Restaurant Scores: Cross-contamination of raw, ready-to-eat foods at popular Japanese restaurant

Here are the Georgia Department of Health's restaurant inspection scores for Chatham County, conducted Nov. 1–7, 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

SWEET SPICE RESTAURANT AND MOBILE UNITS 1 AND 2, 5515 WATERS AVE., SAVANNAH

PETE'S ITALIAN ICE (MOBILE), 5515 WATERS AVE., SAVANNAH

COLD STONE CREAMERY, 7804 ABERCORN ST., SUITE FC-1, SAVANNAH

ZAXBY'S-SSR SAVANNAH LLC, 5971 OGEECHEE ROAD, SAVANNAH

8118 LLC, 7804 ABERCORN ST., SUITE 32, SAVANNAH

EL FOGON KATRACHO HONDURAN RESTAURANT (MOBILE), 1550 DEAN FOREST ROAD, SAVANNAH

THE AVENUE, 1721 WATERS AVE., SAVANNAH

SUBWAY-PILOT CENTER, 7001 HIGHWAY 21, PORT WENTWORTH

THE DRAYTON HOTEL ROOFTOP, 7 DRAYTON ST., SAVANNAH

TIER ONE NUTRITION, 1 GODLEY STATION BLVD., C104, POOLER

BALDINOS GIANT JERSEY SUBS, 2890 LITTLE NECK ROAD, SUITE D, BLOOMINGDALE

SAVANNAH NUTRITION, 7400 ABERCORN ST., SUITE 705, SAVANNAH

SEOUL SOONTOFU LLC, 155 TRADERS WAY, SUITE 150, POOLER

GEORGIA COMFORT KITCHEN, 109 TRAVELERS WAY, SAVANNAH

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High to Moderate Scores

POOLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 308 HOLLY AVE., POOLER, 99

CULVER'S OF SAVANNAH, 333 W. MONTGOMERY CROSSROAD, SAVANNAH, 99

SEASONS OF JAPAN, 1800 VICTORY DRIVE, SAVANNAH, 99

JERSEY MIKE'S SUBS, 7400 ABERCORN ST., SUITE 707, SAVANNAH, 99

DRAYTON HOTEL DOWNSTAIRS COCKTAIL LOUNGE, 7 DRAYTON ST. BASEMENT, SAVANNAH, 99

DEL SUR TAQUERIA & CANTINA, 1 N. GODLEY STATION BLVD., SUITE c101-102, POOLER, 98

BURGER KING, 5918 OGEECHEE ROAD, SAVANNAH, 97

MARCO'S PIZZA #8101, 50 BERWICK BLVD., SUITE 390, SAVANNAH, 97

COLD STONE CREAMERY, 5500 ABERCORN ST., UNIT 20, SAVANNAH, 97

SEA WOLF TYBEE, 106 S. CAMPBELL AVE., TYBEE ISLAND, 97

SUNNY SIDE UP, 800 E DERENNE AVE., SAVANNAH, 96

LANDMARK HOSPITAL OF SAVANNAH, LLC, 800 E. 68TH ST., SAVANNAH, 96

ANOTHER BROKEN EGG CAFE, 201 TANGER OUTLETS BLVD., SUITE 530 POOLER, 96

PLAYLANDIA LLC DBA EXHILARATE, 105 TIBET AVE., SAVANNAH, 96

STARBUCKS #14467, 2106 E. VICTORY DRIVE, SAVANNAH, 95

MEXICALI FRESH #1, 50 BERWICK BLVD., UNIT 310, SAVANNAH, 95

ARDSLEY STATION, 102 E. VICTORY DRIVE, SAVANNAH, 95

DUNKIN DONUTS, 7201 GA HWY 21, PORT WENTWORTH, 95

BAGGOT STREET CAFE'- ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, 11705 MERCY BLVD., SAVANNAH, 94

BURGER KING, 415 US HIGHWAY 80 E., POOLER, 94

WENDY'S, 11303 WHITE BLUFF ROAD, SAVANNAH, 94

BURGER KING #1404, 11711 ABERCORN ST., SAVANNAH, 93

JIM-N-NICK'S BAR B Q, 147 TRADERS WAY, POOLER, 93

CAVA, 1821 E VICTORY DRIVE, SUITE 107, SAVANNAH, 92

HIDEAWAY SPORTS BAR & GRILL INC., 318 MALL BLVD., BLDG. 800, Unit C & D, SAVANNAH, 92

FOXY LOXY PRINT GALLERY AND CAFE, 1919 BULL ST., SAVANNAH, 91

HAMPTON INN & SUITES, 20 JOHNSTON ST., SAVANNAH, 91

ECONO LODGE, 6 GATEWAY BLVD., SAVANNAH, 91

ASIAN RIVER, 120 TOWNE CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 100, POOLER, 90

Low Scores and Why

CAREY HILLIARD'S RESTAURANT, 5350 HIGHWAY 21, GARDEN CITY, 89

Inspector Notes: Observed 3 working containers of chemicals not containing a label. Observed ROP chicken in the walk-in cooler. Observed ROP fish thawing in the cooler with the packaging intact. Advised PIC to remove fish from ROP prior to thawing. 

