GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY -- We are in the middle of Traverse City's first restaurant week.

The Grand Traverse region is getting national recognition as a foodie destination. While most of us love to go out to eat, how do you know the food you are eating is safe?

Tonight we help you get the "Dirt on Dining out."

Eating out is becoming big business in the Grand Traverse region for tourists and locals a like.

Grand Traverse County Environmental Health Director Tom Buss says, "We have excellent restaurants."

And there are a lot more of them. The number of restaurants in Grand Traverse County alone has gone from about 200 a few decades ago to nearly 500 today.

Keeping an eye on those restaurants are two full time inspectors.

Buss says, "We have the authority to shut an establishment down on the spot."

Those inspectors make two surprise visits each year to each restaurant. They examine everything from making sure the dishwasher is hot enough to kill germs , to making sure the refrigerator is cold enough so harmful bacteria doesn't grow in the first place. If the inspector spots a critical violation, one that has the potential to make you sick, the inspector often has the restaurant fix the problem on the spot.

Buss says, "Sometimes it involves throwing out entire contents of a refrigerator. Often times they're not real popular decisions we make but still necessary to protect the public."

While inspectors can close a restaurant for not fixing a critical violation, Buss says in the 34 years he's been with the department it has never once come to that.

In fact he thinks restaurants are getting safer.

Buss says, "We know so much more now days about food safety and sanitation than we did several years ago."

Advances in science are part of the reason; changes in the law are another. Beginning in July 2010 all Michigan restaurants must have at least one certified food manager on staff trained in food safety.

But how can you be sure your favorite restaurant is safe?

Buss says, "If the establishment is open, I guess I'd assume it's in good working order."

If you need more proof than that, it will take some digging. While the records are public, they are not particularly easy to access and not posted on-line.

Buss says, "I feel very comfortable going to any restaurant in the county. I know we're out there, inspecting and taking action when needed."

He says at the end of the day it's just good business to be safe and sanitary. "If they are not providing safe, sanitary meals to the public they are not going to get people to come back, if you don't have return customers you are not going to have a business for long."

So if you want to know more about the health inspections at any given restaurant, Buss says you can call the health department and they can get the information to you. Some Michigan Counties actually post their inspection reports on-line, and while Grand Traverse County is not doing that now, Buss says it is something they could do in the future. What do you think about this? What have your experiences been, good or bad? Share your thoughts below.