Fruit flies and mold? These Midlands restaurants had the lowest March inspection ratings
South Carolina health inspectors found a host of violations at restaurants across the Midlands in March, from signs of fruit flies and rodents to improperly stored food and facilities in disrepair.
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 March.
Nick’s Gyro and Seafood on St. Andrews Road in Lexington
Nick’s Gyro was inspected on March 7 and was awarded a C grade.
Inspectors observed fruit flu activity in the dish area. They also observed evidence of rodent activity in storage areas.
Build up of grease, grime, dust and food debris was seen on equipment throughout kitchen. There was black buildup on a compartment sink.
Inspectors saw heavy grease accumulation on the top of a grease bin as well as on the ground around it.
There was also grease buildup, spilled matter and debris on the floors under and around equipment.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 16 and got another C. It has not yet had another required followup inspection.
Riveras Supermercado on Airport Blvd in Lexington
Riveras was inspected on March 4 and earned a C grade.
Inspectors learned the facility could not provide proof of parasite destruction in fish used in ceviche, a seafood dish.
They observed flies in a compartment sink area behind the bakery and in the sink itself. Inspectors also observed numerous bagged and boxed foods stored directly on the floor throughout.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 9 and got another C grade. It then a second followup on March 28 and got an A grade.
Tokyo Grill on Decker Blvd in Richland
Tokyo Grill was inspected on March 3 and received a B grade.
Inspectors observed fruit flies by the sushi area, mop sink, dry storage area and outside closet storage area. They also observed a vegetable slicer with food debris being stored as clean and certain foods that were not being kept at proper holding temperatures.
Food was observed being stored directed on the floor in the dry storage area and food debris was seen inside of the walk-in cooler and throughout the kitchen.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 11 and got an A grade.
Bernie’s Restaurant on Bluff Road in Richland
Bernie’s was inspected on March 30 and got a B grade.
Inspectors observed flies in the kitchen and dining area. They also observed broken floor tiles by a compartment sink and dust buildup on air vents and ceiling tiles throughout the kitchen.
A required followup inspection had not been conducted by the end of March.
China Kitchen on Farrow Road in Richland
China Kitchen was inspected on March 8 and awarded B grade.
Inspectors observed cooked chicken in the walk in cooler in large containers that were being improperly cooled.
The facility had wastewater backing up into it. The wastewater was plumbed to travel through pipes and into a storm drain.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 15 and got an A grade.
Domino’s on Garners Ferry Road in Richland County
Domino’s was inspected on March 10 and awarded a C grade.
Inspectors cited it for repeated violations of not holding food at proper temperatures.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 18 and got an A grade.
Food Lion #2506 Deli/Bakery on Harden Street in Richland County
Food Lion Deli was inspected on March 7 and received a B grade.
Inspectors cited it for consecutive violations of not holding food at proper temperatures.
The deli had a follow up inspection on March 17 and got an A grade.
KFC #12 on Garners Ferry Road in Richland
KFC was inspected on March 30 and was awarded a B grade.
Inspectors observed raw chicken being thawed in a compartment sink with the wash and sanitizing sides filled up. They also observed insufficient cooking times and temperatures were used for raw animal food, as well as improper holding temperatures for food.
The restaurant had not had its required followup inspection by the end of March.
Lizard’s Thicket on Elmwood Ave. in Richland
Lizard’s was inspected on March 7 and awarded a B grade.
Inspectors observed a cart blocking the handwashing sink across from serving line. Approved cooling methods for food was not verified. Inspectors also observed grits and sausage gravy in the walk-in cooler tightly covered and not cooling properly.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 14 got an A grade.
Moctezuma Taqueria on Beltline Blvd in Richland
Moctezuma Taqueria was inspected on March 25 and got a B grade.
Inspectors observed a server grabbing ready-to-eat product with his bare hand. They also observed refried beans, queso and shredded chicken cooked the day before not cooling properly inside of a cooler.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 30 and got another B grade. It had not yet had its required followup inspection by the end of March.
Shoney’s on Garners Ferry Road in Richland
Shoney’s was inspected on March 10 and got a B grade.
Inspectors observed an employee slicing deli ham without gloves, along with various foods and meats not being held at proper temperatures. Inspectors also observed water build up on the bottom of wait staff double door cooler, a worn gasket on the cook line prep table, rusted racks inside of an air cooler at the make line, ice build up inside of the walk-in freezer and a torn gasket in walk-in freezer door.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 18 and got an A grade.
Tonella’s Pizza Kitchen on Dutch Fork Road in Richland
Tanella’s was inspected on March 1 and got a B grade.
Inspectors observed sauce that was reheated starting at 10:30 a.m., which did not give it adequate time to reach 165 F within 2 hours. Food was prepared or opened and stored under refrigeration for more than 24 hours without use of an established date marking system.
Inspectors observed the floor in disrepair under the ice machine and the wall separating at the bathroom entrance. Debris was noted on flooring under and around equipment, shelving and storage throughout.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 11 and got an A grade.
Very’s Great Philly Food on Two Notch Road in Richland
Very’s was inspected on March 16 and got a B grade.
