These Midlands restaurants had the lowest health inspection ratings in January
South Carolina health inspectors found various colors and kinds of mysterious matter at restaurants across the Midlands during their January inspections.
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 January, based on The State’s review.
▪ Flaming Grill Supreme Buffet on Afton Street in Lexington
After a Jan. 6 inspection, DHEC health inspectors awarded Flaming Grill Supreme Buffet in Lexington a 71, or a C.
While at the restaurant, inspectors saw brown build-up inside of the ice machine and “black matter” hanging from the ceiling in the walk in cooler. Dirty dishes and utensils were stored as if they were clean. Staff were reusing single-service items like aluminum single-use pans and plastic bottles. Inspectors also noted build-up on the outside of equipment on the cook line, storage, hibachi area, dish line and walk-in units.
Flaming Grill Supreme Buffet has a checkered past when it comes to restaurant inspections, earning five C’s over the past three years. During a Jan. 14 follow-up inspection, Flaming Grill was given an A.
▪ Carrabba’s on Columbiana Drive in Columbia
Carrabba’s in Harbison was given a 77, a C, after a Jan. 18 health department inspection.
At the restaurant, DHEC workers saw fruit flies in the bar area and the kitchen. They found “pink matter” inside the ice machine and more spilled matter on shelves used for food storage. Workers saw grease dripping from the hood system onto the equipment and floor below. Some dishes with old labels and food debris were stored as if they were clean. Employees were also seen cutting bread without gloves on.
That inspection was the first time Carrabba’s in Harbison was not given an A. During a Jan. 24 follow-up inspection, the restaurant was given an A.
▪ Moctezuma’s Taqueria on Beltline Boulevard in Columbia
A Jan. 26 restaurant inspection ended with Moctezuma’s Taqueria on Beltline receiving a 73, or a C.
DHEC inspectors notices deli ham being stored between raw meat. They also noticed that employees were not washing their hands between points of contamination. Employees did not have access to handwashing cleanser or hand-drying products. The restaurant was also not using a date marking system to know how long food has been stored.
Moctezuma’s has received all A’s on past inspections. DHEC has not yet conducted a follow-up inspection.
▪ Calloways on Augusta Road in West Columbia
Calloways on Augusta Road earned a 87, a B, after a Jan. 28 restaurant inspection.
At the restaurant, DHEC inspectors saw fruit flies throughout the kitchen. They also noted that some dirty utensils were stored as clean. There was build-up on the outside of the bowls used for wings. The pizza screen was “encrusted with food matter,” according to the report. Inspectors also saw buildup on dish racks and the outside of equipment and walls of the cookline.
In past inspections, Calloways has been awarded A’s. Calloways has not yet received a follow-up inspection.
▪ El Jimador on Knox Abbott Drive in Cayce
After a Jan. 25 inspection, El Jimador in Cayce was given a 78, or a B.
DHEC workers noted there was build-up and food debris under shelving in a dry storage room. They also saw “splash” on the wall behind the flat top grill. Employees were seen touching tortillas with their bare hands and not washing their hands between points of contamination. Hand cleanser was not available.
During past inspections, El Jimador has earned an A. DHEC had not yet posted the results from a follow-up inspection.
Want to read more? Here are our stories on past inspections:
September and October inspection reports
This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 2:41 PM.
