Improper food temps a factor: Four Macon restaurants fail routine health inspections
Temperatures that were too hot or too cold for food safety contributed to four Macon restaurants failing their routine health inspections in March.
The restaurants receiving a “U” for unsatisfactory compliance and their scores include:
Fried Green Tomatoes, 103 Riverside Parkway, score of 69
IHOP, 165 Tom Hill Sr. Blvd., score of 65
The Mandarin Chinese Bistro, 3086 Riverside Drive, score of 64
Wild Wing Cafe, 5080 Riverside Drive, Suite 100, score of 68
Fried Green Tomatoes and IHOP bounced back with “A’s” on their required followup inspections, and The Mandarin Chinese Bistro earned a “B” on its followup inspection. A followup inspection report for Wild Wing Cafe was not included in what was reported in the state health department’s online portal early Wednesday.
A followup inspection is required after a restaurant receives a failing grade and generally happens within 10 days of the routine inspection.
Failing grades
During the March 10 routine inspection of Fried Green Tomatoes, an Environmental Health Services inspector observed raw fish fillets stored underneath raw chicken with the potential for cross contamination, according to the health inspection report.
The health inspector also saw raw chicken stored in tubs uncovered when the food should have been covered to protect from potential overhead contamination.
The inspector also found butter above the required temperature for food safety, while sweet potatoes in a warming cabinet kitchen were below the required temperature, according to the report.
Additionally the inspector found that prepared raw chicken and other foods were not being cooled correctly, according to the report.
Other violations ranged from improper storage of utensils to the restaurant not posting its most recent health inspection report in public view.
The restaurant bounced back at its followup inspection March 20 with a 99 with an “A” for “food safety excellence.”
Prior inspection reports included in the online portal for the restaurant showed a score of 88 for a “B” for “satisfactory compliance” at its June 27, 2022, routine inspection and a 96 for an “A” at its June 24, 2021, routine inspection.
During the March 8 routine inspection of IHOP, an EHS inspector observed butter not stored at the proper temperature in a cooler and in an ice bath, according to the inspection report.
The health inspector also found sliced cheese stored in a prep table above the required food temperature for food safety, while link sausage in a pan being hot held on a flat top was below the required temperature, according to the report
The inspector also noted in the report that he did not observe anyone washing their hands during the entire inspection and that he saw an employee washing dishes go from handling dirty dishes to handling clean dishes without washing her hands in between.
The inspector also found that a hand wash sink in the front server area was wrapped in a plastic bag and not operable, and another handwashing sink in the back kitchen by the dishwashing area had no hot water.
A third hand washing area in the kitchen near the prep area had a rag, paper towel, scissors and steel wool in the sink. The state requires that handwashing sinks be used only for handwashing, according to the report.
Other violations included improper storage of tableware and plastic cups, according to the report.
The restaurant came back with a score of 98 for an “A” at its March 17 required followup inspection.
At its prior inspections included in the online portal, the restaurant earned a score of 96 for an “A” at its routine inspection May 20, 2022, and an 89 for a “B” at its required April 28, 2021, followup inspection after failing its April 22, 2021, inspection with a score of 62 for a “U.”
During the March 21 routine inspection of The Mandarin Chinese Bistro, an EHS inspector observed raw chicken and raw shrimp in a cook prep line above the required temperature for food safety, according to the inspection report.
The health inspector also observed multiple meat containers of raw beef, raw chicken and raw shrimp without date marking as required to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold or discarded, according to the report.
Also bamboo shoots were found stored uncovered, while a dough machine near the rear of the restaurant had not been cleaned after use and had flour and dried noodles on it, according to the report.
The inspector also observed to-go containers in boxes stored on the floor of the dry goods area.
“Single service/use items shall be stored in a clean dry location, not exposed to contamination, and at least 6 inches off floor,” the report reads.
Other violations ranged from grease accumulation on both hood ventilation systems in the kitchen to noncommercial equipment of rice cookers, a microwave, toaster oven and coffee maker in the bar area.
On its required followup inspection March 29, the restaurant scored an 80 for a “B.”
The restaurant previously scored an 81 at another followup inspection Feb. 16, 2022, after scoring 76 and earning a “C” for “marginal compliance” at its Feb. 11, 2022, routine inspection, according to its prior inspections included in the online portal.
During the March 29 routine inspection of Wild Wing Cafe, an EHS inspector observed food items in two make tables above the temperature required for food safety, according to the inspection report. The report did not name the foods.
The health inspector also observed jalapeno ranch with a prep date of March 19 which should have been discarded March 26, according to the report.
The inspector also saw male employees working who had beards longer than a half an inch without proper hair restraints such as beard guards, according to the report.
The inspector also noted that all wine glasses and cups at the bar had water stains. All cups and glasses need to be washed and ensure that cups are being air dried properly, according to the report.
Other violations ranged from no paper towels at the hand sink near the meat prep sink to ice buildup on pipes/ceiling and under the condenser in the walk-in freezer.
At two prior routine inspections, the restaurant earned “A’s” with a 93 on May 17, 2022, and a 95 on April 20, 2021, according to what was reported in the online portal.
Other restaurant scores
Meanwhile, most other restaurants in Macon-Bibb County earned “A’s” on their routine inspections from March 1 to March 31, including more than a dozen that aced them with perfect scores of 100.
Sixteen other Bibb restaurants received “B’s,” while six restaurants earned “C’s.”
Here are the restaurants and bars that earned perfect scores on their routine inspections:
Barefoot Tavern, 478 Second St.
Bulldogs Bar & Grill, 3748 Bloomfield Village Drive
Burger King, 1188 Gray Highway
Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine, 3924 Pio Nono Ave.
Daiquiris & More, 408 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Fajitas Mexican Grill, 6012 Zebulon Road
Hailey’s Lounge, 2308 Ingleside Drive
J & J Fish & Chicken, 66 Spring St.
Mellow Mushroom, 5425 Bowman Road
Philosophie, 616 Poplar St.
Subway, 6020 Harrison Road
Taco Bell, 1604 Bass Road
The Crazy Bull, 473 Second St.
Wendy’s, 3630 Riverside Drive
Wing Topia, 5966 Zebulon Road
How it works
State EHS inspectors assign grades based on how many points are deducted from 100, with scores at 69 and below considered failing.
An “A” is given for a score between 90 to 100 and denotes “food safety excellence.” A score of 80 to 89 is considered “satisfactory compliance” for a grade of “B,” while a “C” is given for “marginal compliance” based on a score of 70-79. A “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” is given when a restaurant scores 69 or less.
Restaurant inspections are designed to protect public health. The Telegraph reviews inspection reports monthly and generally reports only the best and the worst scores.
