Counter Handbook

Directory FAQ

What a Listing Means and How It Changes

What does it mean when a restaurant is listed here?
It means the business is real, operates at the address it gives, and has a Google listing that matches its own website. Restaurants across the Commonwealth are served by training and advocacy groups like the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, but we do not check permits or staff certificates ourselves; ask the restaurant or the Health Department if those matter to you.
Does a listing count as a recommendation?
No. A listing is a statement of fact: this business met verifiable criteria. A recommendation implies we prefer it to another place. We do not rank restaurants against each other. A listing means the facts check out, not that you will prefer it.
How often do you update the directory?
We check listings quarterly for changes in address, ownership, or listing details. If a listing becomes inaccurate, we update or remove it. We do not promise a business will stay on the list forever if circumstances change.
Can I nominate a restaurant?
Yes. Use the Suggest A Business form to send us a nomination. We will evaluate it against our criteria and respond within two weeks. Include the business name, location, and why you think they should be listed.

Check a Permit Yourself

You can check what we do not. Start with the North Andover Health Department website to see whether a restaurant holds an active food-service permit. Then ask the business directly about staff training. We confirm the address and the Google listing; permit status and training certification are yours to check.

I Had a Bad Meal at a Listed Place

I saw a restaurant on your list but I had a bad experience there.

—A community member
Group of friends enjoying dinner together at restaurant table, sharing food and laughing in casual celebration dining scene with warm lighting
A single bad meal does not disqualify a business from being listed. Our checks cover whether a business is real and where it says it is, not whether every customer loves every meal.

Why We Verify Instead of Rating

Most questions come from people trying to understand the difference between a curated directory and a review site. We are not here to rate food or service. We are here to confirm that a place is real and operates where it says it does.

That is a narrower role than a rating site plays. It is also a more honest one. A single meal tells you about that meal, not about a restaurant's general standards. A verified address and listing tell you something more stable: that the place you are reading about is the place you will find.

Nominating a Place or Browsing the List

If you have a question we did not answer here, use the Suggest A Business form to get in touch. If you want to understand our evaluation criteria in detail, the Who We List page walks through what we check and what we leave to you.

To see all listings, browse the directory from the home page. You can filter by neighborhood and type of cuisine.

To nominate a place, use the Suggest A Business form. We will evaluate it within two weeks and follow up.