Huh, my first job was as a dishwasher in a golf course. I worked there for 5 years, and I never saw any of that. This was before automatic dishwashers; I washed everything by hand. They had 3 sinks: wash, rinse, and sanitize. Everyone was very diligent about proper hygiene in all parts of the clubhouse/restaurant.

I don't mind restaurants, but I almost never order a steak, because I like it very well done (no pink at all), and I inevitably have to send it back to be cooked more. This is what I am afraid of, because chefs get irritated, and a lot of them do gross things like spit on the food.

I’ve worked in the good and the bad. Mostly you’ll be ok. Chains and independents take pride in their work. Go in a place and observe employees. Are they happy? Because of pride or because they were smoking crack in the bathroom?
As far as Ol’ Fingernails, that’s a health code violation. Follow through on that angle. That’s nasty.

I worked in food service when I was younger, and some of the things I noticed where definitely troubling. Many of my fellow servers had the very long nails, and I would watch them dig their hands straight into the container of lemon slices and then toss one right into someone’s glass of water or tea. There were plenty of other gross offenses, but I remember having the same thought as you about the nastiness under their nails. The unfortunate reality is that while safety and health precautions can be taken and should be, it will never be guaranteed that our food is prepared and served without contamination anywhere we go. I try to just not think about it, because there are some foods I love to go out and eat since I hate to cook and get tired of microwaveable food after a while.

Thank you for your informative post. I would like to add that in today's world of Monsanto, most of the food we eat here in the US (Other countries have outlawed Monsanto and its GMO's) is laced with Glyphosate and other deadly pesticides. I have given up most foods and opt for organic. I no longer eat meat because not only are these animals tortuously treated, but they are sick and dirty. I feel my health has improved as a result. My new regimen is not as difficult as I expected and it is actually fun.