Dead roaches. Brown slime on chicken. Midlands restaurants with worst January inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Midlands in January, from dead roaches under equipment to chicken covered in brown slime and sour cream with fuzzy growth on it. 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 January.
New China at 10201 Dunbarton Blvd. in Barnwell
New China had an inspection on Jan. 14 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an excessive amount of grease and grime buildup on the cutting board used to cut chicken wings. Also observed an excessive amount of grime buildup on fryer baskets.
Sweet and sour sauce was seen not kept at a proper hot holding temperature. An accumulation of grease and grime was seen on the inside and outside of the microwave. An accumulation of grease and grime was also seen underneath equipment and throughout the kitchen. Hot water was unavailable in the facility at the time of the inspection.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on Jan. 24 and got an A grade.
Quick Serve 2 at 108 Main St. in Lexington
Quick Serve had an inspection on Jan. 21 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed areas where dead insects had accumulated. Also observed multiple gaps and holes in the wall on the exterior leading inside the facility.
Food was seen stored on the floor behind the cashier’s counter. An employee left the kitchen area to get a drink and then came back, touching food contact surfaces and handles without washing their hands.
Cheese, ham, sour cream, and other food products were found with layers of fuzzy growth on them. Equipment was not clean to sight and touch. A buildup of fuzzy growth was seen inside the ice machine. Certain foods were seen kept past expiration dates.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on Jan. 23 and got an A grade.
Nacho Margarita at 745 Marina Way in Newberry
Nacho Margarita had an inspection on Jan. 15 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee handling dirty dishes, then cleaning dishes without washing their hands.
Raw foods were seen stored above ready-to-eat foods in several coolers. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Several open containers of food were seen stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Foods were seen stored in open, soiled cans.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection and got another C grade. A second follow-up inspection has not yet been held.
Tank Man’s Garage Tavern at 1250 Wilson Road in Newberry
Tank Man’s Garage Tavern had an inspection on Jan. 17 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed shell eggs in a bowl in the reach-in cooler covered in green fuzzy growth.
Dirty dishes and pans were seen stacked and stored as clean. No consistent date marking system was in place. Food was seen stored in an open, soiled can. Heavy grease buildup was seen behind fryers, on the gas line, and pooling on the floors. Grime and dirt were seen on equipment in the kitchen.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on February 24 and got another C grade. A second follow-up inspection has not yet been held.
Brooklyn Express Pizza at 7741 Broad River Road in Richland
Brooklyn Express Pizza had an inspection on Jan. 21 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee wash dirty dishes, rinse them, then stack them as clean without washing their hands.
Dirty dishes, pans, and containers with food matter and debris present were seen stored as clean. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. No date marking system was in place. All equipment in the facility was seen covered in food matter and debris.
A required follow-up inspection has not yet been held.
Hyatt Place at 1130 Kinley Road in Richland
Hyatt Place had an inspection on Jan. 16 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed dirty dishes with food debris stacked and stored as clean.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Foods were seen thawing in the refrigerator against manufacturer guidelines. Single service supplies were seen stored directly on the floor. Two convection ovens, one steamer, one single-door reach-in freezer, and the dish machine were not operational at the time of the inspection.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on Jan. 24 and got another C grade. A second follow-up inspection has not yet been held.
Miyo’s on Forest at 3250 Forest Dr. in Richland
Miyo’s on Forest had an inspection on Jan. 8 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed dead roaches underneath equipment and in dry storage. Also observed a working container of salmon stored directly on the floor of the sushi bar as well as open 5-gallon buckets of different types of sauces stored directly on the floor.
Employees were seen switching between handling raw food and ready-to-eat food without washing their hands. Raw eggs were seen stored above an uncovered container of shredded carrots. Pans of raw shrimp were seen stored above an uncovered container of cooked chicken. Dishes with food debris on them were seen stored as clean.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on Jan. 14 and got an A grade.
R & B Bar and Grill at 104 B Columbia NE in Richland
R & B Bar and Grill had an inspection on Jan. 16 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed pests in the dish area.
A sticky film and brown slime were seen on chicken in the walk-in cooler. Grease and food debris buildup were seen on fryer baskets. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on Jan. 24 and got an A grade.
Sato Japanese Steak House at 1999 Beltline Blvd. In Richland
Sato Japanese Steak House had an inspection on Jan. 15 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed staff members not washing their hands when switching from raw meats to ready-to-eat foods.
Food not properly covered was found in the walk-in freezer. Dirty dishes were seen stored as clean. Fuzzy growth was seen inside the ice machine. Single service boxes were seen stored on the floor.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on Jan. 23 and got an A grade.
Tacos Locos & Grill at 2009 N Beltline Blvd. in Richland
Tacos Locos & Grill had an inspection on Jan. 6 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed dead pests in the ceiling tiles in the kitchen and bar area.
Dirty dishes were seen stored as clean. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Beef was seen thawing in a bin on the counter. Grease runoff was seen underneath the grease bin.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on Jan. 14 and got an A grade.
Tienda Mexicana El Mariachi at 1735 Decker Blvd. in Richland
Tienda Mexicana El Mariachi had an inspection on Jan. 21 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed employees washing hands without soap. Also observed employees changing from handling raw meat to handling single-service items without washing hands.
Raw, repackaged meats were seen stored in contact with other types of raw meats in freezers. Food debris was seen on meat cutting devices and knives stored as clean. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Open containers of food and packaged food were seen stored directly on the floor.
A required follow-up inspection has not yet been held.
