These Midlands restaurants had the lowest health inspection ratings in December
From roaches to “white and gray growth,” health inspectors found several disturbing things while inspecting Midlands restaurants this month.
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 December, based on The State’s review.
▪ Fatz on Main Street in Lexington
After a Dec. 14 inspection of Fatz in Lexington, DHEC inspectors awarded the restaurant a 75 or a C.
While at the restaurant, health inspectors saw dead roaches and roach casings throughout the kitchen, according to their report. Dead roaches were found in the light fixture over the food prep area. “Roach activity” was noticed on the floor in the kitchen, on the walls near the hoods over the fryers, inside the reach cooler and in the bottom warmer on the make line. They were also spotted in the reach storage under the to-go cups and on the outside of bulk flour containers. Inspectors also saw rodent droppings on the floor in a room used to store drinks and on a shelf next to clean plates. Inspectors suspected that deteriorated exterior doors may not have protected the facility from pests.
Inspectors also saw “numerous soiled food contact surfaces stored as clean,” according to their report. Heavily soiled pitchers were being used as scoops for bulk products. Shelving, equipment and other parts of the kitchen were “visibly soiled and sticky to the touch.” Floors under equipment and along walls were “heavily soiled” in the kitchen.
This was the second routine inspection in two months that Fatz was awarded a C. On all other past inspections, Fatz was awarded an A. During a Dec. 20 follow-up inspection, Fatz was given an A.
▪ Hickory Tavern on Senate Street in Columbia
DHEC workers inspected Hickory Tavern in Columbia Dec. 6, awarding the restaurant a 78 or a B.
At the restaurant, inspectors saw a server placing wings and chips on a plate with their bare hands. There were food debris found on the meat slicer and heavy carbon build up on the grill. Grease and food were splashed on the outside of all equipment and walls on the cook line, according to the report. Inspectors also found standing water in the bottom of the cooler, dust built up on ceiling tiles and air vents, and debris inside of all the kitchen drains.
During a Dec. 16 follow-up inspection, Hickory Tavern was given an A. In the past, Hickory Tavern was given all A’s.
▪ San Jose Mexican Restaurant on Northpoint Drive in Lexington
During a Dec. 16 inspection, San Jose Mexican Restaurant was given a 79 or a B.
While at the restaurant, DHEC inspectors saw an employee touch raw meat and then handle ready to eat food without washing their hands. Inspectors also found cooked pork in a cooler with “white and gray growth.” The bottom wall near the dish area was also deteriorating near the floor.
In past inspections, San Jose Mexican Restaurant has earned all A’s. During a Dec. 21 follow-up inspection, San Jose was given an A.
Want to read more? Here are our stories on past inspections:
September and October inspection reports
