These Midlands restaurants had the worst inspections in August, SC inspectors say. Here’s why
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Midlands in August, from flies in kitchens to pieces of a metal scrubby on shrimp and dirty dishes stored as clean. 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 August.
Speedee Wok Chinese Restaurant at 136 N Congress St. in Fairfield
Speedee Wok had an inspection on Aug. 21 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies throughout the facility.
Egg rolls were seen stored in raw chicken boxes. Raw chicken was seen stored over cooked shrimp and other proteins.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Crispy red soup noodles were seen stored in a cardboard box. Heavy grease and food debris were seen on equipment.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 28 and got another C grade. A second followup inspection has not yet been held.
Lizard’s Thicket at 4616 Augusta Rd. in Lexington
Lizard’s Thicket had an inspection on Aug. 5 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed several fly strips with flies sticking to paper that hadn’t been changed recently to prevent buildup. Also observed fly strips over food storage areas.
Fish that was not shipped in ice was seen being stored in ice. A staff member was seen not washing hands when switching from handling raw food to handling ready to eat food. Uncovered food and dishes were seen stored in freezer with ice dripping on dishes and frozen food.
Dirty dishes were seen stored as clean. A buildup of food debris was seen in the reach-in coolers.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 11 and got an A grade.
Yummy Bowl at 1220 Bower Pkwy in Lexington
Yummy Bowl had an inspection on Aug. 26 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed metal scrubby and lemon pieces dumped on top of raw shrimp. Also observed raw shrimp in a prep sink with buildup on the sides.
Packaged raw chicken was seen stored together with ready to eat food. Workers were seen storing dirty containers as clean. Medications were seen stored over the food prep table.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Pho Viet at 2011 Devine St. in Richland
Pho Viet had an inspection on Aug. 12 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed produce stored directly on the floor in the cooler. Also observed was open sauce buckets stored directly on the floor in the walk in cooler.
An employee was seen handling raw pork on a slicer and then handle lettuce without handwashing first. An employee was seen handle lettuce with bare hands. Open egg flats were seen stored directly over cooked ready to eat pork. Packages of raw chicken and raw shrimp were seen stored directly over packaged produce items and vegetables.
Label residue and buildup were seen on dishes stored as clean. Grease, grime and buildup were seen throughout the kitchen on equipment and floors.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 28 and got an A grade.
Polliwogs at 1025 Woodley Way in Richland
Polliwogs had an inspection on Aug. 23 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies and gnats in the bar and kitchen areas. Also observed were dead insects throughout the facility.
Dirty dishes were seen stacked as clean. Certain foods were not allowed to cool or thaw properly. The floors were seen with missing baseboards and tiles.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Sumo Japanese Steakhouse at 151 Clemson Rd. in Richland
Sumo Japanese Steakhouse had an inspection on Aug. 23 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies throughout the kitchen.
An employee was seen cutting vegetables without washing them first. An employee was seen changing tasks without first washing hands. The kitchen hand sink was found to be inoperable. Raw eggs were seen stored in the same bowl with lemons.
Dirty dishes were seen stacked as clean.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 29 and got an A grade..
This story was originally published September 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
