Trattoria ZaZa, Wasabi Juan’s, MELT, Buc-ee’s earn 95+ food service scores in June

Several Birmingham-area restaurants—including Trattoria ZaZa in downtown Birmingham, Wasabi Juan’s near the Rotary Trail and MELT in Avondale—received 95 and above on their food service scores this past June.

Since 2018, Bham Now has reported the Jefferson County Department of Health restaurant food service scores each month. Over 100 local establishments that handle and serve food are inspected by the health department, including: 

• Restaurants
• Schools
• Nursing homes,
• Daycare centers
• Hospitals
• Grocery stores
• Concession stands

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 20% of the restaurant inspections score 95 or above, while most local school cafeterias, for example, tend to score 95 or above.

Featured Restaurants

Who made the local restaurant honor roll in June? Here are some notable local establishments:

95+ scores

Trattoria ZaZa — 97

Did you know ZaZa is slang in the Cleveland area for pizza? ZaZa has countless fans in downtown Birmingham, offering not only pizza but a wide variety of pastas, salads and Italian specialties like Ricotta Gnocchi.  

Wasabi Juan’s — 96

I remember eating my first Wasabi Juan’s sushi burrito at their food truck during a Birmingham Legion game. It was the “Cowboy” of course — steak, avocado and cream cheese. It was tasty and not messy either.  

MELT — 96

A Birmingham original, MELT truly lives by the motto: Eat Local. Drink Local. Live Local. Be Local. And of course, if you love cheese on your sandwiches, they live by their name – MELT. An additional recommendation—try the Strawberry Fields salad.

Rest of the Honor Roll

• The Collins – 99
• Teriyaki Express – 97
• La Tazza at the BJCC
• Buc-ees – 99
• The V Lounge – 99
• Hero Doughnuts – Homewood – 96
• Magic City Grill in Fairfield – 96
• Neighbors Ice Cream – 98
• Wayne’s Hot Dogs – 98
•  Bluff Park Ice Cream Shoppe – 99

Learn More

Visit Jefferson County Department of Health’s Food Service website for the latest scores. Food service inspections help keep us all safe. Bookmark the page and stay tuned for our monthly 95+ stories.

Check out our local business directory featuring over 700 restaurants, bars and businesses offering deals, curbside delivery and more.