The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

Main menu

STAY CONNECTED

Public health officials honor 10 high-scoring restaurants

Ten Oak Park restaurants received awards from the Oak Park Department of Public Health and Board of Health in recognition of their food service sanitation efforts.

The 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 a field of 79 eligible food service establishments, their scores based on a 45-point inspection survey.

Restaurants earning this award had sanitation scores that are the best in Oak Park, according to local public health officials. They said the establishments have demonstrated that they take food protection seriously and have made food safety and sanitation practices a priority in their day-to-day business operations.

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 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 out to the exacting standards mandated by the state food service sanitation code.

The Johnson Award winners all have fairly complex food service processes. These processes require them to maintain competent management and continuous supervision of every step of their food service operations.

This is the 28th 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 e-mail health@oak-park.us.

2013 Johnson Restaurant Award Winners

  • Marion Street Grille, 189 N. Marion St.
  • Aripo’s Venezuelan Arepa House, 118 N. Marion St.
  • King & I, 105 N. Marion St.
  • Cucina Paradiso, 814 North Blvd.
  • Penny’s Noodle Shop, 1130 Chicago Ave.
  • Jerusalem Café, 1030 Lake St.
  • Buzz Café, 905 South Lombard Ave.
  • Flat Top Grill, 726 Lake St.
  • New Rebozo, 1116 Madison St.
  • Eyrie, 128 N. Oak Park Ave.