Rat droppings all over. Rotten enchiladas. Midlands restaurants with worst May inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Midlands in May, from rat droppings and rotting food, to dead insects in kitchens. 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 May.
Crab King of Aiken at 1147 York St. NE in Aiken
Crab King of Aiken had an inspection on May 28 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed dead insects throughout the kitchen area. Also observed insect droppings throughout the kitchen on walls near holes.
Shell eggs were seen stored over single use drinks and other ready to eat condiments. Dirty pans and other equipment were seen stored as clean. The hot water tank in the employee rest room was seen with an excessive water leak, which was being collected in a large cooking pot.
An HVAC vent had fallen through the ceiling tile and was hanging in the employee restroom.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Green Boundary Club at 780 Whiskey Road in Aiken
Green Boundary Club had an inspection on May 30 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed rotting enchiladas and pre-made salads in the walk-in cooler.
Raw beef was seen stored over ready-to-eat items in the refrigerator. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper cold holding temperatures. Some foods were seen kept after their seven-day expiration date.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Taj Aiken Indian Cuisine at 213 Richland Ave. W in Aiken
Taj Aiken Indian Cuisine had an inspection on May 29 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed bulk spice bags and containers left open in the back storeroom, directly on the floor.
Pans of uncovered raw shrimp were seen stored directly next to ready to eat foods. Uncovered raw chicken was seen stored directly next to cooked chicken breasts in the walk-in cooler. Bowls, cutting boards and various utensils were seen left unclean from the previous shift. Black organic growth was seen inside the ice machine.
Food splash was seen on fronts of cooler doors, on the stove top and on walls near food prep surfaces.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Bistro on the Boulevard at 1085 Lake Murray Blvd in Lexington
Bistro on the Boulevard had an inspection on May 21 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee rinse hands and did not wash them thoroughly when handling raw foods before returning to cook line. Also observed employee handle raw proteins, then switch task to work with ready to eat foods without washing hands. And another employee was seen handling sliced bread with bare hands without donning gloves.
Harsh chemicals were seen stored above food products. Creamed corn made the previous day seen not allowed to cool properly. Ice buckets were seen stored upside down on a soiled black mat under the service counter. Paint was seen flaking and peeling on walls in the kitchen over food prep areas.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 28 and got an A grade.
China King at 760 Hwy 378 in Lexington
China King had an inspection on May 27 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed large bags of rice, flour, corn starch stored underneath handwashing sink waste pipes and exposed to splashes from the sink.
Employees were seen not washing hands in-between changing tasks. Raw chicken wings were seen stored directly on top of produce inside the walk-in cooler. Raw packs of chicken were seen stored directly on top of pork ribs sitting out inside a shopping cart.
Dishes with grime and debris buildup were seen stored as clean.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Ferrara Real NY Pizza at 6801 St. Andrews Road in Lexington
Ferrara Real NY Pizza had an inspection on May 20 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fruit flies throughout the prep areas and dining areas.
Employees were seen not washing hands before donning gloves, after handling dirty dishes or when switching tasks. An employee was seen touching food on a plate with bare hands. Both hand sinks were seen blocked with utensils and containers.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 23 and got an A grade.
San Jose Mexican Restaurant at 115 Northpoint Dr. in Lexington
San Jose Mexican Restaurant had an inspection on May 22 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee use bare hands to flip tortilla on flat top.
Raw beef patties were seen stored above ready to eat food. Rice and meat cooked the previous day were seen not reheated properly. A pan of refried beans were not allowed to cool properly from the previous day. Gaps were seen along the back door entrance of the facility. Black build up was seen inside the ice machine.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Taqueria El Primo at 646 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington
Taqueria El Primo had an inspection on May 5 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies in the facility.
Employees were seen handling raw fish then not washing hands before changing tasks. Raw whole fish was seen stored above open ready to eat food in the reach-in cooler. Repackaged raw chicken was seen stored above raw beef inside the reach-in freezer. Dishes with multiple label residue were seen stored as clean.
Prepped food from the previous night was seen not allowed to cool properly. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 16 and got an A grade.
