This restaurant had the worst SC health inspection in Greenville County in January. Here’s why

One Greenville area restaurant received a failing grade during January state inspections after being cited for live roaches, food stored on the floor and grease and food build up throughout.

El Horno Bakery on Wade Hampton Boulevard in Taylors received a score of 75, a C and the worst grade given by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.

The roaches were found by a three-door cooler in the kitchen bakery area, the inspection report said.

Other violations included an employee drinking from an uncovered cup stored next to food and several employees washing their hands in the three-compartment sink, which is used for washing and sanitizing dishes. Also, chlorine sanitizer test strips were not available at the sink for washing dishes.

Excessive food build up was seen on a floor mixer and dough cutter, on a stove top, under cooking equipment, under and inside coolers and on dry storage shelves.

Food was stored at improper temperatures including eggs, cream cheese and butter and some food did not have proper dates for disposal, such as ready-to-eat chicken, cut turkey, chicken tamale and vegetable and cheese tamale.

Several boxes of jam, bags of flour and shortening were stored on the floor. Two tools were found next to food containers.

Single-service and single-use items were stored in a manner where there was potential for contamination by being exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination. Several boxes of to-go cups and to-go containers were stored on the floor.

The bakery received an A grade on a follow up visit nine days later.

The Department of Agriculture conducted 277 inspections in January in Greenville County with 253 receiving A grades and 23 B.

This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 6:00 AM.