What violations caused two Augusta restaurants to almost fail their health inspections?
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 Aug. 15 and Sept. 4, 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 Aug. 15 and Sept. 4 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:
Alumni Cookie Dough, 7025 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans
Augusta Cigar Club, 722 Broad St., Augusta
Avid Hotel , 900 Husk Box Way, Grovetown
Bowlero Augusta, 3067 Washington Rd., Augusta
Burger King, 3431 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta
Café on Eighth, 226 Eighth St., Augusta
Captain Jack's Ice Shack, 4400 Deerwood Ln., Evans
Catz Kitchen, 2456 Windsor Spring Rd., Augusta
Chick-fil-A Augusta Mall, 3450 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. 2370, Augusta
Cue and Brew Pub, 2854 Washington Rd., Augusta
Diablo's Southwest Grill, 3102 Washington Rd., Augusta
Dunkin Donuts, 498 Furys Ferry Rd., Martinez
Funnel Cake Lounge, 212 S. Belair Rd., Augusta
Grandaddy's Kitchen, 6008 Clarks Hill Rd., Appling
Hampton Belair, 4081 Jimmie Dyess Pkwy., Augusta
Home 2 Suites by Hilton Grovetown Augusta Area, 903 Husk Box Way, Grovetown
Huddle House, 175 E. Milledgeville Rd., Harlem
I Heart Mac & Cheese, 826 Cabela Dr., Augusta
KFC, 4040 Gateway Blvd., Grovetown
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, 1102 Broad St., Augusta
Nacho Mama's, 976 Broad St., Augusta
Papa John's, 3449 Peach Orchard Rd., Augusta
Pelican's Snoballs, 3326 Peach Orchard Rd., Augusta
Pelican's Snoballs, 101 E. Robinson Ave., Grovetown
Pizza Hut, 615 15th St., Augusta
Pizza Hut, 4127 Columbia Rd., Ste. 10, Martinez
Salthill Farms Coffee , 5937 Rockford Dr., Grovetown
Sbarro, 3450 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste D215, Augusta
Starbucks @ Kroger Martinez, 4115 Columbia Rd., Martinez
Surcheros Fresh Mex Augusta, 2907 Washington Rd., Ste. 402, Augusta
Taco Bell, 2850 Washington Rd., Augusta
Taquizas La Pena Bernal, 4050 Jimmie Dyess Pkwy., Augusta
The Brunch House of Augusta, 573 Greene St., Augusta
The Grove Coffee Shop, 4584 Cox Rd., Evans
Ubora Coffee, 116 North Belair Rd., Evans
Whipped Creamery, 514 Oxbow Dr., Grovetown
Whipped Creamery, 353 Furys Ferry Rd., Martinez
Chain reaction: One nationwide restaurant chain posted two lowest Augusta health inspection scores
So close
Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between Aug. 15 and Sept. 4 with scores of 99, posting just one health violation. Inspectors’ comments are included:
Domo Japanese Grill, 1522 North Leg, Augusta
Inspector's comments: "Observed scoop stored in rice. Store scoop outside rice cooker to avoid hand contact with food."
Happy China Restaurant, 4115 Columbia Rd., Martinez
Inspector's comments: "Observed staff member eating in kitchen on one of prep tables. Designate area for employees to eat/drink away from food products, food contact surfaces and prep areas."
Jimmy John's, 1129 Agerton Ln., Augusta
Inspector's comments: "Observed expired test strips for the three-compartment sink. Obtain new test strips to ensure the proper amount of sanitizer is being used."
Kono Pizza Augusta, 3114 Wayne Dr., Grovetown
Inspector's comments: "Observed several pieces of equipment with food debris. The cleaning frequency needs to be increased."
