Restaurant earns perfect inspection even with COVID-19 changes

The sign on the door says "yes, they're open," but you'll hit a stop sign when you walk in the door, a sign saying only two customers allowed in at a time.

Posted 9:29 p.m. Apr 8, 2020 — Updated 9:50 p.m. Apr 8, 2020

Monica Laliberte

, Executive producer/consumer reporter

RALEIGH, N.C. — The sign on the door says "yes, they're open," but you'll hit a stop sign when you walk in the door, a sign saying only two customers allowed in at a time.

"Food to us is sacred, we stress the cleaning and everything has to be perfect. Because that's our tradition," said Gianluca Preziuso, who co-owns Gino's Pizza on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh.

He brought the family tradition with him from Italy. Specifically from "Naples," he said. "The birthplace of pizza."

Gino's just scored a perfect 100 on an inspection. A county environmental health manager admitted the 100 is rare. So what's Preziuso doing that you might want to look for in your favorite restaurant?

He said they bumped up cleaning procedures "... bleaching all surfaces, prepping surfaces, cables, equipment."

"Nobody could order at the counter, I ask them to call the order in, we take the credit card information over the phone," Preziuso said.

If customers don't take advantage of free, no-contact delivery, when they come to pick-up, only two customers are allowed inside at a time. Wake County health inspectors tell us those are precautions to look for, as well as making sure those inside keep social distance.

5 On Your Side shares changes to restaurant inspections

Even better they say is food delivered to customers outside and make sure staff takes precautions.

"I'm constantly watching my employees; using fresh pair of gloves, washing their hands, sanitizing surfaces, constantly, constantly, constantly watching," said Preziuso.

He even checks employee's temperatures.

So whether it's an order for pizza, pasta, or an Italian hero, Gino's solid inspection history shows cleanliness has always been top of mind.

Before the 100 in late March, Gino's has scored at least a 99 since 2016.

A restaurant's grade history is the best indication of their ongoing sanitation practices. You can check that below.