The following is a list of restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that were inspected Oct. 2-9, accompanied by their scores and, in some cases, the health infractions that lowered those scores. Scores below 70 are considered failing.
Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in its most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. A few more recent follow-up inspections may not be included here.
Perfect scores
Here are the restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with perfect scores in recent food service inspections.
Columbia County Senior Center, 5913 Euchee Creek Dr., Grovetown
Euchee Creek Elementary, 795 Louisville Road, Grovetown
Subway, 4351 Washington Road, Evans
R&R Concessions & Catering, 135 N. Louisville St., Harlem
Southern Sip & Co., 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans
Tlc Catering & Design, 3253 Peninsula Dr., Augusta
Starbucks, 228 Robert C. Daniel, Augusta
Off The Reco Road, 1002 Broad St., Augusta
Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 4324 Washington Road, Evans
Mama's #1 Cooking, 758 Old Indian Camp Road, Grovetown
Lip Smackin Oinkers, 537 Crest Ridge Dr., Waynesboro
Target Store – Starbucks, 235 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Pkwy., Augusta
Getting warmer
Here are the restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food service inspections, followed by their scores.
Brandon Wilde / Health Services Kitchen, 4275 Owens Road Evans, 99
Polipo, 3629 Walton Way Ext., Augusta, 99
Brandon Wilde ( Main Kitchen), 4275 Owens Road, Evans, 98
Chicken Salad Chick, 2817 Washington Road, Augusta, 97
Belair Middle School, 150 Potential Way, Augusta, 96
Belair Elementary, 3925 Harper Franklin Ave., Augusta, 96
C&G Concessions, 145 N. Louisville St., Harlem, 95
Smoke Show Southern Style BBQ, 6001 Washington Road Appling, 95
Pita Mediterranean Street Food, 630 Crane Creek Dr., Augusta, 95
Ziggi's Coffee, 252 Furys Ferry Road Augusta, 94
Jersey Mikes Subs, 2823 Washington Road, Augusta, 92
Barwest Martini Lounge, 3631 Walton Way Ext., Augusta, 91
McDonalds, 4478 Columbia Road, Martinez, 91
Sweet Tooth, 135 N Louisville St., Harlem, 91
Mama's Maryland Crab Cakes, 215 Partnership Dr., Grovetown, 91
7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee, 105 Charlestowne Way, Augusta, 90
Not quite there
Here are the restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food service inspection scores, along with the inspectors' comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing. The comments are edited for length and content.
Top Dawg Tavern, 2821 Washington Road, Augusta, 89
- Observed uncovered employee drinks on prep table. Observed employee purse on prep table as well. Cover employee drinks with a lid and straw. Store employee belongings in a designated area.
- Observed chicken, cheese, beef, and pickles stored uncovered in reach in cooler and walk in cooler. Corrected on site. Cover all food in storage.
- Observed black build up inside bulk ice machine. Clean food contact surfaces regularly.
- Observed no hand washing sign in women's restroom. Place "Employees must wash hands before returning to work" sign in restrooms.
- Observed scoop stored in vinaigrette in WIC. Store scoops outside of food product itself.
- Observed wet nesting of stacked containers. Allow dishes to properly air dry prior to stacking.
- Observed cracked floor tile holding water on grill line. Observed buildup behind equipment on grill line. Observed excess dust accumulation on ceiling above prep top cooler. Fix floor tile, clean equipment as well as dust on ceiling.
Freddy's Frozen Custard, 109 Charlestown Way, Augusta, 88
- Observed no Certified Food Protection Manager certification. Obtain certification within 60 days.
- Observed black build up inside the ice shoots in the lobby. Clean. Increase cleaning frequency to limit build up.
- Observed the scoop handle improperly stored in the container of tots in the reach-in-freezer. When storing scoops with food, ensure the handle is above the food and the container.
- Observed wet nesting of clean dishes. Allow dishes to properly air dry before stacking.
- Observed the dumpster door left open. Ensure the dumpster doors and lids remain closed when not in use.
- Observed several mops stored on the floor and inside the mop sink in the back storage area. Observed the mop sink not properly draining. Hang mops to air dry in between uses. Assess mop sink for proper drainage.
Lokos Tacos, 2825 Washington Road, Augusta, 88
- Observed no designated PIC upon inquiry when beginning inspection. A designated PIC should be clear and present at any given time.
- Observed excessive black build up along top and inner corners of bulk ice machine. Clean food contact surfaces regularly.
- Observed liquids stored in containers at bar RIC without any labels. Label all food made in house/ stored outside its original packaging with common name labels.
- Observed scoops stored in seasoning container in back prep area. Store scoops outside of food product itself.
The Loft, 927 Broad St., Augusta, 87
- Observed no evidence of signed Employee Health Reporting Agreements. Have each employee read, sign, and understand the reporting agreements. Have them on file at all times.
