Roaches, sewage in kitchen & moldy sauce. Midlands restaurants with worst March inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Midlands in March, from roaches and dead insects to raw sewage flowing through a kitchen. 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.
Freddy’s at 505 E. Martintown Rd. in Aiken
Freddy’s had an inspection on March 13 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee place a head visor on a push cart contaminated with ground beef, then later place it back on the head, creating a potential source for cross-contamination.
Several employees were seen donning gloves without washing their hands before working with food. An employee was seen placing plastic wrap on a push cart with ground beef particles on it, then using the wrap for uncooked bacon. Black organic buildup was seen inside the ice machine.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 18 and got an A grade.
LJ’s Par and Grill at 381 Pilgrim Church Rd. in Lexington
LJ’s Par and Grill had an inspection on March 19 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee wash their hands for less than 20 seconds after handling raw salmon. They also observed an employee not wash their hands before handling ready-to-eat food after handling raw chicken and raw shredded beef.
A case of raw chicken was seen inside a cooler stored directly on top of raw shrimp. The date marking system was not provided for bulk chicken wings and cooked cabbage. An open case of potatoes was seen stored on the floor underneath multiple bottles of chemicals.
A required follow-up inspection has not yet been held.
Quick Serve 2 at 108 Main St. in Lexington
Quick Serve 2 had an inspection on March 18 and got a C grade.
The facility voluntarily closed due to sewage in the kitchen and a lack of hot water access.
An inspector observed several areas with dead insects. They also observed openings in the exterior walls that led into the facility.
An employee was seen not washing their hands after handling raw meat, then switching to ready-to-eat items. An employee was seen picking a glove up off the floor, then wearing it and serving customers.
Fuzzy growth was seen on produce and in cooked sauces. Food was seen stored on the floor. Hot water was unavailable at all washing stations.
The business had two follow-up inspections on March 20 and 24 and earned more C grades.
Ruby Tuesday at 5464 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington
Ruby Tuesday had an inspection on March 5 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed roaches and dead insects throughout the facility.
Fuzzy white growth was seen on lemons and zucchini in the walk-in cooler. Portioned and cut raw vegetables were seen stored inside the cooler underneath raw meat. Dishes with food debris were seen stored as clean.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Debris and food buildup were seen on multiple non-food contact surfaces.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 14 and got an A grade.
San Jose & Marina at 3340 Hwy 378 in Lexington
San Jose & Marina had an inspection on March 8 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee eating and drinking in the kitchen.
An employee was seen not washing hands after handling tongs stored inside raw chicken in a prep cooler. Multiple employees were seen not washing hands before changing tasks after handling raw meats.
Certain foods were seen not allowed to cool properly overnight. Several boxes of single-service items were seen stored on the floor.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 20 and got an A grade.
Smitty’s Country Store at 2035 Main St. in Newberry
Smitty’s Country Store had an inspection on March 4 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed rodent droppings throughout the facility. Also observed were flies in the kitchen, several fly strips above cash registers, and food warmers full of dead flies.
An employee with long painted fingernails was seen cooking, handling, and serving food. Raw foods were seen stored with ready-to-eat foods. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 21 and got an A grade.
Angel Restaurant at 10136 Two Notch Rd. in Richland
Angel Restaurant had an inspection on March 25 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed shrimp thawing in a bucket and not under approved thawing methods.
An employee was seen changing tasks without washing hands. Raw animal foods were seen not separated in the walk-in freezer and cooler. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
A required follow-up inspection has not yet been held.
Great Wall at 2700 H Broad River Rd. in Richland
Great Wall had an inspection on March 7 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed dead roaches throughout the facility. Egg casings were also seen in the facility.
Buckets of food, such as thawing shrimp, were seen on the floor. An employee was seen using the register to handle food without washing hands. Other employees were seen changing tasks from food prep to cooking foods without washing hands. Raw chicken was seen stored over raw beef, pork, and seafood in the walk-in cooler.
Dirty wire racks were seen used to store egg rolls. Brown stains were seen on a bucket used to soak vegetables.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 14 and got an A grade.
This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
