Automatic Seafood, COOK OUT, Luna received 95 and above food service scores in Jan.

Author Pat Byington – February 3, 2021February 3, 2021

Several Birmingham area restaurants including Automatic Seafood and Oysters in Lakeview, the newly opened COOK OUT and Avondale’s Luna Latin Cuisine received 95 and above on their health inspection scores in January 2021.

As a public service, since 2018, Bham Now has reported monthly Jefferson County Department of Health restaurant scores. In January, over 100 local establishments that handle and serve food were inspected by the health department. These places include: restaurants, schools, nursing homes, daycare centers, hospitals, grocery stores and concession stands.

In this story we feature local restaurants that scored 95 and above.

Where Did We Get the Scores?

Food service inspection scores are updated regularly on the Jefferson County Department of Health website. The database is easy to access and it goes back several years.We estimate approximately 10-15% of the restaurant inspections score 95 or above, while most local school cafeterias, for example tend to score 95 or above. 

Who made the local restaurant honor roll this month? Here are some notable local establishments: 

Talk about making a splash! Get it? Automatic Seafood and Oysters was named a James Beard Finalist for best new restaurant in 2020. That’s like being named an Oscar nominee for best actor/actress for your first movie role. As you can see, not only is their food and service fantastic, so is their health inspection score.

COOK OUT on 24th Street – 100

Birmingham’s 2nd COOK OUT franchise opened in January 2021 on 24th Street South. The burger and shake joint is a favorite of Mayor Randall Woodfin who famously asked the North Carolina based company to consider locating here in the Magic City in a tweet. They did.  And now 2 1/2 years later we’ve got two COOK OUTs.  Let’s raise a glass of Cheerwine!

Luna Latin Cuisine – 97

Looking for Venezulean cuisine? Check out Luna Latin Cuisine in the Avondale neighborhood across from Avondale Brewery. It’s latin comfort food at its best. Have a meal and a cocktail in an old firehouse. 

Additional 95 and above scores:

Jubilee Joe’s Cajun Seafood – 96

Baha Burger in Hoover- 96

Tazikis on Overton – 97

Ore Mercantile – 97

Santos in downtown Bham – 95

Bama Hot Dogs – 97

Ore Mercantile – 97

Right to Know

Visit Jefferson County Department of Health’s Food Service website for the latest scores. These food service inspections are invaluable and help keep us all safe. It is our right to know.

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