Getting warmer
Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between Aug. 15 and Sept. 4 followed by their scores:
Chick-fil-A Augusta Exchange, 202 Robert C. Daniel Jr Pkwy., Augusta: 98
Prime Time Sports Bar and Grill , 1721 Gordon Hwy., Augusta: 98
Dairy Queen Summerville, 2837 Central Ave., Augusta: 98
McAlister's Deli, 3602 Exchange Ln., Unit 3, Augusta: 98
Pizza Hut, 569 Milledgeville Rd., Ste. A, Harlem: 98
Roly Poly Sandwiches, 3626 Walton Way, Augusta: 97
Doctors Hospital Cafeteria, 3651 Wheeler Rd., Augusta: 97
Rally Point Grille, 4446 Washington Rd., Evans: 97
Hardee's, 310 W. Milledgeville Rd., Harlem: 97
Pita Pit, 4336 Washington Rd., Ste. A Evans: 97
Tipsy Bar & Grill, 239 Meridian Dr., Grovetown: 97
Latin Flavor Restaurant, 3568 River Watch Pkwy., Ste. 7, Augusta: 97
Krystal, 3170 Deans Bridge Rd., Augusta: 96
Papa John's Pizza, 112 N. Belair Rd., Evans: 96
Pizza Hut, 4431 Washington Rd., Ste. 8 Evans: 96
Wingstop, 427 Lewiston Rd., Ste. 130, Grovetown: 96
Pizza Hut Carryout, 104 Harlem-Grovetown Rd., Grovetown: 96
Tasty Town, 5225 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. 4, Grovetown: 96
Bojangles, 5105 Wrightsboro Rd., Grovetown: 96
Mi Rancho Familia, 407 Furys Ferry Rd., Martinez: 96
Curry Hut, 2810 Washington Rd., Augusta: 95
Garden Cheng, 2350 Windsor Spring Rd., Ste. E, Augusta: 95
McAlister's Deli, 230 Meridian Dr., Grovetown: 95
Mirin Asian Fusion, 630 Crane Creek Dr., Ste. 402, Augusta: 94
Domino's Pizza, 4357 Washington Rd., Ste. E, Evans: 94
A Town Wings, 190 Baston Rd., Martinez: 94
Dunkin Donuts, 5225 Wrightsboro Rd., Grovetown: 94
Auntie Anne's Cinnabon Planet Smoothie, 3450 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. 2328, Augusta: 93
Buffalo Wild Wings, 120 Robert C. Daniel Pkwy., Augusta: 93
McDonald's, 465 Lewiston Rd., Grovetown: 93
Little Caesars, 4497 Columbia Rd., Ste. 1, Martinez: 92
Little Caesars, 810 Horizon South Pkwy., Grovetown: 91
Chef JK Korean BBQ Master, 4437 Washington Rd., Evans: 91
Twin Peaks, 277 Robert C. Daniel Pkwy., Augusta: 90
The B-List
Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "B" scores in recent food-service inspections between Aug. 15 and Sept. 4 followed by their scores:
PruittHealth Augusta, 2541 Milledgeville Rd., Augusta: 89
Which Wich Superior Sandwiches, 3668 Wheeler Rd., Augusta: 89
Little Caesars, 3697 Windsor Spring Rd., Ste. 102, Hephzibah: 88
Wing Express, 503 Highland Ave., Augusta: 87
Urban Air Adventure Park, 207 Robert C. Daniel Pkwy., Augusta: 87
Subway, 155 E Milledgeville Rd., Harlem: 87
Jason's Deli, 2907 Washington Rd., Bldg. 500, Augusta: 85
Subway at Doctors Hospital, 3651 Wheeler Rd., Augusta: 84
A Town Wings, 3205 Deans Bridge Rd., Unit 9A, Augusta: 82
Not quite done
Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between Aug. 15 and Sept. 4, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:
Vallarta Mexican Restaurant, 2808 Washington Rd., Augusta: 78
Inspector's comments: "Observed two large metal trays of raw chicken stored on top of a metal tray of uncovered raw beef."
"Observed a large plastic container of uncovered chopped lettuce on the floor inside walk-in cooler."
"Observed cornitas, beef tips and beans inside walk-in cooler held above 41 degrees F; discard. Observed beef and chicken in cooler next to grill held above 41 degrees F; food items were placed on ice."
Vic's Grill, 3755 Wheeler Rd., Augusta: 77
Inspector's comments: "Observed no food protection manager certification. Obtain certification within 60 days from inspection."
"Observed pink buildup inside the bulk ice machine. Clean the ice machine ASAP. Increase cleaning frequency.
"Observed multiple time/temperature control for safety foods held above 41 degrees F. Monitor food temperatures and ensure food can be held at 41 F or below. Kitchen staff threw out all foods."
"Observed time/temperature control for safety foods held below 135 degrees F. Ensure food can be held at 135 degrees F or above for hot holding."
"Observed Ortho brand home defense pest control product. Hire a professional pest control company to get rid of pests."
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta restaurants barely pass inspection; raw chicken on raw beef