Pancake Pantry received a rating of 59 out of 100 on its Metro Public Health evaluation two weeks ago.
The restaurant’s low score has some students wondering if they should pay more attention to health ratings.
“It makes me rethink why I don’t check health scores more often,” said Rachel Hacker, a sophomore communication major. “I go in with assumptions about a place just because of its atmosphere, but those aren’t always correct.”
Hacker, who is from Gallatin, Tenn., said she looks at health scores if they are posted in obvious places in restaurants, but if not, she said she doesn’t search for them. Hacker said she thinks students consider price more than any other factor when choosing where to eat.
Kathryn-Claire Watts, a junior from Murfreesboro majoring in public relations, agreed with Hacker about price being students’ main concern.
Watts said she usually doesn’t research health ratings before she goes to restaurants off campus but said she notices if they are posted in a visible spot in the facility.
“I really pay attention to the ones on campus because they’re right there while you’re waiting for your food,” Watts said.
William Bratton, a senior from West Palm Beach, Fla., said he also thinks about price first. He said that he trusts local businesses and isn’t too concerned about their health ratings, but he said he pays attention to health scores if he isn’t familiar with the place.
“Like a local burger joint, I can forgive it being under an 85,” Bratton said. “If I don’t know the restaurant, I do look for that.”
Watts said that she heard about Pancake Pantry’s low score and decided not to eat there last weekend when her parents suggested it.
Bratton, an elementary education major, said he hadn’t heard about Pancake Pantry’s low score.
“I haven’t eaten there, and I don’t plan on it now.”