Restaurant Inspections: Little slips sink ship at island establishment

Restaurant inspections
Restaurant inspections

Here are the Georgia Department of Health's restaurant inspection scores for Chatham County, conducted Aug. 9-Aug. 15, 2023. Scores in each category are listed by 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.

Perfect Scores

WET WILLIES CITY MARKET, 232 W. ST. JULIAN ST., SAVANNAH

THE FUNKY BRUNCH CAFE, 304 E. BROUGHTON ST., SAVANNAH

THE RED TACO TRUCK (MOBILE UNIT), 200 GOVERNOR TRUETLEN DRIVE, UNIT 3, POOLER

NARA POOLER LLC, 810 TOWNE CENTER BLVD., STE. 112/113, POOLER

TAKE 2, 1311 AUGUSTA AVE., STE. A ,SAVANNAH

A customer at Starland Yard orders food from the Slow Fire BBQ food truck on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
A customer at Starland Yard orders food from the Slow Fire BBQ food truck on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

SLOW FIRE BBQ AND BASE OF OPERATIONS, 205 TELEVISION CIRCLE, UNIT 3, SAVANNAH

AZALEALAND MANAGEMENT INC., 2040 COLONIAL DRIVE, SAVANNAH

BAYOU CAFE FOOD TRUCK (MOBILE UNIT AND BASE OF OPERATIONS), 205 TELEVISION CIRCLE, UNIT 2, SAVANNAH

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High to Moderate Scores

RIPE INGREDIENTS, 18 TYBRISA ST., TYBEE ISLAND, 99

B & D BURGERS, 209 W. CONGRESS ST., SAVANNAH, 98

ALVIN ORD'S LLC (DBA ALVIN ORD'S), 4 WILMINGTON ISLAND ROAD, SAVANNAH, 98

STARBUCKS COFFEE HOUSE #19248, 405 POOLER PKWY., STE. 100, POOLER, 98

HEIWA'S, INC., 7640 ABERCORN ST., SAVANNAH, 92

YOUR PIE, 110 W BRYAN ST., SAVANNAH, 92

TEQUILA'S TOWN MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 109 WHITAKER ST., SAVANNAH, 91

CHEDDAR'S CASUAL CAFE, INC D/B/A CHEDDAR'S SCRATCH KITCHEN, 1425 BENTON BLVD., POOLER, 91

G.B. LOBSTER LLC DBA VICI, 340 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD., SAVANNAH, 91

PEGGY LYNN'S COUNTRY COOKING, 4119-A OGEECHEE ROAD, SAVANNAH, 90

MAPLE STREET BISCUIT COMPANY, 220 W. BROUGHTON ST., SAVANNAH, 90

LOW SCORES AND WHY

POPEYE'S LOUSIANA KITCHEN #224, 2514 BULL ST., SAVANNAH, 89

Inspector Notes: Observed hand sink in main kitchen to be stocked with hand sanitizer and no hand soap. PIC stated that an order was placed to day for more hand soap. Observed hand sink in men's restroom to be out of hand soap. Observed hand sink in men's restroom to be out of paper towels and with not other drying provision. Observed build-up on the ice machine baffle. PIC stated the unit had not been in use for repairs to the door and is usually cleaned every two weeks. Observed build up of food debris on the inside of the reach-in coolers. Observed build-up of food debris on the outside of the equipment (reach-in coolers, warmer cabinet, oven, dry goods containers). Observed build-up of grease dripping from the side of the fryer onto the floors. Observed food debris build-up inside the microwave. Observed food splatter/ debris on the walls around the chicken prep area. Observed flour on the floor around the dry goods containers. 

JALAPENOS MEXICAN GRILL #9 INC, 7 E. BROUGHTON ST., SAVANNAH, 87

Inspector Notes: Observed reach in cooler in main kitchen out of temp. Observed 3 tubs of queso in upstairs walk in cooler, date marked for 7/31 and 8/1. 

TAQUERIA EL SAN LUIS LLC, 7094 HODGSON MEMORIAL DRIVE, SAVANNAH, 87

Inspector Notes: observed employee drinks in reach in cooler in main kitchen and observed employee drinks in food prep areas. Observed tcs food items hot holding on top of grill in main kitchen below 135F. These items were still in the safe zone determined through conversation. CA: PIC had cook reheat items to 165F for 15 seconds.

