Roach infestations, dirty ice machines and a lack of date marking were some of the violations recorded by health inspectors at restaurants in Shelby and DeSoto counties in August.
The Tennessee Department of Health conducted hundreds of routine health inspections of food-service establishments, hotels, tattoo parlors and more in Shelby County in August. The vast majority of restaurants inspected scored 90 and above.
Seven 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.
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In DeSoto County, the Mississippi Department of Health gives establishments a letter grade, with C indicating violations that could not immediately be corrected. Two DeSoto County restaurants received a C in August.
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.
2 Star Jr
2531 Chelesa Ave.
Score = 64
Date of inspection: Aug. 31
Examples of violations: Observed food debris and rust build up on the can opener, black build up inside of the ice machine, raw chicken juice pooling at the bottom of the frozen treats cooler
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = No follow-up yet
Habee's Wing & Deli
3670 Summer Ave.
Score = 74
Date of inspection: Aug. 13
Examples of violations: Observed brown build up inside of the ice machine, employees did not know the proper set up for manually washing and sanitizing dishes, raw chicken wings in the three compartment sink reading 62 degrees (should be 41 degrees)
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 93
Date of follow-up: Aug. 20
Rama Pizza
6698 Poplar Ave.
Score = 64
Date of inspection: Aug. 12
Examples of violations: Excessive flies located throughout building, washing dishes when out of bleach, no date marking observed for multiple food items inside walk-in cooler that were prepared 24 hours prior
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 88
Date of follow-up: Aug. 24
Taco Loco
3970 Jackson Ave.
Score = 71
Date of inspection: Aug. 12
Examples of violations: Raw beef stored on top of shredded cheese, grease build up around stove, no date marking system for items cooked or prepared that are being held over 24 hours
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 90
Date of follow-up: Aug. 20
Thai Cottage Restaurant
4085 Summer Ave.
Score = 63
Date of inspection:
Examples of violations: Rotten lettuce in stainless steel reach in kitchen, live roaches crawling on kitchen floor and on the dishwasher, person in charge not knowledgeable
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 88
Date of follow-up: Aug. 20
Vietnam Restaurant
74 N Cleveland St.
Score = 70
Date of inspection: Aug. 7
Examples of violations: Live roach crawling on the wall and cutting board on the prep station in the lobby area, excessive grease buildup on equipment, product and shelving, dirty women's restroom
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 90
Date of follow-up: Aug. 17
New China
2857 Kirby Pkwy
Score = 49
Date of inspection: Aug. 6
Examples of violations: Observed alive and dead roaches inside open bag of sesame seeds, multiple cases of cross-contamination observed in walk-in cooler, no date marking observed
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = 90
Date of follow-up: Aug. 13
Brick Oven Pizza
2428 E Parkway
Score = C
Date of inspection: Aug. 6
Examples of violations: Manager present, food separated and protected, plumbing installed proper backflow devices, sewage waste water properly disposed, and food contact surface cleaned were observed as not in compliance.
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = B
Date of follow-up: Aug. 16
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill Southaven
6283 Getwell Road
Score = C
Date of inspection: Aug. 12
Examples of violations: Food separated and protected, and proper cold holding temperatures observed as not in compliance.
See the full inspection report.
Follow-up score = B
Date of follow-up: Aug. 17
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 Aug. restaurant inspections find rotten food, excessive flies
