A  in L.A. County sign at Craig's Hot Dog on a Stick says: This restaurant received scores of 90 to 100 at time of inspection. The most recent food inspection report is available here for review upon request.”

Although all California restaurants adhere to state laws about food service, counties vary in their inspection reporting and posting of information for the public to access and see at diners, cafes, fine eateries and even food trucks. In Santa Clara County, for instance, an NBC Bay Area investigative report in 2013 learned there was no grading system, 9 out of 10 restaurants contacted didn't know they were required to provide consumers inspection reports when asked, and the reports were nearly impossible to decipher.

Even the State of California falls short in helping consumers–there are links to less than half of the California's 58 counties for restaurant inspections and closures (several links are broken or outdated as of this posting.) For millions of Californians who come down with potentially fatal food-born illnesses from restaurants annually (24 million diners nationwide according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,) a comprehensive, state-wide grading system would be beneficial. Here's why:

A Grade:

• Los Angeles County – Generally superior in food handling practices and overall food facility maintenance.
• Riverside County - The ONLY passing grade that a facility can get for an inspection.
• San Bernardino County - Generally superior in food handling practices and overall food facility maintenance and sanitation.
• San Diego County – In satisfactory compliance with state law.
  
  B Grade:
• Los Angeles County: Generally good in food handling practices and overall food facility maintenance.
• Riverside County: The facility FAILED their unannounced inspection. Facilities that have received a B” or lower grade are posted on Food Facility Downgrades webpage and are required to raise their grade back up to an A” within a short period of time.
• San Bernardino County: Generally acceptable in food handling practices and overall food facility maintenance and sanitation.
• San Diego County: The facility earned a score of 80 to 89% and needs improvement in operations and/or structure.
  
  Other:
• Sacramento County: Placards are used –GREEN (open), YELLOW (conditionally open) or RED (closed).
• Orange County: Posts inspection info.
• San Francisco County: Posts grades–GOOD 91-100, ADEQUATE 86-90, NEEDS IMPROVEMENT 71-85, POOR 70 or less