This SC restaurant got the worst health inspection in the Charleston area in February. Here’s why
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Charleston area in February, from moldy vegetables to dirty dishes stored as clean.
However, one Charleston-area restaurant scored worse than the others for February.
The state regularly releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments in Charleston and the surrounding area.
Here is the restaurant that received the worst rating in the Charleston area in February, followed by other area restaurants that earned low scores.
Kanji - James Island at 807 Folly Road
Kanji had an inspection on Feb. 4 and got a 67 C grade.
An inspector observed tilapia and escolar not honestly represented — the menu represents these fish as yellowtail and white tuna.
Coffee was seen not lidded while adjacent to the sushi cutting board and make table. The hand sink was obstructed and being used to store cutting boards.
The rice cookers and kitchenware were unclean to sight and touch. The sushi holding canister was not cleaned between use and not cleaned at a minimum frequency of at least every 4 hours. Rice residue from the prior day was seen inside the sushi container.
Tuna, salmon, and crab were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Opened containers of fish eggs, crab meat, and sushi fish were seen not dated. Food was seen stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler. Heads of cabbage were seen stored on soiled shelving. Gloves on the cook line were seen not stored away from potential sources of contamination. Grit, grime, and grease were seen on cook line equipment and sinks.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on Feb. 14 and got an A grade.
Athens at 1739 Maybank Highway
Athens had an inspection on Feb. 26 and got a 74 C grade.
An inspector observed heads of lettuce resting in a soiled prep sink. Also observed an employee’s beard not being restrained on the cook line.
Dirty food containers were seen stored as clean. Custard-filled pastry, pizza sauce, baked casserole, and lemon soup were seen kept past expiration date.
Containers of cooked tomato sauce were seen not called to cool properly. Grease and particle accumulation were seen on cook line equipment and shelving.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 11 and got an A grade.
Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles at 5623 Rivers Avenue
Kiki’s Chicken had an inspection on Feb. 3 and got a 75 C grade.
An inspector observed an employee pick up a waffle with bare hands.
Chicken was seen left in a sink at 62 degrees. Undated sausage was found in the cooler. The back door of the restaurant was open. Cutting boards were old and needed replacement.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on Feb. 6 and got an A grade.
Trotter Restaurant at 2008 Savannah Hwy.
Trotter Restaurant had an inspection on Feb. 26 and got a 72 C grade.
An inspector observed rotten zucchini with white organic growth in the cooler. Also observed a container of mozzarella cheese with blue organic growth.
Multiple pans of uncovered food were seen in the cooler. Cut vegetables were seen unwrapped and resting on several shelves. A foreign product was seen inside a container of blue cheese dressing.
Black organic matter was seen inside the ice machine. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 5 and got an A grade.
This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
