Among other types of eateries that were ordered closed temporarily by Salt Lake County inspectors in the past two years were 20 food and drink carts, two private clubs, a convenience store, a deli and a snow-cone stand.

Scores for food and drink carts show that even low violation point totals could present serious health threats.

Food and drink carts averaged an at-first-glance low 12.9 points per inspection. But 20 of the 80 carts in the county — a whopping one of every four — were closed at least once by health inspectors during the two years for posing an "imminent threat" to health.

Most were closed for lack of a working sink for workers to wash hands, or for not using a regulated commissary to supply food (and maybe trying to prepare it out of homes instead). "Even one violation is enough to close down a restaurant if it is serious enough," said Ron Lund, food protection supervisor for the Salt Lake Valley Health Department.

Far fewer eateries were closed in Utah County than in Salt Lake County during 2005-06. In fact, just four were closed temporarily: Doc's Pizza Buffet, 2250 N. University Parkway, Provo; Red Lantern, 175 N. 200 West, Provo; Red's Deli, 701 W. Columbia Lane, Provo; and Trail's End Cafe, 500 S. Main, Spanish Fork.

Stone said his Utah County department does not have data on exactly how long those eateries were closed.

Also, 18 full-service restaurants in Utah County had violation points that were twice the average for such establishments there. Topping the list was China Cafe in Springville. It averaged 62 points per inspection — more than four times the average 14.3 points for the group.

Some other full-service and fast-food restaurants in Utah County with high violation point totals per inspection were Taqueria El Vaquero in Provo, 54 points per inspection; Pizza Factory in Spanish Fork, 42.3; China Town in Provo, 40; and La Tormenta in Provo, 35.5.

Interesting comparisons

The data allow some interesting comparisons. The Morning News, for example, compared some larger fast-food chains.

In Salt Lake County, the fast-food chain with the lowest average violation points were Starbucks (10.1 points), Panda Express (10.9 points) and Burger King (11.5 points).

The chains with the highest average points there were Blimpie's (26.9), Einstein Brothers (26.7); and Kentucky Fried Chicken (25.1). The average for all fast-food restaurants in Salt Lake County was 21.7 points.

In Utah County, the chain with the lowest violation point average was Taco Bell (2.8 points on the different Utah County scale), followed by Arctic Circle (5.6 points) and Wendy's (6.3 points).

At the bottom of that list in Utah County was Gandolfo's (16.1 points), Little Caesars (13.5 points) and Hogi Yogi (12.7 points). The average for all Utah County fast-food restaurants was 10.1 points.