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Is this against health code? Setting clean plates on chairs, while busing a table, then using those

2K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  abefroman 
#1 ·
Is this against health code? Setting clean plates on chairs, while busing a table, then using those plates.

I was in a large chain restaurant, and while I was eating the bus boy brought over 2 clean sets of 4 plates for the two tables adjacent to me.  The tables were still dirty so he set the 4 plates on one chair at each of the table, bused the table, and then set the 8 appetizer plates out by each spot on the table.

I'm surprised the restaurant allows this, surely it must be against health code to set plates on the floor or a chair that someone just used and then put them on a clean table for people to eat off of.

Does anyone know if thats a violation of code?

TIA
 
#4 ·
You did not say the busboy set the plates on the floor. you said he set them on a chair. Why bring up the floor? Why would setting the plates on a chair be any less sanitary than setting them on a counter or table surface? Most people do not wear filthy clothing when they go out to eat. 

The problem is one of perception, not any actual dangers. As the other poster pointed out, there should be more concern about crumbs from the table ending up on the plates then any perceived cooties crawling up the sides of the plates from an otherwise clean chair. 
 
#7 ·
Were I a potential customer and observed that juxtaposition, I'd walk out. Virtual cooties, man. /img/vbsmilies/smilies/laser.gif /img/vbsmilies/smilies/lookaround.gif
 
#8 ·
Like so many poorly done tasks in restaurants, this practice stems from one cause...
laziness. The busboy doesn't want to make 2 trips, one to bus and one to set.
Unfortunately this stuff can go on for years if no one complains or manager doesn't get it,
But even if not a code violation, I'm sure there are health inspectors who would mention it
if they saw it-its blatantly uncouth.
 
#10 ·
TECHNICALLY, Once the  plate is touched by your hand it is contaminated as you are busing soiled pates from table. Health codes are extremely strict in some places and in others not. When I first came to Florida if you had a screen door and hot water you passed, the inspectors were guys who inspected swimming pools.   Where in New York if there was moulding missing on the wall you were cited.  Times change  Soon you will be wearing surgical mask in the kitchen guaranteed. In 60 years I have seen 100s of changes in food service and food handeling. There was a time when all handles on knives were wood , now in some states not allowed same goes for carbon steel knives.
 
#11 ·
Hi. While I'd like to assume I understand the nature of your question - simply wanting to know whether this is or ain't a violation against H&S - my attitude towards such queries is: it is a large chain restaurant, therefore I won't expect everything to be **** & span and according to all the rules. Life's too short to worry about such trivialities.
 
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