Dear Action Line: It occurred to me, as I recently browsed another city’s paper, that The Durango Herald used to publish health department inspection grades for restaurants. Helpful stuff, since I’ve had my share of gastro distress from establishments that had been, and maybe still are … negligent. I think it was a helpful service to keep potential customers healthy and the owners, uhhh, honest. Why was it canned? Did the city powers-that-be who are so pro-business slam the brakes on this? – Gray D’ay
Dear Gray: Before biting into the question, Action Line will point out that city councils everywhere are often pro-business because, well, those are the folks who are most motivated to run for city councils, it seems. That said, Action Line is also guessing that many Durango business people wish the council was more pro-business.
In any case, the Herald will not be ruled by city powers-that-be! In fact, when the Herald began running health inspections in the paper 15 or 20 years ago it caught a lot of flak from restaurant owners and stuck to its guns. (Action Line personally caught this flak. Ouch. Still hurts.)
More recently, the issue became one of logistics. The format that San Juan Basin Public Health began using was too time-consuming for the Herald to handle, and that’s why in February 2020 the Herald stopped printing the reports or posting them online.
Recently, the public health scene has undergone an upheaval. Locally, as of Jan. 1, San Juan Basin was replaced by La Plata County Public Health, whose Environmental Health Program is now responsible for restaurant inspections. The program also provides technical expertise and training.
You did ask a legitimate question, and Action Line, as promised, will give an actual answer, with the help of Megan Graham, who is now the county’s strategic management director.
These La Plata County restaurant inspection reports are available on the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s website: https://inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/Colorado.
“Everything is loaded in the state system,” she said.
Dear Action Line: What happened to manners? I recently went to a nice restaurant in Southwest Colorado. People wearing ball caps at the table. Ugh … poor manners. – Noah Klass
Dear Noah: Emily Post says “hats off!” As does a noted local food critic. But Durango restaurateurs may not be so adamant.
Let’s break this down.
First, let’s point out that Emily, the queen of etiquette, is a bit dead. She was born in 1872, told us all how to behave, then died in 1960 in New York City, leaving us to mind our own manners.
However, from somewhere beyond the grave, she still keeps up a website and offers advice to anyone still listening. Says Emily:
“In the ‘old days,’ men took off their hats in Christian churches, when they entered someone’s home, when greeting a boss, and always in the presence of a lady. Ladies were entirely exempt from ‘hat rules,’ wearing them whenever and wherever they wished.”
If you’re really into this, go to that site to check out when it’s OK to leave them on and when you’re supposed to remove them, such as, “in public buildings such as a school, library, courthouse, or town hall.” And, to the point, “in restaurants and coffee shops.” Same for both women and men, unless it’s a “fashion” hat.
More locally, Durango food writer Karen Brucoli Anesi agreed that hats shouldn’t be worn indoors during a meal. And she doesn’t go for the oft-used excuse: “Hey, it’s Durango.”
“It is disrespectful,” she said. “I know that Durango is a casual place and that acting respectfully goes far beyond simply removing a ball cap, but taking off your hat once you are seated at the table is a good start.
“Someone took the time to prepare a good meal for you and to serve you. Don’t they deserve the same respect you would show at a family dinner? Just as you wouldn't show up for Christmas dinner wearing your sweats and texting at the table, consider others at a restaurant who are celebrating the ambience of dining out in your presence. They, too, are worthy of being shown respect.”
(Note to self: No more sweats at Christmas dinner. Rats.)
Eating establishments are in a tough spot, not really wanting to enforce this “hats off” etiquette. It is highly doubtful any will. Durango Restaurant Association President Joel Hayes, general manager at Steamworks Brewing, offered this response:
“I haven’t had time to pool the board, but I’ll say our stance is that it’s not the hat, it’s the person wearing it. Respect comes from the actions and words that get formulated from what’s right under that hat, not the hat itself.”
And if you care what Tony Soprano thinks, google “Sopranos hat scene.” Tony definitely has an opinion.
Email questions and suggestions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. Sometimes it’s just better not to think about the gross things that your food servers might be doing, like playing hockey with frozen patties (so fun!), but that’s up to you to decide.
