Mildew in ice machines and poor raw food storage were some of the violations recorded by health inspectors at restaurants in Shelby and DeSoto counties in September.
The Tennessee Department of Health conducted hundreds of routine health inspections of food-service establishments, hotels, tattoo parlors and more in Shelby County in September. The vast majority of restaurants inspected scored 90 and above.
Eight Shelby County restaurants received a score of 74 or lower.
A score below 70 requires a follow-up inspection, according to state compliance standards. Food establishment inspection scores provide a general indication of compliance, including sanitation conditions and health risk findings.
In DeSoto County, the Mississippi Department of Health
gives establishments a letter grade, with C indicating violations that could not immediately be corrected. One DeSoto County restaurant received a C in September.
Restaurants get a chance to correct issues for an update on its rating — all listed follow-ups were completed within two weeks and saw score improvements.
Full inspection reports for Shelby County restaurants can be found on the website of the Tennessee Department of Health. For DeSoto County restaurants, visit the Mississippi State Department of Health's website.
American Deli
3243 Jackson Ave.
Score = 66
Date of inspection: Sept. 3
Examples of violations: Black build up on the ice machine, no date marking system in place for foods being held over 24 hours
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 91
Date of follow-up: Sept. 10
Yum's Restaurant
2451 Jackson Ave
Score = 72
Date of inspection: Sept. 3
Examples of violations: Black and pink build up in the ice machine, raw chicken wings in the 3 compartment sink reading 66 degrees
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 91
Date of follow-up: Sept. 10
The Half Shell
688 S Mendenhall Rd
Score = 65
Date of inspection: Sept. 9
Examples of violations: Multiple food items on service line observed in temperature danger zone, multiple air vents are stained with rust and dust accumulation
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 90
Date of follow-up: Sept. 18
Dos Culturas
1452 National St.
Score = 68
Date of inspection: Sept. 9
Examples of violations: Raw chicken stored above and next to cooked foods, multiple cooked and prepared foods being held over 24 hours with no date marking
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 89
Date of follow-up: Sept. 18
Las Delicias
4002 Park Ave.
Score = 70
Date of inspection: Sept. 24
Examples of violations: Heavy cross contamination observed in walk in cooler, microwave observed dirty, cutting board attached to prep cooler is stained with deep grooves
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 94
Date of follow-up: Oct. 2
Margaritas Poplar Ave.
875 W Poplar Ave
Score = 67
Date of inspection: Sept. 21
Examples of violations: Brown build up inside of the ice machine, various foods stored at improper temperatures, dishwasher to not be dispensing sanitizer
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 91
Date of follow-up: Oct. 1
Margaritas Restaurant Austin Peay
3850 Austin Peay Hwy
Score = 67
Date of inspection: Sept. 14
Examples of violations: Several food containers had no labels, various food items in the freezer and walk in cooler are not covered
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = None yet
La Ceiba
add
Score = 72
Date of inspection: Sept. 28
Examples of violations: Eight containers of fish being thawed on the counter, dishes not being properly sanitized
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 91
Date of follow-up: Oct. 8
KFC Goodman Road
1005 Goodman Road
Score = C
Date of inspection: Sept. 3
Examples of violations: Food separated and protected, contact surface cleaned and sanitized observed as not in compliance
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = B
Date of follow-up: Sept. 9
Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal covering Dining, Retail and Real Estate in the Memphis area. You can reach him at jacob.wilt@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Sept. inspections find ice machine mildew, poor raw food storage
