Georgians who want the skinny on what's happening in local restaurant kitchens now are only a point and click away from all the details.
The Georgia Department of Community Health has posted online all restaurant scores from establishments statewide, and diners can get the details about why a restaurant received a particular score.
"In the past, individuals would have to contact each local county health department for restaurant inspection records," said Ravae Graham, community health spokeswoman. "Most counties only provided inspection scores and not the entire report."
Graham said being able to see the reports in their entirety "allows the consumer to make an educated decision when visiting a particular establishment."
Restaurant owners, for the most part, said they welcome the transparency.
"I think everyone should keep everything up to regulations all the time anyway, and I always do, so I don't mind," said Janice Henry, who owns Caffeine Addicts, a coffee and sandwich shop in downtown Ringgold.
Georgia is joining a growing number of states that post the inspection results online. Tennessee has been doing it for several years but recently halted the postings.
"We are in contract negotiations with the company that posted the inspections," said Tennessee Department of Health spokeswoman Amanda Morris. "We should have them up again shortly, but I can't say specifically when that will happen."
At least one restaurant owner said he doubts many people will go online to view the scores, and that sometimes they might not understand the scores.
"I like seeing the scores in the newspaper so I can see what the other restaurants are doing," said John Clarich, who owns BBQ City Fort Oglethorpe and Choo-Choo Barbecue in East Ridge.
His Tennessee records and scores, for the last few years, have been published online as well as in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
"I don't think many folks will go online or use that medium to get the information," Clarich said. "But putting them up is just fine with me."
VIEW IT YOURSELF
Restaurant inspection reports now are online at www.health.state.ga.us/programs/envservices/inspections.asp