Insect in margarine. Pink and black growth. Upstate restaurants with worst April inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Upstate in April, from microbial growth in ice machines to an insect stuck in a container of margarine. 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 April.
Epic Buffet of East Bank at 3940 Grandview Dr. in Greenville
Epic Buffet of East Bank had an inspection on April 24 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed cutting boards soiled with old food debris. Also observed was a can opener soiled with old food debris.
Black microbial growth was seen in the ice machine in the kitchen. Pink microbial growth was seen in the ice machine in the back beverage station.
Cooked noodles were not allowed to cool properly. A gap was seen in the back door. Multiple open sauce buckets were seen stored directly on the floor in the kitchen and dry storage room.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on April 28 and got an A grade.
Ingles #69 Deli at 1500 Poinsett Hwy. in Greenville
Ingles had an inspection on April 8 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed multiple live roaches in the deli/dish area.
Staff was seen switching from raw to cooked chicken without washing hands between changing gloves. The hand sink was seen blocked and full of dirty items. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper cold holding temperatures.
The floor drain was seen not draining properly.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on April 18 and got an A grade.
Kash and Karry at 1148 Pendleton St. in Greenville
Kash and Karry had an inspection on April 11 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed a food worker changing tasks without properly washing hands prior to working with food. Also observed was a food worker cutting onions with bare hands.
Clean utensils were seen stored on shelving soiled with food. A clipboard was seen being used as a cutting board. Empty boxes and debris were seen all over the kitchen area.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on April 29 and got an A grade.
Tokyo Grill & Supreme Buffet at 6124 White Horse Rd. in Greenville
Tokyo Grill had an inspection on April 22 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed a cook handling raw shrimp and a working fry basket. He also observed a worker returning from a break outside without washing his hands.
An insect was found in a container of margarine. Heavily dented cans were seen in the dry storage area. Visibly unclean knives were seen stored in a countertop crevice. Utensils were seen stored in standing water. The roof of the walk-in cooler was seen leaking.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on May 6 and got an A grade.
Pho Luck! at 311 Spartanburg Hwy in Spartanburg
Pho Luck! had an inspection on April 23 and got a C grade.
The restaurant voluntarily closed because of its many violations. It later reopened after correcting the violations.
An inspector observed employees blowing into gloves to open them up before sticking their hands inside. No hand sanitizer was seen at the hand wash sink. Raw chicken was seen stored over noodles and Thai basil in the cooler. Bags of onions were seen on the floor of the storage room.
Multiple knives were seen with a build-up of organic material. Cleaning solution was seen next to basil leaves. Windex was seen on the bar facing the buffet.
The back door was seen without a self-closing mechanism or an air curtain. Two cold buffet lands and one hot bar were missing, and sneeze guards were missing. A buildup of food debris and organic material was seen behind the grill and fryer.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on April 25 and got an A grade.
Tenango’s Mexican Restaurant at 402 Alabama Ave. in Spartanburg
Tenango’s Mexican Restaurant had an inspection on April 28 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fresh and dry food stored on the floor.
Chicken and beef were seen stored over prepared sliced food. A large pan of refried beans was seen not allowed to cool properly. Chemical grill cleaner was seen stored with liquid butter. A bus tub of seasoned chicken was seen thawing on the floor under the prep table.
Ceiling tiles were seen sagging with extensive water damage. A buildup of food debris was seen on the floor, walls, and equipment.
The restaurant had a required follow-up inspection on May 2 and got an A grade.
This story was originally published May 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
