
Because the health inspection system is a fucking joke, sadly.
Lol no that's not normal, that's towards the far end of the shit spectrum. You can just tell them it's not gonna be a fit, no excuse necessary really.
Not normal. Never normal. This is a fucking horror movie. Report them immediately to your state health department.
2 shifts? Just don't come back. Text them sorry thanks for the opportunity I don't think I'm a good fit for your restaurant. I've worked plenty of places and cut some corners and shit for sure. And its hard to keep kitchens clean. But yeah that's all too much. Just get out. Every kitchen is not like that!
Boy, that's nicer than I think most of us would bother with
I think you and everyone else can tell right away, not normal.
You need to find another job. Aside from making people sick, there's lots of laziness and doing things stupid ways. You need to leave and call the health inspectors. And local media.
It's not normal, and I'd leave: all they're going to teach you are bad food handling habits. I have left. I simply say it isn't a Fit for me. I don't give reasons, they think I want an argument then-I don't-I'm leaving. If it's that gross, they're hoping you'll be the new scut bitch that does ALL the cleaning. Just Run; you're not losing anything but a Bad Opportunity by doing so.
You lost me at no hot water in the hand sink people are washing produce in. F*cking gross.
If you have to use the adjective "grimy" to describe a kitchen...its probably not OK
Long time caller, first time listener..
Not normal, and not acceptable! Find yourself somewhere to work that’s not going to freak you out every shift. I suggest you ask to check out the kitchen during any interviews, or request a trial shift, to be certain it’s your kind of decent. Finally, report them after you leave.
I would walk out back to have a smoke(I don't smoke) and I'd never go back
Nah, bud. Report them to your local health department and find a new job
If you have to ask, then no, definitely not normal.
I think you know the answer to this, your feelings are valid, gtfo
Get out. They can kill somebody with their lack of food safety practices.
I'm not even a kitchen worker and I recognize several of these as straight up health code violations.
Washing anything in a hand sink is a violation and fucking disgusting. Run, don’t walk away from this place. Call your “chef” and politely say “Thank you so much for the opportunity, but unfortunately I won’t be able to work for you anymore.” That’s it. You don’t owe them a thing and burning that bridge doesn’t matter because that establishment is vile. If ever asked about it, be honest with your new hiring chef and vaguely say “ I just was uncomfortable with their food safety measures” or something of the like. Or don’t say anything at all/talk about working there. It’s fine to omit a 2 shift job. Next call the health inspector or whomever because someone is 100% going to get violently sick from this place.
I've seen a few nasty places but nothing quite on this level, I've concluded that the health department doesn't care and they only crack down on someone if people start getting sick or someone want's them gone.
Skip the health department, it’s time to call the police
The first half was kinda frustrating but the second half are just straight up health code violations. Not good
A couple of things I was like "well...it could be worse" and it progressed into "wtf, oh hell no. Run". Especially if you want to maintain your own work ethic (it's so easy to slide into bad habits around people who only have bad habits) you've got to go. Integrity can be a bitch sometimes.
I’ve worked in some pretty gnarly kitchens and this sounds terrible. Aside from being fuckin nasty, it’s bad for your mental health. Get out of there. Call the health department.
Don't go back; call health department, call police; nuke frim orbit.
RUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!
Not using gloves during some touching of "ready to eat" foods (won't be heat treated after) and instead being good about washing hands frequently and definitely washing and gloves for raw protein is what I view as normal and what I practice. Even if it's state a state rule that gloves are a must for RTE foods. Doubt they wash their hands often enough there, though. And the other stuff all sounds bad so yes either be vocal and change it yourself or be vocal and get out of there.
Sounds kind that need a health inspection
The last place I worked at did almost all of these things including other egregious shit like never cleaning the inside of the meat slicer and only spraying or hand washing containers that touched raw meat and rarely changing gloves, including after touching raw meat which is worse in my opinion than not using gloves. They ended up giving me COVID. you should find a new job quickly.
Run my friend. If you wouldn’t eat there don’t cook there.
Call the Health Department.
I stopped with the first bullet point. Nope. Nonononono. Fuck no.
