Mouse droppings. Cooked meat stored on the floor. Midlands restaurants with worst March inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Midlands in March, from rodent droppings to food stored on floors, including cooked meat. The state each month releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments across Midlands counties.
Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in March.
Red Bowl Asian Bistro at 2645 Whiskey Road in Aiken
Red Bowl Asian Bistro had a restaurant inspection on March 7 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed several cobwebs in and around the hand sink at the sushi station. Also observed was the drink machine in the kitchen holding an excessive amount of black organic growth.
Raw meats were seen stored over ready to eat foods in the cooler. The stovetop was seen with excessive buildup. Also, the microwave oven at the cook station was seen unclean.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on March 15 and got an A grade.
Bojangles at 1045 S Lake Drive in Lexington
Bojangles had an inspection on March 4 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed employees with decorated nails that extend beyond the fingertips that were not wearing gloves.
Open bags of single serve items were seen stored on top of and touching boxes used to store raw chicken. Employees were seen not washing hands between points of contamination. Food surfaces were seen unclean to sight and touch. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had three required followup inspections and earned C grades each time. The restaurant had a fourth followup inspection on March 27 and got an A grade.
China Hut III at 103 N 12th Street in Lexington
China Hut III had an inspection on March 4 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed sliced jalapeños with fuzzy growth on them and inside a container in the prep cooler. Also observed was unapproved pest control throughout the facility, including bait stations and pest control powder.
Knives with debris on them were seen stored as clean. Raw eggs and meat products were seen stored over produce and other ready to eat foods. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on March 13 and got an A grade.
New York City Pizzeria at 4350 Augusta Road in Lexington
New York City Pizzeria had an inspection on March 15 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed black buildup on the interior sides of the ice machine. Also observed were pizza screens with heavy black buildup.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Clean dishes were seen stored on the floor. Food debris and slime were seen on the floor at the entrance to the walk-in cooler.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on March 26 and got an A grade.
San Jose at 498 Piney Grove Road in Lexington
San Jose had an inspection on March 5 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed multiple open containers of food stored on the floor, including refried beans, queso and chips.
A gloved employee was seen grabbing raw chicken to place on the grill, then using the same gloves to grab vegetables. An employee was also observed handling raw meats, wipe gloves with a dirty towel or apron, then continue to plate foods.
Grime and sticky residue were seen on the exterior of chip buckets and lids. Grime was seen on the shield of the ice machine.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on March 8 and got an A grade.
Tony’s Pizzalicious at 975 Knox Abbott Road in Lexington
Tony’s Pizzalicious had an inspection on March 6 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed food stored directly on the floor throughout the facility, including a large pan of cooked ground meat.
Raw pork was seen stored over cooked buckets of sauces in the walk-in cooler.
Certain foods were seen not allowed to cool properly. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Knives and pizza slicers were seen with food debris stored as clean.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on March 14 and got an A grade.
Boeshreen at 2630 Decker Blvd in Richland
Boeshreen had an inspection on March 26 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed several buckets of partially cooked chicken stored over foods in the walk-in cooler. Chicken wings were seen being undercooked.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Several containers of meat and other foods were seen without lids. Grime and black buildup was seen in the ice machine.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Brooklyn Express at 7949 Broad River Road in Richland
Brooklyn Express had an inspection on March 25 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fruit fly activity in the prep area and back rooms.
Containers with residue were seen stored as clean. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. A buildup of food matter was seen on the sides of equipment, as well as food splash on the walls and kitchen areas.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Egg Roll Express at 550 Spears Creek Church Road in Richland
Egg Roll Express had an inspection on March 7 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed several buckets of sauce and several containers of raw chicken stored directly on the floor.
Rusted shelving was seen on prep tables in the back kitchen area. The facility was seen serving raw par cooked chicken wings and beef without proper procedures in place.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on March 15 and got an A grade.
The Grand at 1621 Main Street in Richland
The Grand had an inspection on March 27 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed tomatoes in the walk-in cooler with white growth on them. Also observed was strawberries with white growth and red onions with gray fuzzy growth on them.
Two shrimp and grit dishes were not cooked to the proper temperature.
Several items were seen held after their seven-day expiration dates. Heavy buildup was seen on shelving over the food preparation area. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
A waitress was seen grabbing chips with her bare hands for personal consumption.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Jasmine Buffet at 7461 Two Notch Road in Richland
Jasmine Buffet had an inspection on March 20 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed squid thawing in standing water. Also observed was food stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler and freezer.
Raw shelled eggs and raw seafood were seen stored above ready to eat foods in the cooler. Staff was seen rinsing off the cutting board without washing or sanitizing it.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on March 27 and got an A grade.
JD’s Place at 7727 Bluff Road in Richland
JD’s Place had an inspection on March 19 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed rodent droppings and shredded nesting materials in the dry storage area.
A buildup of grease and other debris was seen on the floors and walls throughout the facility. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Raw proteins were seen stored with and above ready to eat foods.
Employees were seen handling ready to eat food with their bare hands. An employee was seen handling raw meat and touch handles of equipment without washing hands.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on March 28 and got another C grade. A second followup inspection has not yet been held.
M Vista at 701 Lady Street in Richland
M Vista had an inspection on March 21 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee wear an apron to the restroom and return to the kitchen with the same apron.
Bags of cabbage were seen stored on the floor in front of the walk-in cooler. Raw and cooked food products were seen stored in non-food grade bags.
The walk-in cooler was seen not cooling adequately. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on March 22 and got another C grade. A second followup inspection has not yet been held.
Rivera’s Food at 1807 Decker Blvd in Richland
Rivera’s Food had an inspection on March 20 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed excessive food debris on the tortilla machine and meat slicers.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Several bags of meat were seen sitting out thawing on the table at room temperature. Rust buildup was seen on the dish rack.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on March 28 and got another C grade. A second followup inspection has not yet been held.
Suishaya Restaurant and Bar at 1516 Ellie Drive in Richland
Suishaya Restaurant had an inspection on March 13 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee fail to wash hands after prepping raw meat.
The screen door was left open without proper fly protection. Food was seen stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler. T-shirt bags were seen used for food storage.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on March 20 and got an A grade.
This story was originally published April 1, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
