A mess of ant killer powder and roaches: Midlands restaurants with lowest May inspection ratings
South Carolina health inspectors found a host of violations at restaurants across the Midlands in May, from roaches on walls, to fruit flies, rat droppings and ant killer powder all over a kitchen floor.
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 May.
2 Gingers on Bush River Road in Richland County
2 Gingers had a follow-up inspection on May 6 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed dead roaches and roaches on wall and floor on the cook line. Fruit flies were noted throughout kitchen and storage areas.
The inspector also observed a pot filled with soup at 106 F that was cooked the previous night and prepared and cooked food items not date marked. Buildup on floors underneath and behind equipment throughout, along with black dust and grime noted on ceiling tiles and vents above food prep areas was also seen.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on May 16 and got an A grade.
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on John Mark Dial Drive in Richland County
The detention center was inspected on May 6 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed roach activity in the dry storage area and pipe under the sink across from the walk-in cooler and rodent dropping inside of the walk-in cooler.
Black build up inside and outside doors of an ice machine near dry storage and black build up inside of the ice machine by the serving line was observed.
Certain foods were not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The inspector also observed a 6” full pan of shredded chicken covered and stacked, not cooling properly and deli meat being thawed in standing water inside of a perp sink.
The detention center had two follow-up inspections on May 16 and May 26 and received two more C grades.
Applebee’s on Devine Street in Richland County
Applebee’s had a follow-up inspection on May 19 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fruit fly activity at the serving line under the wait staff section. Also observed food debris build up under equipment, counters throughout the kitchen and low grout and damaged floor tiles throughout the kitchen and bar area.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on May 24 and got an A grade.
Cocos and Beer Authentic Mexican Grill on Sparkleberry Lane in Richland County
Cocos was inspected on May 9 and got a C grade
An inspector observed that an employee handled raw chicken with gloved hands, wiped hands on a towel, then proceeded to handle ready to eat foods. The inspector also observed plates with splash and food drip and debris stored as clean. And a slicer was noted with dried up food debris.
Certain foods were not maintained at the proper temperatures. Also, raw shrimp and raw chicken were stored above ready-to-eat foods in the walk-in cooler.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on May 12 and got an A grade.
Menkoi Ramen on Gervais Street in Richland County
Menkoi Ramen had an inspection on May 18 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed certain foods not maintained at proper holding temperatures and cooked pork that was not cooling properly.
Also observed were boxes of food being stored directly on the floor in the dry storage area and 5-gallon buckets of sauces in the walk-in cooler being stored directly on the floor.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on May 26 and got another C grade.
El Mariachi on Sunset Blvd. in Lexington County
El Mariachi was inspected on May 3 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee meal on the food prep table, an employee rinsing hands off in mop sink instead of using the handwashing sink and that the handwashing sink was being used to hold corn husk.
Also observed was fuzzy growth and discoloration on some prickly chayote squash and other foods not being held at proper temperatures.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on May 12 and got an A grade.
Mi Tierra on Highway 321 in Lexington County
Mi Tierra was inspected on May 13 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed a thick powder on floors and under equipment in the kitchen that was identified as residential ant killer. Also observed were small, dead roaches and other insects in the powder on the floor under the equipment in the kitchen.
An employee was also observed rinsing hands without using soap and certain foods were not being maintained at proper temperatures.
This restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on May 26 and got an A grade.
