Rodent droppings, expired food & black growth. Worst SC Midlands April restaurant inspections

There are plenty of amazing restaurants and dining establishments throughout the Midlands that will satisfy any craving.

But not every place has the health ratings you’d expect and want for the price you’re paying.

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture completed its April restaurant health inspections and took note of the restaurants that received the worst scores. Between disgusting kitchens, black organic growth and dead insects, inspectors found dozens of SC restaurants that posed a health risk to paying customers.

The following Midland restaurants had health inspection grades of C, which is the lowest achievable grade:

Worst Midlands April inspections

Dave’s Grill & Grocery in Aiken

Dave’s Grill & Grocery had a restaurant inspection on April 23 and received a score of 75.

Health inspectors noticed a black organic growth on the side of an open container of pickles. Additionally, a meat slicer that was supposedly clean had old food still on it.

There were no date markings for some foods, and raw bacon was handled with no gloves or protection. An excessive amount of rodent droppings was found throughout the kitchen and storage room. There was also intense grease buildup on doors, stove tops and kitchen hoods.

DK Foods LLC in Lexington

DK Foods LLC had a restaurant inspection on April 14 and received a score of 73.

During the inspection, dishes were not properly sanitized, and some foods were not held at their necessary temperatures. Some foods didn’t have discard dates, and several items in their walk-in cooler were expired. Packages of raw meat were sitting in standing water in their sink.

Flies were flying around the kitchen, and food was stored directly on the floor in their cooler and freezer.

DK Foods LLC had two follow-up inspections and received As for both.

Hyderabad House Columbia in Lexington

Hyderabad House Columbia had a restaurant inspection on April 7 and received a score of 70.

Inspectors saw an employee hose down a food product in their mop sink. Raw chicken was stored above ready-to-eat foods in their cooler. Some foods weren’t being stored at their necessary temperatures. Several food items had no date markings or labels.

Utensils were stored in areas where they could be easily contaminated, and multiple cutting surfaces were soiled with unwashable stains and black organic growth.

Hyderabad House Columbia had two follow-up inspections. The first one resulted in another C score, and the other resulted in an A score.

Takosushi in Richland

Takosushi had a restaurant inspection on April 23 and received a score of 78.

A health inspector noticed that a smoked salmon had green and black organic material growing on it. Workers were caught touching food with gloves they used to touch raw foods. Clean dishes were seen with food debris, and multiple sauces and food product were expired past their date markings. Flies were also seen surrounding the dish pit.

Takosushi had two follow-up inspections. The first one resulted in a B score, and the second resulted in an A score.

JJ Curry & Biryani in Richland

JJ Curry & Biryani had a restaurant inspection on April 16 and received a score of 70.

Workers were caught touching personal items without washing their hands or changing gloves before handling food. Clean dishes were stored with food debris and grease still on them. Foods were held past their discard date, and multiple food items weren’t stored at their necessary temperatures.

A bug trapping device was seen above the food preparation area, and the back door was propped open, allowing easy access for rodents to enter the kitchen.

El Guerrero in Saluda

El Guerrero had a restaurant inspection on April 22 and received a score of 70.

Employees were seen not washing their hands after changing tasks. Several foods, such as tamales and chicken wings, were stored past their expiration date. Many food items were not held at their necessary temperatures. The back door had openings for flies and smaller insects to enter the kitchen. Raw foods were stored next to ready-to-eat foods.

El Guerrero had two follow-up inspections. The first resulted in a C score, and the second resulted in an A score.