At one Augusta eatery: Food buildup in microwave; 'pink and black' buildup in ice machine

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 Feb. 9 and 15, 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.

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Perfect scores

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between Feb. 9 and 15 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

Arby's, 1813 Gordon Hwy.

Foodies - Food & Concessions, 629 Brigham Trl.

Foodies Catering and Concession, 229 Furys Ferry Rd.

Huddle House Restaurant 336, 175 E. Milledgeville Rd., Harlem

Kona Ice, 4495 Columbia Rd., Ste. 2, Martinez

North Columbia Elementary, 2874 Ray Owens Rd., Appling

North Harlem Elementary, 360 W. Trippe St., Harlem

Osaka Hibachi Sushi & Steakhouse, 2626 Tobacco Rd., Hephzibah

Pruitthealth-Augusta, 541 Milledgeville Rd.

Riverside Refreshments at T-Mobile, 3750 Wheeler Rd.

School For Arts Infused Learning, 4575 Blanchard Woods Dr., Evans

Travelin' Tom's Coffee, 4495 Columbia Rd., Martinez

Restaurant inspections: The A's have it in Richmond, Columbia counties' new health reports

Getting warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between Feb. 9 and 15, followed by their scores:

Papa John's Pizza, 5108 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. G, Grovetown: 97

Dunkin Donuts, 417 Lewiston Rd., Ste. 1, Grovetown : 96

Hilton Garden Inn - Great American Grill, 1065 Stevens Creek Rd.: 96

Miyako, 2801 Washington Rd.: 96

Seafood & More, 1645 Gordon Hwy.: 96

T's Catering Augusta, 3416 Mike Padgett Hwy.: 96

Wheeless Road Elementary School, 2530 Wheeless Rd.: 96

China Garden, 3435 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. 1112: 95

Hardee's, 310 W. Milledgeville Rd., Harlem: 95

Sodexo Campus Services, Augusta University, 2500 Walton Way: 94

Tutt Middle School, 495 Boy Scout Rd.: 94

Chuck E. Cheese 939, 3435 Wrightsboro Rd.: 93

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 2175 Gordon Hwy.: 93

Not quite done

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between Feb. 9 and 15, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

Urban Air Adventure Park No. 272, 207 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Pkwy.: 89

Inspector's comments: "Observed queso sitting in the steam well uncovered in the main kitchen. Ensure all food items are stored covered."

"Observed pink and black buildup inside the bulk ice machine in the main kitchen. Observed food buildup inside the microwave in the main kitchen. Clean the ice machine and microwave. Increase cleaning frequency."

"Observed employee personal belongings and food stored with dry storage goods. Observed food stored on the floor inside the walk-in-cooler in the main kitchen. Store employee personal items and food in a designated loaction. Store food at least 6 inches off the floor."

"Observed ice scoop buried inside bulk ice machine in main kitchen. Ensure all scoops are properly stored."

"Observed mop sitting in mop bucket in main kitchen. Store mop hanging to air dry."

"Observed drain plug missing from dumpster. Obtain drain plug."

"Observed dust buildup on vents inside kitchen and restrooms. Clean vents. Increase cleaning frequency."

Jimmy John's, 1129 Agerton Ln.: 84

Inspector's comments: "Observed no Certified Food Protection Manager certification. Obtain a Certified Food Protection Manager Certification within 60 days."

"Observed no employees health reporting agreements. Obtain employee health reporting agreements and have available for inspections."

"Observed black buildup inside the bulk ice machine. Clean the ice machine. Increase cleaning frequency."

"Observed meat sitting inside prep sink full of water to thaw. Only use approved thawing methods."

"Observed wet nesting of clean dishes. Allow dishes to properly air dry before stacking."

Prime Time Bar and Grill, Prime Time Bar and Grill Food Truck No. 2, 1721 Gordon Hwy.: 81

Inspector's notes: "No bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods or approved alternate method properly followed."

Improperly preventing contamination from hands.

"Management knowledge, responsibilities, reporting" was found lacking.

Proper "response procedures for vomiting and diarrheal events" not immediately located.

Loosely covered or uncovered packaged/unpackaged food.

Air drying required for utensils.

Practice better "equipment, clothes washer and dryer, contamination prevention."

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta-area restaurants lose points in newest health inspections