One-Star Restaurant

A One-Star restaurant provides a distinctive experience through culinary specialty, local flair or individual atmosphere. Service is cordial and efficient, servers are neatly attired and good housekeeping is maintained.

Restaurant Products

  • Any foods in display equipment will be fresh and appetizing in appearance
  • All equipment is very hygienic
  • Buffets or other self-service areas are hygienic, convenient and professionally presented
  • Any foods provided in buffets have a fresh, colorful and appetizing appearance
  • Buffets are well-stocked with foods, condiments and serving utensils

Restaurant Facilities

  • Self-parking area (if belonging to restaurant), free of debris, garbage and in good condition including surfaces, curbs and paths
  • All outdoor walkways and approaches are well-maintained and cleaned
  • Outdoor awnings, signs, marquees, flags and plantings clean and in good condition
  • Reception and common areas (corridors, waiting area) floors, walls and ceilings clean and free of debris, damage, visible wear  and marks
  • Temperature is comfortable throughout entire dining and common areas
  • Food pick-up area, corridors and doorways from kitchen are well-organized and hygienic in appearance
  • Floors throughout the dining area are in good condition, free of notable damage and wear
  • Floors throughout the dining area are very clean, free of soil build-up and debris
  • Dining room walls, partitions and ceilings, especially those adjacent to dining tables, are clean and hygienic
  • Music system, if in use, at appropriate volume and clear sound, free of distortion and static
  • Dining tables present a very clean and hygienic appearance
  • Dining chairs present a very clean and hygienic appearance
  • Lighting is adequate to permit easy reading of menu
  • The tops of tables have a consistent appearance and are neat
  • Clean paper napkins, if used, of superior thickness and quality
  • Menus are clean and in good condition, not excessively worn, easy to read

Restaurant Service

  • Services are adequate, efficient and cordial and able to meet customer needs
  • All staff encountered are helpful to guests
  • Food is served in a way that is easy to eat or transport
  • Payment is convenient and guest is thanked after transaction is completed

Examples of One-Star restaurants include:

Virgil's Real Barbecue, New York NY
Mabel's Lobster Claw, Kennebunkport ME
The Smokey Pig, Ashland VA
Mystic Pizza, Mystic CT
Goode Company Texas Bar-B-Q, Houston TX

For information on the Two-Star Restaurant criteria see the next section.