Rusty’s Bar-B-Q, Pasquale’s, Santos Coffee received 95 and above food service scores in July and August

Rustys BBQ Rusty’s Bar-B-Q, Pasquale’s, Santos Coffee received 95 and above food service scores in July and August
Photo from Rusty’s Bar-B-Q Facebook page

After a six month absence, we are back to reporting “95 and above food service scores”  at Bham Now.

In this edition, several Birmingham area food service establishments, including Rusty’s Bar-B-Q in Leeds, Pasquale’s Pizza in Gardendale and the new Santos Coffee in Hoover received 95 and above on their health inspection scores in July and August 2020..

Since 2018, we have regularly reported as a public service, monthly Jefferson County Department of Health restaurant inspection scores and written profiles featuring  local establishments that received A+ scores.

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, there are fewer inspections, and over the past two months most of the restaurants that received scores were outside the Birmingham city limits.

How are the inspections conducted?

Birmingham, Jefferson County Department of Health
Jefferson County Department of Health. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

The food service inspection scores are updated regularly on the Jefferson County Department of Health website. In this food service inspection edition, the scores were received between July to August 2020.

Here are our featured establishments.

Rusty’s Bar-B-Q in Leeds – 99

Birmingham, Rusty's Bar-B-Q, barbecue in Birmingham, BBQ in Birmingham, barbecue restaurants in Birmingham
Photo via Rusty’s Bar-B-Q.

Looking for a nationally recognized BBQ and burger joint in the Birmingham area? Make your way on over to Rusty’s over in Leeds. Both Southern Living magazine and the national digital publication Thrillist have recognized this Rusty’s for their barbeque, sauce and towering burgers.

Pasquale’s Pizza and Pasta in Gardendale – 99

Pasquales Rusty’s Bar-B-Q, Pasquale’s, Santos Coffee received 95 and above food service scores in July and August
Pasquale’s Pizza and Pasta in Gardendale. Photo from Pasquale’s Facebook page

Remember when Pasquale’s was a national chain based right here in Birmingham? According to Bhamwiki, at its height the company had 244 restaurants in 1977. The restaurant in Gardendale has been around since the 70s and continues to be a mainstay in the community.

Santos Coffee in Hoover – 96

Birmingham, Santos Coffee Co., iced coffee, cold coffee
Order up. Photo via Santos Coffee Co.’s Facebook page

I like how Bham Now producer Patience Itson recently described Santos Coffee in a guide about iced coffee.

“Providing that crop-to-cup experience, Santos Coffee is one of my personal favorites. This summer, they are wowing me with their iced lattes. Their latest creation—the iced basil lavender latte. Yes, it’s just as soul soothing as it sounds.”

Mountain Brook Creamery – 95

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Mint Chocolate Chip and C is for Cookie. Photo via Jay Connor.

If you live in Mountain Brook and surrounding communities, who hasn’t dropped in on Mountain Brook Creamery for a scoop of ice cream. Even with COVID-19 restrictions, it is still a special place to pickup a cone or a shake and stroll around peeking inside the windows around Mountain Brook Village.

Other Restaurants

darib Rusty’s Bar-B-Q, Pasquale’s, Santos Coffee received 95 and above food service scores in July and August

Great American Cookies & Marble Slab Creamery Cahaba Village – 98

Chocolate Biscuit – 99

Da Ribs Chicken Shack – 95

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill – 98

Old Smoky BBQ in Leeds – 100

Edgar’s Bakery in Hoover – 95

Website

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.”

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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