These Midlands restaurants had the lowest health inspection ratings this month

While many restaurants and stores avoided securing a “C” during their routine health department inspections this month, inspectors still found rodents, roaches and flies at Midlands restaurants in August.

The State took a look at the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s inspection reports for food establishments across the Midlands. These restaurants received some of the lowest ratings in August.

• Tacos Locos & Grill, North 12th Street in West Columbia

Mexican restaurant Tacos Locos & Grill started the month with a routine inspection, scoring a 63 percent, or a C, according to reports.

During the inspection, officials found rodents in an outdoor storage room and flies throughout the kitchen, prep area and dish area, according to the report. Large containers of food and food products were stored on the floor, including open bags. Food items were also found outside on the ground by a cooker. Employees were eating in the kitchen, and others did not wash their hands. No soap or paper towels were provided at the sinks, according to the report. Some food was stored in old detergent containers.

Additionally, inspectors found “excessive amounts of garbage” spilling out of the dumpster and surrounding areas. Grease was on the ground near the grease bin and charcoal grill outside. That grease and food dumped outside were mixing with liquid and running off into a nearby body of water, according to the report. The walk-in cooler was covered in food build up and “food splatter.”

That was the first time Tacos Locos & Grill scored lower than an A. On a follow-up report Aug. 2, the restaurant scored a 92, with inspectors still finding flies in the kitchen and grease running off into a body of water.

During an Aug. 10 follow-up, the restaurant scored a 98 percent.

• Casa Linda, Columbiana Drive in Irmo

Casa Linda, a Mexican restaurant, received a B during a routine health inspection on Aug. 9, according to reports.

Inspectors at the restaurant saw “active roach activity” on the make line, according to the report. The restaurant had paid for pest control that day. Officials also saw employees touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands. Clearly dirty knives were stored as clean, and there was a large gap under the kitchen door that opened up to the outside.

In past inspections, Casa Linda secured all A’s. During a follow up on Aug. 13, the restaurant got a perfect score.

• KJ’s Market IGA, West Columbia Avenue in Batesburg

While checking the deli and bakery at KJ’s Market IGA, a Georgia-South Carolina grocery chain, the store was given an 80 percent, or a B. It had a routine inspection Aug. 27.

During the inspection, health department officials found insecticide — Raid — stored in a cabinet with food items, according to the report. Flies were also found throughout the deli. Inspectors found “food debris and grime” accumulating on storage bins, shelving and in other places food was not supposed to be. The floor was collecting “debris” across the deli. Inspectors also found “heavily soiled tongs” hanging near a serving area.

KJ’s Market received mostly A’s on past inspections, with only two B’s since 2016. The market has yet to be inspected on a follow-up.

• North Main Fish Market, North Main Street in Columbia

Seafood restaurant North Main Fish Market was inspected Aug. 14 and given an 82 percent or a B, according to reports.

While inspecting the North Main establishment, officials found a pond of water in the walk-in cooler, according to reports. Flies accompanied the puddle and were also found throughout the facility. Bags of flour and other foods were stored on the floor. The grill had debris and grease, which were also found on other equipment, hood vents, the walls, the floor and inside of the walk-in. Three inches of water had collected in a light fixture.

During past inspections, the Fish Market came out with almost all A’s. The last time the restaurant received a lower score was in late 2017. After a follow-up inspection on Aug. 24, the restaurant scored a 99 percent, only losing points for grease under the fryers and a cracked floor.

Did you like this story? Check out our previous restaurant inspection stories.

July’s worst health inspection reports

June’s worst health inspection reports

May’s worst health inspection reports

April’s worst health inspection reports

This story was originally published August 31, 2018 at 9:28 AM.