Augusta hotel inspection hurt because of 'utensils improperly washed, rinsed, sanitized'

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

The following is a list of restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that have been inspected between Nov. 14 and 20, accompanied by their scores and, in some cases, the health infractions that lowered those scores.

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.

Perfect scores

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between Nov. 14 and 20 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

Eat-M-Up II, 4002 Deans Bridge Rd., Hephzibah

The Hideout, 3014 Washington Rd.

Ikonz Sports Bar & Grill,1515 N. Leg Rd.

Jim 'N Nick's Community BBQ, 275 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Pkwy.

Sabor Latino Restaurant, 1719 Gordon Hwy.

Starbucks @ Kroger, 435 Lewiston Rd., Grovetown

The gloves are off: Improper food handling slashed this Augusta restaurant's health inspection score

Getting warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between Nov. 14 and 20 followed by their scores:

Teriyaki Express, 437 Lewiston Rd., Ste. 1, Grovetown: 98

Beamie's at the River, 865 Reynolds St.: 95

Sista Sista Soul Food, 5110 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. F, Grovetown: 93

Lahore Express, 201 Shartom Dr.: 92

Harvest Table Buffet, 1505 Gordon Hwy.: 92

Not quite done

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between Nov. 14 and 20, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

Soy Noodle House, 1032 Broad St.: 85

Inspector's comments: "Supply dish machine with working sanitizer dispenser (repaired during inspection). Make sure to test regularly to assure 50-100 ppm bleach solution."

"Cold foods must be maintained at 41 F and below. Raw food iced, cooked discarded".

"Rice maintained using time as safety control without time stamp. Must time stamp and discard foods not sold or served by end of time period, cold foods must be maintained at 70 F or below or discarded. (Rice discarded.)"

"Keep non-food contact surfaces clean. Walk in shelves, handle, storage shelves for food and supplies."

"Repair floors, walls to be smooth, cleanable (floor in kitchen is raw wood, must be smooth, cleanable)."

Fairfield Inn & Suites, 3023 1/2 Washington Rd.: 78

Inspector's comments: Certified food safety manager/person in charge responsible for: temperature/time control of time/temperature control for safety foods, proper use and storage of toxic materials, proper dish procedure being utilized.

"Observed utensils improperly washed, rinsed, sanitized (advised dishwasher on proper procedure). Auto feed for sanitizer not feeding sanitizer to sink; no sanitizer in third compartment (added bleach containing cleanser to third compartment)."

"Observed prepackaged eggs in cooler at 48 F, air temp in cooler at level of eggs was 47 F. Cream cheese above eggs at 36 F (top of cooler). Advised to arrange items to have better air circulation, place time/temperature control for safety food at top of cooler, repair cooler as needed to maintain at 41 F or below."

"Observed establishment utilizing time as a public health control without having written procedures."

"Observed waffle mix at 47 F, placed back into cooler after held on buffet. Discarded mix. Items not held at 41 F or below or items that exceed 70 F on display must be discarded. Can use time as control with written procedure listing items that time is safety control, discarding items at end of service period or marked time limits as allowed by regulations."

"Observed residential use pesticide stored in kitchen."

"Observed aluminum foil stored with cleansers. Foil moved."

"The most current inspection report is not prominently displayed in public view."

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Cold foods too warm in Augusta restaurants' newest health inspections