Como's Reopens After OK From Health Department

FERNDALE, MI — Como’s is back in business this week after cleaning up its act. Literally.

The license for the Italian restaurant, which first opened back in 1961, was revoked on Sept. 21, 2016 by the Oakland County Food Service Appeal Board for a spate of violations. Among the short stack list: running dishwashers without soap, employees handling food without wearing hats and keeping air freshener next to condiments.

On Sept. 23, 2016, Como's posted the following message on its Facebook page: "Como's is getting a facelift! We will be closed for a few weeks to create a better dining experience for our guests. This major renovation includes a massive upgrade to the kitchen and dining room!"

The facelift was a success, and Como’s opened its Woodward Avenue doors again this week, and is even offering daily 40 percent off happy hour prices to get customers back in tables.

• See Also: County Yanks Ferndale Eatery’s License for Health Violations

Is that enough to get you dining at Como's again? It should be, according to one expert.
Ferndale Patch asked George Miller, director of the Oakland County Department of Health and Human Services, if he would dine at a restaurant that recently regained its license and he responded, “Yes, absolutely. Once they have passed our inspection, they are ready to go.”

So, what’s the process a restaurant goes through to earn its license back? Pretty intense. Miller explains: “The restaurant must go through the Health Division Planning and Review process as if they were a new restaurant. Then they must meet all of the requirements for a food service license before they can open and complete corrections to all violations.”

Miller also pointed out that Oakland County ensures that restaurants with newly regained licenses stick to rigorous standards through routine, unannounced follow-up inspections.

Photo via Shutterstock