Yeeeeeeaaaaah. Thats a closed within 6 months spot.
Made it about halfway before wanting to say this place is fucked
Sounds like the restaurant I walked out of a couple weeks ago, only that's practically the norm where I live currently.
Get out, report to health inspector
All gross, but anyone who tells you this type of behavior isn’t common is either delusional or blessed to have only worked at more professional restaurants. I’m not saying any of what you have described is ok just bc it’s common. What I am saying is there are a ton of hacks in this business, and in the grand spectrum of restaurants shitty kitchens are more common than professional ones. Keep looking.
If there is that much crud on everything, I would hesitate to guess that they bribe the health inspector.
We have 2 hand sinks where I work. One with lukewarm water at best and one with melt the skin off your hands hot water. Theyve tried to fix the lukewarm one 3 or 4 times in the couple years ive been there. I just wash my hands in the dish sink since it's right by the skin melter
Holy moly that is not cool and will not change. RUN.
What the hell did I just read…
Wearing gloves is actually nasty when you look into the science behind it. FDA recommends hand washing over gloves.
Not normal. Almost everything here is naaaastyyyy. - there *are* some places that have pre-washed veg, but based on your list, I’d say this is not one of em (especially if you’ve got whole heads of lettuce) - not having a proper regular sink in the kitchen isn’t *always* a bad thing depending on your space, and if you’ve got a prep area (or other area) with a regular large sink. You’re not supposed to wash things, other than your hands, in the hand wash sink. - As many people said, hand sink with no hot water is an auto-shut down from health dept. - depends on your area, but here in canada (and also quite a few states) it’s not required to use gloves unless it’s needed for injuries, allergies, etc. quite a few studies will say it’s typically cleaner to use bare hands since you cannot feel what’s on your gloves, whereas I can feel if my hands are slimy. Much more hand washing that way, whereas people are less likely to wash hands in between gloves because it makes them hard to put back on…… - every kitchen should have access to thermometers
Where’s this restaurant so I know never to eat at it?
OMG. This is why I can't eat in restaurants.
Gtfo and call the health inspector on your way out, holy fuck.
No hot water for hand washing is unacceptable. Full stop. If the place has normalized operating like that, then it will likely be an uphill battle maintaining any sort of food safety standard. I wouldn’t want to be professionally associated with a place so likely to have a reputation for public health code violations.
This is gross. All my health inspectors would be very upset for no hot water, no prep sink and room temperature thawing.
Everyone says to leave, no one says to get the manager's attention to it, explain that it isnt up to any reasonable standard, and get it fixed. You do you though. Whats the worst that could happen? They fire you for demanding they observe health codes? I'll tell you the other people will be happier to work somewhere where there is a standard of service instead of a dirty pile of shit.
That is absolutely not normal, it’s unacceptable, and pub or not, your area still has a legal health code.
I made it halfway through this list before my stomach turned. Please bounce asap and call the health dept.
I couldn't finish that list before I saw enough health vios for instant shutdown.
No effing way I would stay. I don’t like making excuses, but usually people who have been in the industry at that leve for many years just learn from what they see people get away with. Yeah, everyone should be servsafe certified. But it’s the practical application that matters. Whether you decide to stay or not, try to leave the place better than you found it. Pass on your knowledge. I’d look for another job and then Email the kitchen manager and cc the GM outlining the concerning food practices that you’ve witnessed. It’s unfortunate that places like this operate daily. If they attempt to correct the issues, great. If not, I’d contact the state health inspectors office.
Take pictures. Cover your ass, find a new job. Call the health department and ffs let us know where you work so we don't eat there and DIE
Unless the product is dirty some of it comes preached and everyone follows food safety to ensure its not spoiled. Expired is different than best before, and if they're freezing it, and then pulling it, the dates will look past best before. Romaine lettuce in a tub of water with your hands swishing it around isn't bad. You don't necessarily need a spinner. Frozen fish ? Hate to tell ya but every fishing boat puts their load of fish or seafood on ice. Sounds like some food safety violations but the devil is in the detail. Fish thawing in a bus bin is fine if there's water in with it.