Fruit fly swarms. Black gunk in soda nozzles. Lowcountry restaurants with worst October inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Lowcountry in October, from a swarm of fruit flies to dirty soda nozzles and employees not washing their hands. The state regularly releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments in the Lowcountry.
Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in October.
Albergotti Grill at 2225 Boundary Street in Beaufort
Albergotti Grill had an inspection on Oct. 24 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fruit flies swarming around the soda nozzles in the bar area.
Raw hamburger and raw pooled egg product were seen stored with open packages of ready to eat biscuits and English muffins.
Dirty knives were seen stored as clean. A buildup of black organic matter was seen in the soda nozzles in the kitchen and bar area. Grease and grime were seen on doors, walls and handles of equipment in the kitchen.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Nov. 4 and got an A grade.
Pho Bowl at 142 Saint James Ave. in Berkeley
Pho Bowl had an inspection on Oct. 15 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee eating and drinking on the prep line. Also observed an employee wiping his mouth a towel and gloved hands before handling food products without proper handwashing.
A buildup of a black substance was seen inside the ice machine. Certain foods were not allowed to cool properly. Food was seen stored in buckets directly on the floor in the kitchen and walk in cooler. Boxed food products were seen stored on the floor in the storage area.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Oct. 25 and got an A grade.
Chow Bella at 1740 Signal Point Road in Charleston
Chow Bella had an inspection on Oct. 31 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed bags of rolls wedged into soiled areas and the plastic wrap was not intact.
The hand sink for the employees had no running water. Food storage containers, contact surfaces of cookware and utensils were unclean to sight and touch. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. There was visible discoloration on cutting boards. Grime was seen on equipment and shelves.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Nov. 8 and got an A grade.
Taste of Tokyo at 3032 West Montague Ave. in Charleston
Taste of Tokyo had an inspection on Oct. 15 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed staff using their smartphones and not washing hands afterward.
Raw proteins were seen not properly covered in the walk in cooler. Food was seen improperly covered in the storage area. Salmon, beef and chicken were seen not kept at proper cold temperatures.
Chicken was seen thawing improperly at room temperature.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection Oct. 25 and got an A grade.
