The following is a list of restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that were inspected Sept. 18-25, 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.
Hunan Café, 403 Furys Ferry Road, Martinez
JH Moore BBQ & Catering, 312 Wiltshire Court, Evans
Cecile Harwood Catering, 2621 Washington Road, Augusta
St. Mary's on The Hill School, 1220 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta
Eat @ Betty's River Cuisine, 25 Dolphin Way, Evans
Caribou Coffee, 236 Bobby Jones Expressway, Martinez
Taquizas La Pena Bernal, 4050 Jimmie Dyess Pkwy., Augusta
Samoan BBQ, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans
Loaded Sodas Liquid Courage, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans
Ikonz Sports Bar & Grill, 1515 North Leg Road, Augusta
Brusters Ice Cream, 1115 Agerton Lane, 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.
Subway, 1569 Walton Way, Augusta, 99
Happy China Restaurant, 4115 Columbia Road, Martinez, 98
Pizza Joint, 4301 Washington Road, Evans, 98
Deer Chase Elementary School, 1780 Deer Chase Lane, Hephzibah, 97
Great Chow Buffet & Grill, 3435 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta, 96
Warren Road Elementary School, 311 Warren Road, Augusta, 96
Jersey Mike's, 4103 Madeline Drive, Augusta, 94
Waffle House, 4291 Washington Road, Evans, 95
Barnes & Noble Café, 3450 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta, 95
Mama's Maryland Crab Cakes, 215 Partnership Drive, Grovetown, 94
Smoke Show Southern BBQ Mobile, 6100 Washington Road, Appling, 92
Metro Coffee House, 1054 Broad St., Augusta, 92
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.
Janwiches, 1403 Columbia Nitrogen Drive, Augusta, 86
- Observed chicken salad, egg salad, and turkey in the prep-top cooler, and the ambient temperature of one reach-in cooler was held above 41 degrees. Maintain temperatures at 41 degrees and below in all coolers. Put food on ice at all times.
- Observed employees actively preparing food without a hair net. Wear hair nets.
- Observed heavy debris on racks holding cooking pots and food debris on cooking equipment. Clean.
Vallarta Mexican Restaurant, 2808 Washington Road, Augusta, 85
- Observed employee drinking from an open-face cup in food prep area. Employee drinks should be covered with a lid and straw.
- Observed cheese, raw shrimp, and lettuce stored uncovered in RIC (reach-in cooler) on main grill line. Cover all food in storage.
- Observed two bulk ice machines with excessive buildup along the top inside as well as the corners of the machine. Clean food contact surfaces regularly.
- Observed jalapenos in walk-in cooler, tortillas on main line, and other food items throughout prep areas stored in unlabeled containers. Label food stored outside its original packaging/container with common name labels.
- Observed several food items stored on the floor in dry storage, including an open sauce container. Store food at least 6 inches off the ground.
- Observed cook on grill line wearing a watch during food prep. Refrain from jewelry on the hands/wrists outside of a plain band ring during food prep.
- Observed scoops stored in sugar container. Observed scoop in ice at bar area. Store scoops outside of food product itself.
- Observed wet nesting of stacked dishes. Allow dishes to properly air dry prior to stacking.
El Veracruz, 1077 Stevens Creek Road, Augusta, 80
- Observed no employee health reporting agreements for staff working in the facility. Ensure all staff sign an agreement. Have agreements available for inspections.
- Observed pipes disconnected at the handwashing sink in the main kitchen, and not able to be used. Have handwashing sink repaired by close of business on Sept. 25.
- Observed no written procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Develop written procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events.
- Observed tomatoes (46 degrees), cheese (46 degrees/48 degrees), and chicken (46 degrees) cold-held above 41 degrees inside the walk-in cooler. Maintain all cold-held TCS/PHF's at 41 degrees or below at all times.
- Observed rice, beans, and sugar not properly labeled, stored outside the original container. Label all food items stored outside the original containers.
- Observed the scoops improperly stored with the handle in the food inside the ice bin at the bar and inside the beef and chicken in the reach-in cooler in the main kitchen. 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 no test strips for the sanitizer being used. Obtain the proper test strips for the sanitizer being used.
- Observed water pooling in the bottom of the reach-in cooler at the bar. Clean up water and check for leaks.
- Observed the dumpster doors and lids left open. Ensure all dumpster doors and lids remain closed when not in use.
- Observed buildup on the floors, walls, and ceilings inside the main kitchen. Clean all floors, walls, and ceilings. Increase cleaning frequency to limit buildup.
- Observed inadequate lighting/no lighting in the walk-in freezer. Repair. Ensure WIF has adequate lighting at all times.
209 Restaurant-Cafe & Catering, 566 Broad St., Augusta, 72
- Observed open beverage containers and snacks stored throughout the kitchen. Use proper eating and drinking practices. Drinks must have a lid and straw. Do not eat and drink in food prep areas.
- Observed all food at the steam table stored without a cover. Cover all food to protect from contamination.
- Observed food debris on clean plates. Ensure food contact surfaces are properly washed, rinsed, sanitized, and air-dried.
- Observed butter, cabbage, sliced tomatoes, chicken liver, and chicken stored above 41 degrees in reach-in coolers and on the countertop. Butter was thrown away. Maintain food at 41 degrees and below in all coolers.
- Observed chicken and collard greens being held below 135 degrees in the warming cabinet. Maintain food at 135 degrees and above when hot holding.
- Observed spoiled onions in reach-in cooler. Discard. Monitor food condition.
- Observed most inspection report not posted. Post.
- Observed wet nesting of clean, stacked dishes. Allow dishes to properly air-dry prior to stacking.
- Observed no evidence of sanitizer test strips. Obtain quaternary sanitizer test strips.
- Observed heavy food debris and build-up along sides of cooking equipment and under equipment. Clean.
- Observed several broken/missing floor tiles with standing water throughout main kitchen. Clean. Increase cleaning frequency. Repair floor tiles.
Curry Hut, 2810 Washington Road, Augusta, 58
- Observed employee leave kitchen, return to kitchen, and start food preparation without washing hands. Wash hands when returning to the kitchen and before conducting food preparation.
- Observed the same employee as the previous violation stirring sauce, removing the spoon from sauce, wiping finger across spoon, tasting sauce, and proceeding to stir sauce. Sauce should be discarded immediately. Do not touch food contact surfaces or food with unclean hands.
- Observed peas, tomato paste, cauliflower, diced onions, and an array of sauces stored uncovered in RIC. Cover all food in storage.
- Observed chicken, green peas, lamb, diced tomatoes, and diced potatoes cold holding above 41 degrees in walk-in cooler and on PTC. Repeat violation. Cold-hold food at 41 degrees or lower.
- Observed multiple cans of Raid bug spray stored on shelf near order window. Residential-use pesticide is not allowed in food service establishments. If a pest issue is present, contact a pest control operator.
- Observed employee backpack stored directly next to open heating element. Store employee belongings away from food and food prep areas.
- Observed tomato sauce stored on the floor uncovered near the back door. Do not store food uncovered, directly on the floor. Store food 6 inches or higher off the ground.
- Observed employees cooking and prepping while wearing watches and bracelets. Refrain from wearing jewelry on the hands/wrists during active food prep.
- Observed last inspection not posted. Post most recent inspection in public view of patrons.
- Observed scoops in sugar, cooked rice, and other spice containers. Store scoops outside of food product itself.
- Observed flies throughout kitchen and back door open. Repeat violation. Determine method to deter flies from kitchen. Invest in a better screen for the back door entrance; it may help.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Cook wipes spoon with finger and then keeps stirring | Health Scores
