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.
These restaurants are recipients of the Johnson Restaurant Award, named for Oak Park’s first lunchroom that operated in the 1890s at 124 Lake St. The award is presented each year to restaurants that consistently meet or exceed state food safety standards.
This year’s Johnson Award winners were chosen from 74 eligible restaurants. 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 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 Award winners are all restaurants that have fairly complex food service processes and are 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.
2014 Johnson Award Winners
- Aripo’s Venezuelan Arepa House, 118 N. Marion St.
- Cucina Paradiso, 814 North Blvd.
- Marion Street Grille, 189 N. Marion St.
- King and I, 105 N. Marion St.
- Eyrie, 128 N. Oak Park Ave.
- Buzz Café, 905 S. Lombard Ave.
- Edwardo’s Natural Pizza, 6831 North Ave.
- Flat Top Grill, 728 Lake St.
- Boss Burrito, 1110 Westgate St.
- TGI Fridays, 401 N. Harlem Ave.