Handling food with no gloves slashed this Augusta restaurant's health inspection score
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. 7 and 13, 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. 7 and 13 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:
J's Sports Bar & Lounge, 3663 Deans Bridge Rd., Hephzibah
Mama's #1 Cooking LLC - Monique Staples, 758 Old Indian Camp Rd., Grovetown
So close
Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between Nov. 7 and 13 with scores of 99, posting just one health violation. Inspectors’ comments are included:
Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar, 303 N. Belair Rd., Evans
Inspector's comments: "Fill holes near new dish machine. seal/caulk new sinks to the wall."
"Clean fryer sides. Clean black fridge at bar. Organize towels/apron in back hall."
El Presidente, 2 Eighth St.
Inspector's comments: "Observed scoop handle in salsa stored in the walk-in-cooler. Ensure all in-use utensils are properly stored."
"Observed wet nesting of clean dishes. Allow dishes to properly air dry before stacking."
Hardee's, 3309 Peach Orchard Rd.
Inspector's comments: "Observed wet nesting in ware washing area. Allow dishes to air dry properly before stacking together."
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Getting warmer
Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between Nov. 7 and 13 followed by their scores:
Janwiches Grill & Little Dutch Bakery, 725 Gateway Center Blvd., Grovetown: 96
Home 2 Suites Augusta, 3606 Exchange Ln.: 96
Carrabba's Italian Grill, 2832 Washington Rd.: 96
New Moon Café, 936 Broad St.: 96
Bojangles, 3705 Mike Padgett Hwy.: 95
Alexander's Great BBQ, 3007 Deans Bridge Rd.: 94
Sonics #5816, 3712 Mike Padgett Hwy.: 91
Residence Inn-Augusta, 1116 Marks Church Rd.: 91
Not quite done
Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between Nov. 7 and 13, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:
Nipsey's Bar & Grill, 127 Laney Walker Blvd.: 87
Inspector's comments: "Observed all hand washing sinks without soap and paper towels. Ensure all hand washing sinks are fully supplies at all times."
"Observed multiple dry storage goods held past date markings. Monitor date markings and ensure food is properly discarded."
"Observed chicken sitting in sink to thaw. Only use approved thawing methods."
"Observed several flies in the main kitchen. Determine ways to mitigate pest entry or use a commercial grade pest control measure."
Hong Kong, 3718 Mike Padgett Hwy.: 84
Inspector's comments: "Observed food in walk in cooler not correctly stored. Raw beef was stored next to raw poultry and vegetables. Raw seafood was stored directly on top of raw, prepared poultry. Observed sauce (five-gallon buckets) stored on floor of walk-in cooler. Follow correct storage order for different meats. All foods must be stored six inches off of floor.
"Observed chicken stored in walk-in cooler not covered. Observed opened ketchup and other sauce cans in reach in cooler uncovered. All foods need to be covered if opened or prepared."
"Observed sauces in drink pitchers without labels inside reach in coolers. Label everything outside of original container."
Hooters of Augusta, 2834 Washington Rd.: 83
Inspector's comments: "Observed shrimp and chicken cold holding above 41 degrees F. Cold hold at temperatures of 41 degrees F or below."
In two separate violations, "observed cell phone charging on prep table near preparation at food. Store employee personal items away from food preparation and food prep surfaces."
"Observed standing water in back prep area as well as dish area. Squeegee standing water to avoid accidents."
"Observed employee restroom toilet not clean, urine and flies inside. Observed unpleasant odor. Clean."
Ephesus Mediterranean Greek & Turkish Restaurant, 3102 Washington Rd.: 80
Inspector's comments: In two separate violations, "observed employee prepare food (pickled cabbage and lettuce) on to go plate without gloves. Observed naan bread to be served immediately cut without any gloves. Handle ready-to-eat foods with gloves at all times."
"Observed rice pudding stored below raw chicken and beef. Follow proper stacking order. Ready to eat foods should be stored above any raw poultry and/or beef."
The Boll Weevil Cafe & Sweetery, 10 Ninth St.: 79
Inspector's comments: "Observed no employee health reporting agreements. Have copies of the agreements readily available for inspections."
"Observed multiple time/temperature control for safety foods held above 41 F for cold holding. Ensure all foods held for cold holding are at least 41 F or below."
"Observed cans of Raid being stored in the dry storage room. Only use commercial pest control measures."
"Observed scoop handles laying on top of food in several containers. Ensure all in-use utensils are properly stored."
"Observed wet nesting of clean dishes. Allow dishes to properly air dry before stacking."
"Observed live bugs/roaches actively moving throughout dish washroom. Ensure a licensed pest control operator uses measures to get rid of bugs/roaches."
Red Shark, 2574 Tobacco Rd., Hephzibah: 69
Inspector's comments: "Observed meats in the reach in cooler with out any food covering. Observed tomatoes (sliced) in reach-in cooler without food covering. Observed foods in walk in cooler without food covering. All opened/prepared food needs to be covered."
"Observed reach in freezer with severe ice accumulation on shelving. (shelving was not visible). Observed prep top area with accumulation of debris. Defrost freezer, clean prep top area and increase cleaning frequency."
"Observed seafood, chicken and tomatoes in reach in coolers and walk-in coolers and walk-in cooler being held above 41 degrees Fahrenheit. All cold held food needs to be 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below, This is required. Shrimp held at 65 degrees Fahrenheit and fish at 70 degrees Fahrenheit needs to be discarded."
"Observed prepped foods/cooked foods without date labels. Repeat violation. Date labels are required on opened/ prepared foods."
"Observed food outside of original container without common name labeling (sauces). Label food outside of original container."
"Observed block of sliced cheese without wrapper or any kind of containment stored directly on top of wire shelf in reach in cooler. Observed containers of sliced tomatoes without lids or covering stacked on top of each other inside reach in cooler."
"Observed hood above fryers with an abundance of grease residue buildup. Wall behind fryers had grease running down the wall behind fryers. Clean. Increase cleaning frequency.
"Observed dumpsters left opened. Keep closed when not in use."
"Observed handwashing sink with dirty utensils in sink. Observed walls in need of repair. Observed chipped/missing floor covering tiles. Observed back door being left propped open. Hand washing sinks are for handwashing only. Repair walls, flooring/coving. Do not leave back door propped open."
"Observed panel missing from hood above fryers, preventing proper ventilation. Replace missing panel."
"Observed several flies throughout kitchen and dining area. C/A: Don't leave back door propped open. Possibly purchase fly fan for door/ drive thru window."
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: These Augusta-area restaurants scored lowest in new health inspections
