Rat droppings everywhere. Flies in kitchens. Midlands restaurants with worst June inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Midlands in June, from rat droppings in different parts of restaurants, to fly-infested kitchens and moldy food. 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 June.
Little China at 1018 York St. NE in Aiken
Little China had an inspection on June 17 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed multiple unprotected containers of raw meat being store over ready to eat items.
A plastic bin was seen holding meat skewers with excessive food splash in and out of the container. Black organic growth was seen inside the ice machine dispenser.
The front door of the restaurant was propped open. Baskets used to hold uncooked egg rolls were seen showing signs of wear that made it impossible to clean them.
Little China had a required followup inspection on June 26 and got an A grade.
Mi Pueblo 2 at 3607 Richland Ave. in Aiken
Mi Pueblo 2 had an inspection on June 5 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed live and dead insects through the kitchen.
Bulk bags of food ingredients were seen left open and unprotected in the dry storage room. Raw shrimp and shell eggs were seen stored over cooked ready to eat foods. Excessive metal shards and food debris were seen on the can opener blade.
Three pans of rice were seen not being kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 12 and got an A grade.
Soul & Seafood at 3553 Richland Ave. W in Aiken
Soul & Seafood had an inspection on June 12 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed raw oysters on shell without identification tags.
Raw eggs were seen stored over an uncovered pan of cooked peas in the walk-in cooler. Black grime buildup was seen inside the ice machine. Personal protein powders and other personal food items were seen stored on a shelf with food for customers.
Salmon was seen being thawed improperly.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 25 and got an A grade.
Toki Jr. at 434 Georgia Ave. in Aiken
Toki Jr. had an inspection on June 17 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed condensation splashing on uncovered food and boxes of food in the walk-in cooler.
Raw chicken pieces were seen in the handwashing sink. Raw shell eggs were see stored above ready to eat food in the walk-in cooler. Grime like buildup was seen in the ice machine.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper cold holding temperatures. Packs of cubed tuna were seen not thawing properly.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 27 and got an A grade.
Bojangles at 516 S. Hampton Street in Kershaw
Bojangles had an inspection on June 11 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies throughout the facility. Also observed that the drive thru window self closing feature didn’t work.
Employees were seen not washing hands in between glove changes and in between processes. Single service items were seen stored on the floor. Excess food and ice debris accumulation was seen in the reach-in freezer at the cook line.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 18 and got an A grade.
Fourteen Mile Tap House at 217 Saluda Springs Rd. in Lexington
Fourteen Mile Tap House had an inspection on June 18 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies in the facility.
An employee was seen washing hands in the wrong sink. Raw chicken wings were seen stored above frozen ready to eat food inside the freezer. No date markings were provided chicken wings and sliced sausage inside walk-in cooler. Black buildup was seen inside the grooves in cutting boards. Grease buildup was seen along wall and ceiling above prep table.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 26 and got an A grade.
Great Wall at 1123-B S Lake Dr. in Lexington
Great Wall had an inspection on June 13 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed rodent droppings throughout the facility. Also observed were gaps in the back screen door and in the door wall frame.
A worker was seen not using soap and not washing hands for 20 seconds. A worker was seen not using hot water when washing hands. A worker was also seen not washing hands when switching from handling raw to ready to eat foods.
Raw chicken was seen stored over ready to eat items. Uncovered food was seen stored in the freezers. Staff member eye drops were seen stored in the reach-in cooler.
Cutting boards were seen stored on the floor. Food and grease buildup was seen throughout the facility on non-food contact surfaces.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 24 and got an A grade.
La Cienega Mexican Grill at 1607 Fairlane Dr. in Lexington
La Cienega Mexican Grill had an inspection on June 11 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed previous day cooked rice inside of a more than 4-inch-thick container stored in the walk-in cooler.
Open packs of raw chicken and beef were seen rinsing in a sink instead of thawing. Cooked chips were seen being stored and strained using a dish washer rack with visible black buildup.
The restaurant had two required followup inspections on June 19 and June 26 and earned C grades. A third followup inspection has not yet been held.
South Congaree House of Pizza at 714 Main St. in Lexington
South Congaree House of Pizza had an inspection on June 4 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fly activity in the kitchen areas.
Lasagna and meat sauces were seen not allowed to cool properly. An employee was seen pushing trash down with gloved hands without changing or washing hands. An employee was seen handling dirty dishes and return to the cook line without washing hands.
Cut produce was seen stored with raw meat. Open salad toppers were seen not protected by sneeze guards. Water was seen ponding in areas of the floor where tiles were broken or missing.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 13 and got an A grade.
Tasty Wings & Seafood at 1787 S Lake Dr. in Lexington
Tasty Wings & Seafood had an inspection on June 17 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fly strips hung over food prep areas and clean dishes — some fly strips were full of dead insects. Also observed was a heavy fly and drain fly presence throughout the facility.
Employees were seen working with raw chicken with gloved hands, then use common equipment handles, touch ready to eat foods and plate entrees without a hand wash step or changing gloves. Partially cooked chicken wings were seen sitting in wing baskets above the fryer.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 24 and got an A grade.
Tokyo Grill of West Columbia at 2259 Augusta Rd. in Lexington
Tokyo Grill of West Columbia had an inspection on June 20 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies in the facility. Also observed was the back door to facility propped open.
Food debris was seen on dishes stored as clean. Chopped chicken was seen not cooked to proper temperature. A 5 gallon bucket of teriyaki sauce prepared the previous day was seen not allowed to cool properly.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 26 and got an A grade.
2 Gingers at 245 Bush River Road in Richland
2 Gingers had an inspection on June 18 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies throughout the facility and rodent droppings in the dry storage area. Also observed was fly paper hanging over walking areas and food prep areas.
An employee was seen not washing hands after coughing into hands, touching body and dirty dishes. Produce with fuzzy growth was seen stored in the cooler. Medicine was seen stored on the dry spices rack over open containers of spices.
Rusted shelves were seen used for food storage. Grease and grime were seen throughout the facility along floors and walls.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 26 and got an A grade.
El Salto Mexican Cuisine at 110 Columbia NE Dr. in Richland
El Salto Mexican Cuisine had an inspection on June 16 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies in the kitchen area. Also observed a fly strip with dead flies hanging over the prep area.
An employee with painted fingernails was seen handling exposed door without gloves. An employee was seen eating while food items were being prepped. An employee was seen washing hands without soap.
Raw chicken and beef were seen stored together in the cooler. Raw chicken was seen not kept at proper temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 27 and got an A grade.
Nick’s Gyros & Subs at 7355 Two Notch Road in Richland
Nick’s Gyros & Subs had an inspection on June 17 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an employee wash hands without soap. Also observed was an employee changing tasks without washing hands. Another employee was seen handling dirty dishes and then clean dishes without washing hands.
Dishes with food debris and grease were seen stacked as clean. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 27 and got another C grade. A second followup inspection has not yet been held.
Travinia Italian Kitchen at 101 Sparkleberry Crossing Rd. in Richland
Travinia Italian Kitchen had an inspection on June 17 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies throughout the kitchen area.
Employees were seen changing tasks without washing hands. An employee was seen handling raw meats then ready to eat food items. Dishes with food debris were stacked as clean.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 27 and got another C grade. A second followup inspection has not yet been held.
This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
