Flies in kitchen. Rat poison over utensils. Upstate restaurants with worst November inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Upstate in November, from a kitchen full of flies, clean dishes splattered with raw chicken juice and rat poison kept right above utensils. The state each month releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments across Upstate counties.
Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in November.
Sakura Hibachi at 220 E. Greer St. in Anderson
Sakura Hibachi had a restaurant inspection on Nov. 6 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed a dead roach on the dish rack. Also observed were equipment and shelving covered in food debris and grime.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Multiple bowls and utensils were seen with grime and food debris. Raw chicken boxes were seen used as food storage.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Nov. 30 and got a B grade.
Kaori Express at 124 Church St. in Anderson
Kaori Express had an inspection on Nov. 2 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed steak not being fully cooked and then held at room temperature near the cook line. Also, broccoli and shrimp sauce made the previous day were being cooled at proper temperatures.
There was no proper food thermometer found at the restaurant.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Nov. 15 and got an A grade.
China Garden at 481 Bypass 72 NW in Greenwood
China Garden had an inspection on Nov. 16 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed multiple containers of chicken and a large tub of chicken breading on a rack with clean dishes. Clean dishes were splashed with raw chicken juice.
Meat and crawfish were seen being thawed at room temperature. Food was seen stored on the floor in multiple places in the restaurant. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Nov. 29 and got an A grade.
Bronco Mexican Restaurant at 40 South Main St. in Spartanburg
Bronco Mexican Restaurant had an inspection on Nov. 14 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed rat poison stored on top of kitchen utensils. Also observed was food items stored on the floor.
Mop water was seen being disposed of on the ground beside the restaurant. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Employees were seen eating while at the cook line.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Nov. 29 and got an A grade.
NY Hibachi and Sushi Buffet at 151 Dorman Center Drive in Spartanburg
NY Hibachi had an inspection on Nov. 16 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies flying throughout the kitchen area. Also observed were fly strips full of flies hanging throughout the kitchen area.
Several large baking sheets were seen stacked wet on the rack in the dish machine area. Trash and debris were seen on the ground in the refuse area.
Buffet times listed on buffet items were not the actual times the foods were placed. An employee was seen cutting fresh fruit with bare hands.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Nov. 30 and got an A grade.