ST. NEO'S BRASSERIE, 7 DRAYTON ST., SAVANNAH, 89

Inspector Notes: Observed build up on the baffle inside the ice machine. Observed old food labels stuck on clean containers on the clean dish storage rack. Observed inspection report to be posted in the kitchen and not clearly visible for guests in the dining area. Observed wet nesting of clean containers on the clean dish storage rack. Observed facility to not have high heat test strips or other irreversible measuring device for high heat dish machine. 

CAREY HILLIARD'S RESTAURANT, 8410 WATERS AVE., SAVANNAH, 86

Inspector Notes: Observed dishes (tea pot and long-handled spoon) stored in the hand sink (not accessible for use).  Observed food stored uncovered in reach-in cooler and both walk-in coolers. (lettuce, cucumbers, chicken, diced onions, bbq sauce). Observed food stored on floor next to hot-holding line (bbq sauce) and also in walk-in cooler (also bbq sauce). Observed dry-goods stored on floor at door for curb-side (utensils and condiments). Observed employees wearing jewelry (bracelets and watch) while actively prepping food. Build-up of debris in walk-ins (on air curtains, walls and compressor fan). Build-up of debris and ice inside of walk-in freezer. Observed build-up of debris on walls, ceiling, and under equipment. Repair hole in ceiling (previously repaired) next to dish machine.

INNER CITY NIGHT SHELTER, 124 ARNOLD ST., SAVANNAH, 86

Inspector Notes: Observed facility using TPHC for hot holding foods without time marking foods. Food had been prepared at 1PM and was to be distributed at 4PM. Observed multiple foods in walk-in cooler without date marking. Observed rust and food debris on rack in walk in cooler. Observed dust build-up on ansul system. 

SAKURA 88 INC, 8465 WATERS AVE SAVANNAH, 85

Inspector Notes: Observed handwashing sink in main kitchen to be used as a dish sink for woks. Sink contained a scrubber and dish debris catcher. Observed cross contamination of ready to eat food and raw meat throughout all cold holding units in the facility. Improper separation observed in reach in cooler were raw shrimp next to cooked lo mein, vegetables next to raw chicken, raw chicken stored next to raw beef, cooked chicken and beef stored next to raw seafood. Observed old food debris throughout the cold holding units in the facility. Observed gaskets of reach in cooler near the three compartment sink to be heavily soiled with debris.

WENDY'S, 400 HIGHWAY 80 W, POOLER, 83

Inspector Notes: Observed employee container of food with no lid on handsink counter. At the time of the beginning of the inspection, the hand sink in the main kitchen was blocked by a dish cart and had no paper towels in the dispenser. Observed eggs in prep counter at 48F at 9:15am. PIC stated they use TPHC for the eggs and discard after 2 hours but have no documentation. Eggs were set on counter at 9am and will be discarded by 11am. Observed employee bottled drink in bulk ice machine. Observed mop stored in old water not in active use.

RIVERBOAT PIZZA COMPANY, 5975 OGEECHEE ROAD, UNIT 1200, SAVANNAH, 82

Inspector Notes: Observed no physical food safety manager certification within the facility. The PIC current certification is expired. Observed facility have no hand drying provisions at the hand sink. Observed the dishwasher not pull any concentration of sanitizer. Observed no date marking on multiple RTE TCS food items throughout the facility.  

DEBI'S RESTAURANT, 225 E. BAY ST., SAVANNAH, 82

Inspector Notes: Observed dish machine not pulling chlorine sanitizer. Observed plates stored near grill area with no over head protection. Observed car keys stored on plates. Observed mildew like substance on towel that is used for cups to drain in server station. Observed eggs out of temperature. Observed multiple items in reach in not date marked (Green tomatoes, tomato base, broth, yellow squash, gravy, sausage). Observed bacon out of temp. Observed major carbon/grease build up on hood system. Observed dust debris on fan in reach in coolers. Observed a red purse, coat, keys, and cell phone stored in kitchen near prep/ storage area. Observed personal coffee cups store in server station on server tray. 

LA COMARCA MEXICAN GROCERY STORE, 4811 OGEECHEE ROAD, UNIT A, SAVANNAH, 80

Inspector Notes: Observed Certified Foods Safety Manager certificate expired as of May 2023. Advised PIC to be recertified as soon as possible. Observed an oven mitt and a cup stored in the kitchen hand sink. Observed food items on the bar (cabbage, sour cream, etc.) cold-holding above 41 F. Observed inspection score not posted during inspection. (COS: PIC found inspection on the floor.) Advised PIC to ensure all current inspection reports are posted within 15 feet of the front or primary public door and between five feet and seven feet from the floor or in an area where it can be read at a distance of one foot away.

PANADERIA LA CANASTA LLC, 1545 E. MONTGOMERY CROSSROAD, SAVANNAH, 80

Inspector Notes: Observed cooked tripe stored next to raw beef in reach-in cooler. Observed cooked chicken next to raw pork in walk-in and stored above lettuce. Observed raw beef, tripe, and salsa (reach-in cooler), salsa, raw pork, tomatoes, and other prepped vegetables (walk-in) to be uncovered. Observed cooked tomatoes and cooked beef stored at room temperature for cooling. Observed mold-like build-up around gaskets of walk-in cooler. Observed walls (food splatter) and ceilings to be soiled throughout the facility. 

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: chatham county ga restaurant inspection scores for nov 1 nov 7 2023