The Optimist

1000-109 Brookside Dr, Raleigh, NC 27604

Passed · Jul 17, 2026 Directions
71
Fair BiteKarma score 71 out of 100
How the BiteKarma score works

Each routine inspection starts at 100 and loses 7 points for every critical violation and 2 for every other one, half again as much when the same problem was cited at one of the two inspections before. A failed inspection counts as 69 at most. The score averages the five newest routine inspections, with the most recent counting most, and stays below 70 for 90 days after a fail unless the restaurant passes again. 90 and up is excellent, 80s good, 70s fair, and below 70 poor.

At a glance

  • Passed 6 of 6 graded inspections since 2023.
  • Last inspected Jul 17, 2026: passed with 4 violations, 3 critical.
  • Keeps coming up: Handwashing sinks supplied and accessible, cited 3 times, plus 7 other repeat issues.
  • 7 critical violations in the last two years.

Inspection history 6 visits

  1. 2026
  2. Passed Jul 17

    Inspection

    4 violations, 3 critical
    • Critical Proper hot holding temperatures
    • Critical Handwashing sinks supplied and accessible
    • Critical Certified food protection manager
    • Minor Personal cleanliness
  3. 2025
  4. Passed Nov 13

    Inspection

    4 violations, 2 critical
    • Critical Handwashing sinks supplied and accessible
    • Critical Toxic substances properly identified stored and used
    • Minor Personal cleanliness
    • Minor Garbage and refuse properly disposed, facilities maintained
  5. Passed May 21

    Inspection

    5 violations, 2 critical
    • Critical Proper cold holding temperatures
    • Critical Certified food protection manager
    • Minor Personal cleanliness
    • Minor Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained and used, test strips
    • Minor Plumbing installed, proper backflow devices
  6. 2024
  7. Passed Oct 8

    Inspection

    5 violations, 2 critical
    • Critical Handwashing sinks supplied and accessible
    • Critical Toxic substances properly identified stored and used
    • Minor Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage and display
    • Minor Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean
    • Minor Nonfood-contact surfaces clean

Nearby

BiteKarma scores around The Optimist, which is the dark pin. Zoom in to see the dots' scores, and tap a pin marked + to see everything at that address.

  1. 94 Big Cat Same address
  2. 100 Caravan Flame Express 0.5 mi
  3. 52 Cora Kitchen & Cocktail Bar 0.6 mi
  4. 83 Crawford and Son 0.6 mi
  5. 79 Jolie Restaurant 0.6 mi