How grading works in Cincinnati.

Start with the local scale

Cincinnati does not use letter grades or numeric scores. Records list each violation with a status such as "Abated" (corrected), "Abated On-Site" (fixed during the visit), or "Not Abated" / "Not In Compliance" (still needed correction at the time).

A score is not universal

Never compare results between cities. Some departments add points for violations, others use pass/fail, and a lower score can mean a better result.

Read beyond the latest result

Check the inspection date, each recorded violation, and any follow-up inspection. Closures and re-inspections are labeled in each restaurant’s history.