Inspectors observed an employee assembling a sandwich without gloves and food containers with food debris stored as clean. They also observed black build up inside of the ice machine.
Bits of food and grease were seen throughout the kitchen on equipment and walls. Also, the floor was in poor repair throughout the kitchen, making the surface no longer smooth and cleanable.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 25 and got another B grade. A second required followup inspection had not been held by the end of March.
Woody’s on Main Street in Richland
Woody’s was inspected on March 9 and received a B grade.
Inspectors observed discolored and a wilted spinach bag in walk-in cooler, caramelized onions, slaw and ranch dressing with past use by date and an employee cutting lime wedges with bare hands.
Also, a brisket not reheated properly was found in warming cabinet and cases of food were being stored directly on the floor in the walk-in freezer. The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 14 and got an A grade.
Belly’s Southern Pride BBQ on Augusta Highway in Lexington
Belly’s was inspected on March 16 and got a B grade.
Inspectors observed employees not washing hands between points of contamination, certain foods not kept at proper holding temperatures and deep pans of foods in the walk-in cooler that were not cooling properly.
They also observed boxed single serve items stored directly on the floor throughout the kitchen, a buildup of grime on floors, under equipment and throughout the kitchen, along with heavy dust on the ceiling directly above food preparation areas.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 18 got an A grade.
Carolina Ale House on Columbiana Circle in Lexington
Carolina Ale House was inspected on March 23 and got a B grade.
Inspectors observed that proper holding temperature times were not maintained for certain food items, raw fish pieces thawing in standing water and black buildup under and around equipment throughout kitchen areas.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 29 and got an A grade.
La Estrella on Airport Blvd in Lexington
La Estrella was inspected on March 7 and got a C grade.
Inspectors observed raw and cook shrimp stored in the same pan in the prep cooler of the kitchen, soiled knives stored as clean in both the kitchen and meat market and food contact containers in the meat market that were not clean to the sight or touch.
They also observed beans stored in a bucket previously used for detergent in the walk in cooler and numerous food contact storage containers in both the meat market and kitchen that were cracked and broken.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 17 and got another C grade. A second followup was held on March 25 and the restaurant received an A grade.
Mi Tierra on Highway 321 in Lexington
Mi Tierra was inspected on March 15 and got a C grade.
Inspectors observed an employee rinsing hands between points of contamination without the use of soap, employees handling ready to eat foods with bare hands and an employee washing dishes without a sanitizing step.
They also observed soiled plates that were stored as clean, certain foods not kept at proper holding temperatures, bagged foods stored directly on the floor of the market and kitchen and the facility reusing single-serve bags to repackage foods for the market.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 24 and got another C grade. It had not had another required followup inspection by the end of March.
No. 1 China on Augusta Road in Lexington
No. 1 China was inspected on March 17 and got a B grade.
Inspectors observed loosely covered raw chicken stored over loosely covered beef in the walk-in freezer, noodles stored in a raw chicken box, cooked chicken wings placed on an empty onion bag to absorb oil and raw shrimp and raw chicken stored over cooked food.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 25 and got an A grade.
Red Lobster on Knox Abbott Drive in Lexington
Red Lobster was inspected on March 8 and got a B grade.
Inspectors observed an employee on the cook line handle raw products, then clean tableware without washing hands and also an employee in the dish room handle soiled dishes, then clean dishes without washing hands. They also observed soiled tableware stored as clean, soiled utensils stored as clean, raw shrimp and raw steak not kept at proper holding temperatures and bagged foods stored directly on the floor of the store room.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 10 and got an A grade.
San Jose Mexican Restaurant on Augusta Highway in Lexington
San Jose was inspected on March 22 and got a B grade.
Inspectors observed employees not washing hands between points of contamination, which included, but was not limited to: after handling raw foods, then ready to eat foods; handling soiled dishware, then clean dishware; after a drink break, then handling foods and touching food contact surfaces.
They also observed workers not reheating rice and queso to proper temperatures within 2 hours, loose wire used to repair fry basket and floors, walls and the ceiling in bad repair-broken, holes in walls, gaps, not smooth or easily cleanable.
The restaurant had not had a followup inspection by the end of March.
Southside Restaurant on Charleston Highway in Lexington
Southside was inspected on March 9 and got a B grade.
Inspectors observed employees not washing hands between points of contamination, which included between raw foods and ready to eat foods, raw foods and clean plate surfaces and handling dirty dishes and clean dishes.
They also observed employees handle ready to eat foods with bare hands, certain foods that were not kept at proper holding temperatures and deep build up of grease and food debris behind the cook line
The restaurant had a followup inspection on March 17 and got an A grade.
Wings and More on Columbiana Circle in Lexington
Wings and More was inspected on March 24 and got a C grade.
Inspectors observed employees not washing hands at any point or between points of contamination, raw eggs stored over produce and raw chicken stored over ready to eat products.
Certain foods were not kept at proper holding temperatures and black buildup was noted inside the ice machine.
There had been no required followup inspection by the end of March.
This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 11:24 AM.
