The Utah County Health Department has recognized about 10 percent of the county's fast-food and full-service restaurants as the "best of the best."

Eighty-eight of nearly 900 restaurants in the county received a certificate of appreciation for their efforts to comply with health standards. "We wanted to recognize the particular restaurants that have made an outstanding effort to provide meals in a clean and safe manner," said Terry Beebe, division director.

Restaurants were judged on their overall scores on their last two inspections, absence of critical violations, absence of repeat violations, cleanliness and the overall conditions of the facility and equipment. The list is available at www.UtahCountyHealth.org.

Health department spokesman Lance Madigan said people shouldn't worry if their favorite eatery is not on the list.

"It's not necessarily that they're bad or have problems, he said. "That is strictly, shall we say, the best of the best, and we just want to recognize those establishments for their efforts and point them out the community"

Restaurants are inspected twice a year, and more often if necessary, Madigan said.

J. Sherman, general manager of Guru's in Provo, which received the certificate for the first time this year, said he takes food safety seriously. "It's important. I think people are getting a little more conscious of food safety these days, and I think it just makes them feel better about eating at your establishment."

This is the second year the health department has awarded the certificates. Last year, 67 restaurants were recognized, Madigan said. "So much of the time we hear about the restaurants that are closed because they have issues or problems, so we want to hear about the good as well as the bad."

Last year, the health department closed one or two restaurants in the county because of imminent health problems, Beebe said.

Anna Chang-Yen can be reached at 344-2549 or annac@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.