Athens Asian restaurant, Oconee wings place score low on health inspections

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read

Here are the Georgia Department of Health's restaurant inspection scores for Athens-Clarke County conducted Oct. 4-17, 2023. Scores in each category are listed in order of most recent inspection date.

The Georgia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Section, conducts regular restaurant inspections to help keep residents and visitors safe.

Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. A few more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

This photo from January 2021 shows the newly-revamped 1977 Taco Stand location on Milledge Ave. in Athens, Georgia.
This photo from January 2021 shows the newly-revamped 1977 Taco Stand location on Milledge Ave. in Athens, Georgia.

Athens-Clarke County: Perfect scores

HOME.MADE (1072 BAXTER ST)

CHEBA HUT (135 W WASHINGTON ST)

STEGMAN COLISEUUM - ARAMARK CM1 (100 SMITH ST)

STEGMAN COLISEUUM -ARAMARK CM2 (100 SMITH ST)

STEGMAN COLISEUM - ARAMARK CM3 (100 SMITH ST)

STEGMAN COLISEUM - ARAMARK CM4 (100 SMITH ST)

Eat Athens: The new taco place that's just a 2-minute walk from the other new taco place

Athens-Clarke County: High to average scores

CHICK-FIL-A #4234 (101 COLLEGE AVE): 99

HILLTOP GRILLE (2310 W BROAD ST): 96

BARBERITOS (259 E CLAYTON ST): 94

HI-LO (1354 PRINCE AVE): 94

PEPPINO'S PIZZERIA (950 WHITEHALL RD): 95

BARBERITOS (1180 PRINCE AVE): 90

MAEPOLE (1021 N CHASE ST): 99

TAQUERIA DEL SOL - ATHENS (334 PRINCE AVE): 90

TACO STAND (670 N MILLEDGE AVE): 96POPEYE'S (1125 PRINCE AVE): 94

Athens restaurant health inspections: Repeat violation for mold noted at hot dog place

Athens-Clarke County: Low scores and why

NEW RED BOWL ASIAN BISTRO (1935 BARNETT SHOALS RD): 72. Inspector Notes: "Employee dumped beverage ice into hand sink at beverage station. Observed utensil storage between uses in container of room temperature water next to rice warmer. Glassware and metal food pans stacked wet after washing. Top and bottom sections of RI (reach-in) located at sushi bar not able to maintain food temperature at 41F or below."

TAZIKI'S ATHENS MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT (227 PRINCE AVE): 86. Inspector Notes: "Oven not able to maintain food temperature at 135F for hot holding."

STARBUCKS - KROGER STORE GA-255 (2301 COLLEGE STATION RD): 85. Inspector Notes: "Mold growth in ice machine along top of cavity. Box of single-service cups stored on floor in dry goods storeroom. Loose faucet observed at hand wash sink in men's restroom."

FIVE STAR PILGRIMS PRIDE CAFETERIA (898 BARBER ST): 89. Inspector Notes: "RIC (reach-in cooler) Front 3 not keeping foods at 41F or less."

IRON WORKS CAFE @ THE GRADUATE ATHENS HOTEL (295 E DOUGHERTY ST): 87. Inspector Notes: "Employee wearing wristwatch during food handling. Kitchen make table not able to maintain food temperature at 41F or below."

DUNKIN DONUTS (771 PRINCE AVE): 81. Inspector Notes: "Paper hand towels not available for use in men's restroom. Coffee filters stored unprotected on top of coffee brewer. Make table not able to maintain food temperature at 41F. Observed ice accumulation on food boxes in walk-in (WI) freezer. Dumpster door left open after last use. Replace missing floor drain grate in men's restroom."

KRYSTAL (1085 PRINCE AVENUE): 89. Inspector Notes: "WIC (walk-in cooler) not keeping TCS (temperature control for safety) foods at 41F or less. Door gasket not sealing on bottom. Ice buildup under fan in WIC and WIF (walk-in freezer) as well as bottom of door in WIF and on fan in the reach-in freezer.

Oconee County: Low scores and why

J. BUFFALO WINGS (1805 EPPS BRIDGE PKWY STE 103): 85. Inspector notes: "Observed ranch, blue cheese, and yum yum sauces above 41°F and without temperature control. Observed cooked rice in plastic tubs cooling inside WIC (Walk in Cooler) since yesterday at 47°F and 50°F. Observed cooked rice mentioned above cooling inside WIC inside deep covered tubs. Also observed cooked wings cooling above deep fryer. Front self service Coke machine sits flush with counter, preventing easy access for cleaning underneath. Front self service Coke machine mentioned above has significant buildup of mold-like substance at its base."

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Recent health inspections for Athens and Oconee County area restaurants