- Observed no paper towels stored at handwashing sinks in bar area. Have paper towels stocked at all times.
- Observed strainers stored inside handwashing sinks in the bar area. Do not store equipment in handwashing sinks. Use handwashing sinks for handwashing only.
- Observed ice bins filled with ice stored uncovered in the bar area. Cover all food.
- Observed heavy black build-up inside bulk ice machine. Clean. Increase cleaning frequency to twice a week.
- Observed dead gnat sitting on ice in ice bin in bar area. Dispose ice. Clean, rinse, and sanitize ice bin. Cover food to prevent contamination.
Pinnacle Club, 699 Broad St., Augusta, 86
- Observed an open coffee cup stored on a prep table. Drinks must have a lid and straw and stored way from food prep areas.
- Observed milk held past use-by date of 9/29 in walk-in-cooler. Discard. Monitor use-by dates and discard when appropriate.
- Observed employee actively preparing food with a watch. Only a plain ring band can be worn during active food prep.
- Observed wet nesting of clean, stacked dishes in kitchen. Allow dishes to properly air dry prior to stacking.
Wendy's, 430 South Belair Road, Martinez, 85
- Observed 4 employees missing employee health agreements. Have all employees sign health agreements.
- Observed food build-up on clean dishes. Ensure dishes are clean before being placed with clean dishes.
- Observed two employees wearing watches while preparing food. Only a single plain banded ring may be worn during food prep.
- Observed no inspection, CFSM, permit posted in dining room. Ensure most recent inspection posted in dining room and drive-thru, CFMS and permit posted in dining room.
- Observed broken and missing floor tiles. Observed mold like substance on ceiling tiles. Ensure broken tiles are repaired/replaced.
Hawaiian Style BBQ, 2801 Washington Road, Augusta, 80
- Observed multiple employee drinks stored in kitchen without coverings. Cover all employee drinks with a lid and straw.
- Observed handwashing sink by back door with large bowl inside and food debris in sink. Observed no paper towels available at that same sink. Use sinks only for their intended purpose, do not dump in hand wash sink. Have sink stocked with soap and paper towels at all times.
- Observed bulk ice machine with excessive amounts of build up. Clean ice machine ASAP. Clean food contact surfaces regularly.
- Observed shredded cabbage and mac & cheese on PTC cold-holding above 41F. Observed walk-in-cooler ambient as well as pork and chicken in WIC cold holding above 41F. Cold hold food at 41F.
- Observed several soiled wiping cloths left in hand washing sink located at front entrance of kitchen. Store wiping cloths in sanitizer buckets when not in use.
Wife Saver, 3318 Washington Road, Martinez, 80
- Observed food items stored uncovered inside the reach-in-freezer in the front food service area. Store all food items covered at all times.
- Observed chicken at 50F and chicken at 48F cold-held above 41F. Maintain cold-held TCS/PHS's at 41F or below.
- Observed an employee not wearing a hair restraint during active food prep. Employees must wear a hair restraint (beard restraints when applicable) during active food prep/cooking.
- Observed no food service permit for the facility. Obtain and post permit.
Popeyes, 422 Lewiston Road, Grovetown, 80
- Observed two employees missing employee health agreements, and the other health agreement signed in the wrong location. Correct all the employee health agreement, and ensure employees know what they are signing.
- Observed two handwashing sinks without paper towels. Restock paper towels at both handwashing sinks.
- Observed Icemaker with build-up on the inside. Clean icemaker. Observed the clean dishes rack with dirty dishes that still had food build up on them. Dishes must be thoroughly cleaned.
- Observed employees prepping/handling food with no hair restraint. Ensure all food handling employees have properly restrained hair.
- Observed incorrect inspection report posted in dining room. Ensure most recent inspection is posted in dining room.
- Observed build-up on walls and on the inside portion of reach-in-cooler. Clean the walls and inside portions of the RIC.
- Observed significant standing water in 3-comp sink area and food prep area. Ensure leak is addressed and water is mopped up.
- Observed flying insect throughout the main kitchen. Consider installing a air-door on the back door.
Curry Hut, 2810 Washington Road, Augusta, 78
- Observed no designated PIC. Designate a PIC for the establishment and have at least one present at all times.
- Observed corn and heavy whipping cream stored uncovered in reach-in-cooler. Repeat violation. Cover all food in storage.
- Observed Raid bug spray stored in dishwashing area. Repeat violation. Residential use pesticide is not allowed in food service establishments. If pest issue is present, contact a pest control operator.
- Observed food stored on floor in back dry storage area. Repeat violation. Store food at least 6-inches off the ground..
- Observed scoops stored in seasonings in back storage area. Repeat violation. Store scoops outside of food product itself.
Jennifer Miller covers food and business for The Augusta Chronicle. She can be reached at jmiller@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta-area restaurants with best and worst health inspection scores
