Roaches, rodent droppings, pills in kitchen. Worst SC Midlands restaurant inspections in May

The Midlands have amazing and delicious restaurants that can satisfy any customer, but it might shock you to know what’s going on in some of their kitchens.

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture completed its May restaurant health inspections and noted the restaurants that received the lowest scores.

Between rodent droppings, roaches throughout kitchen floors and expired food, 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:

La Escondida at 168 Rainbow Falls Rd in Aiken

La Escondida in Aiken had a restaurant inspection on May 12 and received a score of 70.

Inspectors noticed that dishes weren’t being properly sanitized when they were being cleaned. Additionally, several cold and hot foods weren’t being stored at their correct temperatures. Chemicals were being stored next to meat seasonings, and the inspector saw multiple cans of raid spray that are only supposed to be used in households.

Their prep cooler wasn’t maintaining temperatures below 41 degrees, potentially causing bacteria to increase in number. The ceiling in their meat market was in poor repair, and multiple floors were unclean.

Country Cafe at 245 Main St in Barnwell

Country Cafe in Barnwell had a restaurant inspection on May 20 and received a score of 75.

Employees were caught not washing their hands before changing gloves, and someone was preparing a salad with their bare hands. Multiple foods were stored past their discard date, and some cold foods weren’t being stored at their necessary temperatures.

Household pesticides were stored over the sink. Grease and grime were starting to accumulate on the walls and shelf underneath kitchen equipment.

Wendy’s at 610 Columbia Ave in Lexington

Wendy’s in Lexington had a restaurant inspection on May 1 and received a score of 97, but still received a C grade.

While there weren’t a lot of issues for the inspector to note during this inspection, the presence of roaches behind the dish machine and 3-compartment sink was a consecutive violation, meaning the Wendy’s automatically got a C grade.

Additionally, the inspector observed holes along the walls near the drive-thru window and behind the 3-compartment sink.

They had a follow-up inspection on May 6 and received an A grade.

Fusion at 1266 Wilson Rd in Newberry

Fusion in Newberry had a restaurant inspection on May 21 and received a score of 71.

The inspector saw multiple employees not washing their hands before putting on gloves. Raw beef and chicken were stored close to ready-to-eat foods. Raw fish was stored next to strawberries. Clean knives had grime on them, and pans still had leftover food on them. Dish racks also had a heavy accumulation of black build-up.

Their ice machine had slimy accumulation in the front compartment. Multiple cold and hot foods weren’t being stored at their proper holding temperatures. Chicken and multiple sauces were stored past their discard date.

Contained pills were being stored next to ingredients on a side shelf in the kitchen.

Big T’s Bar-B-Q at 7535 Garners Ferry Rd STE C in Richland

Big T’s Bar-B-Que in Richland had a restaurant inspection on May 8 and received a score of 88, but still received a C grade.

There wasn’t a lot to note down during this inspection, but the inspector saw rodent droppings on floors throughout the kitchen and under the refrigerators and freezer. This was a consecutive violation. There was also a gap underneath the back door, which was also a consecutive violation.

Grease and food debris stained kitchen equipment, such as the fryers and the hood above the cook line. There was also grease and food debris on the floors beneath the kitchen equipment.

Big T’s Bar-B-Q had a follow-up inspection on May 13 and received an A grade.