These Midlands restaurants had the lowest health inspection ratings in September, October
South Carolina health department workers found rodent droppings, roach activity and flies during restaurant inspections in the months of September and October.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control each month releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments across Lexington and Richland counties.
Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in September and October, based on The State’s review.
▪ Publico Kitchen & Tap, Greene Street in Columbia
During a Sept. 23 inspection of Publico Kitchen & Tap in Five Points, DHEC health inspectors awarded the restaurant a score of 79, or a B.
While at the Five Points eatery, inspectors saw drain flies by the mop sink and the dry storage area. They also noticed an employee wash their hands without using soap. Employees also failed to wash their hands between points of contamination, according to the report. Inspectors also saw standing water in the bottom of cabinet coolers.
Inspectors also marked that the restaurant’s cooler was not holding to the proper temperature. Publico has since replaced the cooler, its owner said.
Since DHEC’s September inspection, Publico has received follow-up visits. During two of the follow-up inspections, Publico was awarded a C, but on Oct. 15, the restaurant was given an A.
▪ IHOP, Assembly Street in Columbia
The IHOP on Assembly Street received a B, or an 80, during an inspection Sept. 28.
While at the restaurant, DHEC inspectors saw an employee touch raw chicken and then deli ham without properly washing their hands, according to the inspection report. Inspectors also noticed “roach activity at expo line.” A microwave in the wait staff area had “heavy debris build up.”
In the past, the IHOP on Assembly Street received all A’s. During subsequent follow-up inspections, the restaurant received a B and two C’s .
▪ PQ Grill of Harbison, Columbiana Drive in Columbia
After a Sept. 22 inspection of PQ Grill in Harbison, DHEC inspectors awarded the restaurant with an 86 or a B.
There, inspectors saw soiled knives stored as if they were clean. The restaurant failed to store raw meat at the proper temperatures, according to the inspection report. Ants were also observed crawling up the wall between some of the equipment. Inspectors also noticed dust and grime accumulation on the ceiling tiles over food prep areas, as well as grease and “food splash” on walls throughout the grill, prep and storage areas.
The Sept. 22 inspection was the restaurant’s first. During a follow-up inspection on Sept. 24, the restaurant was awarded an A.
▪ British Bulldog, Bower Parkway in Columbia
On Sept. 27, after a DHEC inspection, the British Bulldog was awarded a C or a 76.
While at the restaurant, inspectors saw “roach activity” in the prep line on equipment and the walls and “rodent droppings” on top of food storage containers. They also noticed fruit flies at the bar area. There was “black build up” on the inside of the ice machine and ice bin. Inspectors also saw an employee fail to wash their hands after touching raw food, ready to eat foods or after picking things up from the floor.
During past inspections, the British Bulldog always received an A. After a Sept. 30 follow-up inspection, the restaurant was awarded an A once again.
▪ Reggae Grill, Holland Drive in Cayce
During a Sept. 13 inspection on Reggae Grill in Cayce, DHEC inspectors awarded the restaurant a 73 or a C.
While at the restaurant, inspectors saw numerous flies in the kitchen landing on the food and surfaces that contact food. They also saw a “build up of grime and food debris” on the outside of sinks, on prep tables and walls throughout the kitchen. Restaurant workers were also using an outdoor grill even though the facility had not been approved for outdoor cooking. Inspectors saw employees coming in from outside without washing their hands prior to touching food.
During past inspections, Reggae Grill was awarded A’s. During follow-up inspections, the restaurant was given two C’s and then an A on Oct. 6.