Applebee’s at 10102 Two Notch Road in Richland
Applebee’s had an inspection on May 13 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies throughout the kitchen.
An employee was seen changing tasks without washing hands. Also, an employee was seen washing dishes in the hand sink. A black substance was seen on vegetables in the walk in cooler. Dishes with food debris on them were seen stacked as clean.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 29 and got an A grade.
Beef O Brady’s at 4561 Hardscrabble Road in Richland
Beef O Brady’s had an inspection on May 6 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed dead insects in lighting panels.
An employee was seen changing tasks without washing hands. An employee was seen handling ready to eat foods with bare hands. Food debris was seen on dishes stored as clean.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 14 and got an A grade.
Bowl N’ Burrito at 2000 Clemson Road in Richland
Bowl N’ Burrito had an inspection on May 5 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed food stacked on the floor throughout the kitchen.
An employee was seen changing tasks without washing hands. The hand sink was seen blocked with a chair and a door. Raw chicken was seen stacked on top of cut broccoli in the walk-in cooler.
Dishes with food debris on them were seen stored as clean. Ceiling tiles were missing throughout the kitchen.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 14 and got an A grade.
Crafty Crab at 700 Gervais Street in Richland
Crafty Crab had an inspection on May 15 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed a heavy presence of flies on dishes, trash cans and equipment.
Food was seen stored on the floor in the walk-in freezer. Multiple uncovered drinks were seen on and around the prep areas and cutting boards. Employee was seen not washing hands before handling food.
Sink was seen blocked by beer kegs stored in front of it. Condensation was seen dripping onto open food containers in cases. Build up was seen on racks and equipment areas that holds clean dishes.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 29 and got an A grade.
Jamal’s Deli at 4561 Hard Scrabble Road in Richland
Jamal’s Deli had an inspection on May 5 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee drying hands on apron after washing hands. Also observed employees changing tasks without washing hands.
Raw meats were seen stored with cooked food items. Dishes with food debris were seen stored as clean.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Chemicals were seen stored with food items. Food items were seen stacked on the floor throughout the facility.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 21 and got an A grade.
Jasmine Buffet at 7461 Two Notch Road in Richland
Jasmine Buffet had an inspection on May 15 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee spraying hands with water and not using soap. Also observed an employee changing tasks without washing hands.
Soapy water from hands was seen splashing onto raw chicken stored next to hand sink. Raw chicken was seen stored over onions in the walk in cooler.
Unapproved thawing method was being used on crab meat on the counter. Food was seen stored on the floor throughout the kitchen.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 23 and got an A grade.
Liberty at the Lake at 1602 Marina Road in Richland
Liberty at the Lake had an inspection on May 21 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed raw tuna dripping from packaging in the prep cooler over produce.
Two open cans of personal drinks were seen open over clean dishes. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Single service supplies were seen stored on the floor. All cutting board surfaces were seen soiled and stained.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 29 and got an A grade.
Lizard’s Thicket at 3147 Forest Drive in Richland
Lizard’s Thicket had an inspection on May 1 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed employees changing tasks without washing hands.
Raw shelled eggs were seen stored with cabbage. Dishes with food debris were seen stored as clean. Food was seen thawing buckets and pans. Food was seen stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 7 and got an A grade.
Millennium Buffet at 409 Blossom St. in Richland
Millennium Buffet had an inspection on May 13 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed rodent droppings throughout the facility. Also observed were dead insects under the buffet line.
Uncovered frozen food was seen with frost buildup in the freezer. Medicine was seen stored at dish racks and in server area. Garbage and grocery bags were seen used for food storage. Grime buildup was seen on can opener. Ceiling tiles with fuzzy growth and water damage were seen in the server area.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 22 and got an A grade.
Panda at 4611 Hardscrabble Road in Richland
Panda had an inspection on May 28 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed gnats under a sink.
Employees were seen changing tasks without washing hands. Ice and frost were seen directly on meats and foods in the freezer. Chicken juices were seen dripping into ready to eat sauce in the freezer.
Shredded cabbage was seen in direct contact with an unclean sink. Dishes with food debris on them were seen stored as clean.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
This story was originally published June 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