THE ISLANDER, 301 JOHNNY MERCER BLVD., SAVANNAH, 86

Inspector Notes: Observed no CFSM posted in the facility. Observed wiping cloths used in drying areas. Observed inspection report not displayed in public view. Observed no handwashing signage in men's and women's restroom and handwashing stations in bar or kitchen. Observed multiple plates, pots and other dishware stored upright without proper protection from overhead contamination. Observed box of single-use containers stored on the floor of the kitchen. Observed aluminum used as shelf liner at two prep tables. Observed sanitizer strips not able to be located during inspection. Observed old food splatter in the microwave in kitchen. Observed multiple pieces of equipment within the main kitchen to have old residue creating sticky handles.  Observed multiple non-functional pieces of equipment stored within the kitchen (coolers, dish machine). Observed missing light bulb in left ventilation hood. 

VENSON CAFE AND BASE OF OPERATIONS, 3 E. LATHROP AVE., SAVANNAH, 83

Inspector Notes: Observed handwashing sink to have pot covers stored in the sink. Observed handwashing sink to not have any hand cleanser at the sink. Upon inquiring PIC provided a dish soap to wash hands. Observed facility to not have any hand drying provision near the handwashing sink. COS/CA: PIC provided to-go napkins for handwashing. Observed multiple TCS food items within the reach in cooler to not be below 41F ( refer to temperatures). Observed tuna and shrimp salad on ice in the front food service to be above 41F. 

WAFFLE HOUSE, 1940 PRESIDENT ST., SAVANNAH, 82

Inspector Notes: Observed mildew-like substance inside of ice bins and inside of ice maker. Observed chemical sanitizer in sani-bucket in too high concentrations. Observed two cold holding units without internal thermometers (reach-in and walk-in cooler). Observed the inspection report was not on public display. Observed not all handwashing sinks had a handwashing sign nearby. Observed that the facility did not have a means of measuring the temperature of their high temp dishwasher. Observed facility also did not have means of testing chemical sanitizer concentrations. Observed accumulation of food debris, and/or grease on racks and interiors of cold holding coolers, gaskets, pull-out drawers of coolers, and on outsides of equipment doors. Observed men's toilet room with toilet non-functioning. Observed multiple flies throughout facility.

OD CRAB HOUSE SAVANNAH INC., 1915 E. VICTORY DRIVE, UNIT K, SAVANNAH, 82

Inspector Notes: Observed raw chicken stored next to raw fish and cooked chicken next to raw scallops in reach-in cooler. Advised PIC to separate raw and cooked food items while separating raw food items according to minimum cooking temperatures. Observed debris on cutting surface of can opener.Observed wiping cloths in a solution with a concentration of 0 ppm chlorine. 

KAYAK KAFE, 1 E. BROUGHTON ST., SAVANNAH, 81

Inspector Notes: Observed ware washer not dispensing sanitizer to properly wash dishes. Observe reach in cooler/prep top with ambient temperature of 52.1F. Observed containers of spring mix, lettuce & sliced avocado sitting on countertops being used for service (no ice bath). 

SUBWAY #10909, 131 E. BROUGHTON ST., SAVANNAH, 81

Inspector Notes: Observed expired servsafe certificate on file for PIC. Observed food on prep top uncovered when not in use. Observed flys hovering over prep top cooler. Observed meatballs being hot held below 135F.

SAVANNAH FRIED CHICKEN, 2108 BONA BELLA AVE., SAVANNAH, 80

Inspector Notes: Observed raw beef patties stored above cooked food items (chicken and pork) in the prep-top cooler and reach-in freezer. Manually packaged raw chicken was stored above raw beef items in the reach-in freezer. Observed raw fish patties stored above corn dogs and onion rings in the reach-in freezer. Observed three cases of egg rolls not cold-holding at 41 F or lower. Observed container of rice and eggs outside temperature control units without a time documentation. Observed container of rice and eggs outside temperature control units without a time documentation.

TRYP BY WYNDHAM, 320 MONTGOMERY ST., SAVANNAH, 80

Inspector Notes: Observed molded fruit (blueberries and strawberries) in the reach-in cooler at the bar. Observed molded strawberries in the walk-in cooler downstairs. Observed butter, cream cheese, and boiled eggs setting at room temperature in the breakfast area for guests. 

FIREHOUSE SUBS, 1935 E. VICTORY DR., SAVANNAH, 80

Inspector Notes: Observed that facility did not have a CFSM. Observed multiple TCS foods in reach-in/prep top cooler at above 41F. (sliced tomatoes, deli meats & cheeses). Determined that items had been prepared in the morning and were still within time limits but cold-holding unit was not working properly with an internal ambient temperature of 49F. Observed a chemical spray cleaner containing bleach next to to-go-cups. bserved 2 cold-holding units without thermometers. 

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Chatham County Restaurant Scores Aug. 9-Aug. 15, 2023