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Health Department to honor 10 highest scoring restaurants

April 10, 2014 - Ten Oak Park restaurants will receive awards from the Oak Park Department of Public Health and Board of Health in recognition of their food service sanitation efforts.

photograph of the Johnson Lunchroom, that operated in the 1890s on Lake StreetThe Johnson Restaurant Award, named for Oak Park’s first lunchroom that operated in the 1890s at 124 Lake St., is presented each year to restaurants that consistently meet or exceed state food safety standards.

This year’s winners were chosen from 74 eligible restaurants.

“Restaurants earning this award have achieved sanitation scores that are the best in Oak Park,” said Mike Charley, the Health Department’s environmental health supervisor. “These establishments have demonstrated that they take food protection seriously and have incorporated food safety and sanitation practices into their day-to-day business operations.”

The awards are based on scores from a 45-point inspection survey. Winning eateries are responsible for some of the most complex aspects of food service and meal preparation, including cooking, cooling, reheating and serving. Each of these processes must be carried to out to the exacting standards mandated by the Illinois State Food Service Sanitation Code.

The Health Department inspects more than 200 food service establishments in the Village every year, from day care centers to senior living facilities and traditional restaurants to cafes. These businesses are divided into three broad categories based on the complexity of their food service operations.

“The Johnson Awards winners are all restaurants that have fairly complex food service processes,” Charley said. “Because of this, they’re required to maintain competent management and continuous supervision of every step of their food service operations.”

This is the 29th year that the Johnson Restaurant Awards have been presented. Recipients receive a door decal and a recognition certificate from the Health Department.

For more information on the awards, call 708.358.5480 or email health@oak-park.us.

Johnson Restaurant Award Winners: