Rat droppings with flour. Hanging slime. Worst SC Midlands September restaurant inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Midlands in September, from rodent droppings in tubs with flour to hanging black slime in an ice machine. 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 September.
Duke’s Bar-B-Que at 4248 Whiskey Road in Aiken
Duke’s Bar-B-Que had an inspection on Sept. 25 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed cases of product stored directly on the floor near the back door.
Coleslaw and potato salad on the buffet line were seen not kept at proper cold holding temperatures. Cups with no handles were seen being used as scoops in bulk dry food such as coffee grounds and dry milk.
Plywood floors were seen with excessive grease and buildup. Gaskets in freezer next to fryer were seen with excessive black growth.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 26 and got an A grade.
Little Howie’s at 103 Williamsburg Street in Aiken
Little Howie’s had an inspection on Sept. 16 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed rodent droppings in large food tubs holding bags of flour.
Cooks were seen wearing visibly unclean aprons while working at multiple stations. Large yellow bins without lids were seen holding raw chicken in the walk-in cooler.
Multiple prep cooks were seen handling raw meat while handling gloves, then change gloves without proper hand washing. A cook was seen using a hand sink to mix fry batter. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper cold holding temperatures.
Wood used to frame the walk-in freezer was seen with excessive black growth. Excessive buildup was seen on hand sink in the kitchen.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 24 and got an A grade.
New Tokyo Hibachi Grill at 3555 Richland Ave. in Aiken
New Tokyo Hibachi Grill had an inspection on Sept. 12 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed tubs of soy sauce stored directly on the floor under the hand washing sink.
An employee was seen washing hands without soap. An employee was seen touching nose while handing ready to eat sushi products before putting on gloves. An employee was seen handling raw sushi products with bare hands.
Raw chicken was seen stored next to and over ready to eat produce in the freezer. Cooking equipment was seen with excessive residue stored as clean. Chopped crab and raw salmon were seen not kept at proper cold holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 22 and got an A grade.
Blaney’s Wings and Grill at 109 Old Chapin Rd. in Lexington
Blaney’s Wings and Grill had an inspection on Sept. 17 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed a case of potatoes stored on the floor. Also observed multiple cases of potatoes stored under a sink next to the plumbing line.
An employee was seen not washing hands after handling raw shredded meat before changing tasks. Multiple boxes of raw chicken were seen stored next to bags of whole celery stocks. Raw beef packages were seen thawing on top of a case of whole potatoes.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 26 and got an A grade.
Carolina Buffet at 3122 Platt Springs Rd. in Lexington
Carolina Buffet had an inspection on Sept. 3 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed boxed and produce items stored on the floor.
A worker was seen using gloves for dish washing and then switch to scooping rice out of a container with hands. Encrusted food matter and debris was seen on pans stored as clean. Black and brown buildup was noted on the interior of the ice machine.
Cold slaw, rice and potato salad were not dated to indicate preparation of the products.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 10 and got an A grade.
Casa Oaxaca at 2410 Augusta Road in Lexington
Casa Oaxaca had an inspection on Sept. 15 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed a bug executor being used inside of the kitchen.
A worker was seen using a cloth towel to wipe hands after handling raw meats before handling ready to eat food. Multiple workers were seen not washing hands before changing tasks.
Workers were seen touching ready to eat food with ungloved hands. Open containers of raw cut meats were seen stored above an open container of prep meals inside the walk-in cooler. An open box of frozen raw shrimp was seen sitting directly on top of chill beverage glass cups.
Dishes with food debris were seen stored as clean.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 23 and got another C grade. A second followup inspection has not yet been held.
Flaming Grill Supreme Buffet at 115 Afton Ct. in Lexington
Flaming Grill Supreme Buffet had an inspection on Sept. 4 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed sauce and onions stored outside the protection of the sneeze guard on the buffet.
Soil matter was seen on whole mushrooms that were not washed before use. Both hand washing stations were seen blocked by speed racks and garbage containers. No soap was available at hand washing stations.
Raw beef was seen stored over produce and loosely covered salad mix.
Black slime was seen hanging from ice chute inside both ice machines.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Bleach was seen stored against flour bags. Broken and damaged containers were seen used for food storage.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 19 and got an A grade.
Chicanas Bar and Grill at 119 Sparkelberry Lane in Richland
Chicanas Bar and Grill had an inspection on Sept. 16 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed deep cuts and stains on cutting surfaces.
Food was seen stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler. An employee was seen changing tasks without washing hands. The kitchen and bar hand sinks were blocked.
Dirty dishes were seen stored as clean. Food buildup was seen in the microwave.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 26 and got another C grade. A second followup inspection has not yet been held.
China Dragon at 331 Killian Rd. in Richland
China Dragon had an inspection on Sept. 22 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed food stored on the floor of the walk-in freezer.
A worker was seen changing tasks without washing hands. A hand sink was seen used to drain rice water. A chicken box was seen used as a cutting board.
Chicken wings were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Cooked food was seen stored in grocery style bags. Grease buildup was seen on kitchen equipment.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Lizard’s Thicket at 10170 Two Notch Road in Richland
Lizard’s Thicket had an inspection on Sept. 3 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed a worker changing tasks without washing hands.
A worker was seen dumping coffee down a hand sink. Dishes with food and label residue were seen stacked as clean.
Food was seen stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 15 and got an A grade.
Suishaya Restaurant & Bar at 1516 Ellie Dr. in Richland
Suishaya Restaurant & Bar had an inspection on Sept. 19 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed dead bugs in the light fixtures throughout the kitchen.
Multiple boxes and containers of raw meats were seen stored all over the floor. A worker was seen with gloves handle raw meat bowl covered in raw meat juices, then wipe hands with towel and continue cooking and plating food.
A worker was seen garnishing plates with lettuce and carrots with bare hands. Multiple dented cans were seen on a shelf. Shelled eggs were seen stored over ready to eat produce. A bowl was seen used for raw shrimp, raw beef and raw chicken. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper cold holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 25 and got an A grade.
Top Dawg Tavern at 498-1 Town Center Place in Richland
Top Dawg Tavern had an inspection on Sept. 25 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies and drain gnats in the kitchen area.
Employees were seen changing tasks without washing hands. Dishes with food residue were seen stacked as clean. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper cold holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Sept. 29 and got an A grade.
This story was originally published October 2, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
