‘Multi-generational’ roaches all over kitchen. Upstate restaurants with worst March inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Upstate in March, from many “multi-generational” roaches in a kitchen to gunky soda machine nozzles. The state each month releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments across Upstate counties.
Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in March.
Full Circle Cafe at 4118 Clemson Blvd. in Anderson
Full Circle Cafe had an inspection on March 13 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed employees failing to wash their hands before putting on gloves.
An accumulation of grime was seen on the nozzles of the soda machine. Certain foods were not being kept at proper holding temperatures. Salmon was seen being thawed without proper airflow. The front door of the building was propped wide open.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 21 and got an A grade.
Carolina Fine Foods at 625 S E Main St. in Greenville
Carolina Fine Foods had an inspection on March 13 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed multiple open employee beverages throughout the kitchen; stored on and above food contact surfaces. Old food debris and rust were seen on the kitchen can opener. Aluminum foil used to line the sandwich press was seen soiled with old food debris. Knives in the prep area were also soiled with old food debris.
Black microbial growth was seen in customer self-service ice chutes. Certain foods were seen not allowed to cool properly. No date marking was seen for all prepared foods in the facility. Old food debris and excessive grease were seen on floors throughout the kitchen.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 20 and got an A grade.
Tacos Bla Bla Ba @ Haywood at 700 Haywood Rd. in Greenville
Tacos Bla Bla Ba had an inspection on March 14 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed numerous “multi-generational” live and dead roaches throughout the facility.
Open employee drinks were seen above food contact surfaces during active food prep. A food handler was seen removing their gloves after changing tasks and not washing their hands. An employee was seen handle food with their gloves, touch their cell phone, then proceed to handle food.
Black microbial growth was seen in the ice machine.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 21 and got an A grade.
The Pasture Steakhouse at 208 N Broad St. in Laurens
The Pasture Steakhouse had an inspection on March 4 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed dead insects throughout the kitchen.
An employee was seen donning gloves without first washing his hands. The front hand sink was seen blocked by cylinders. Unprotected raw chicken and steak were seen stored next to each other in a small cooler. Food remnants were seen on a meat slicer.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 11 and got an A grade.
Marco’s Pizza at 1392 W O Ezell Blvd. in Spartanburg
Marco’s Pizza had an inspection on March 20 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an accumulation of food residue on the reach-in refrigerator walls and bottom surface.
An employee was seen touching clothes and then started to prepare food without washing his hands. A partially filled chemical spray bottle was seen stored on the food storage shelf. The approved food temperature measuring device was seen not operating.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on March 28 and got an A grade.
This story was originally published April 5, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
