Mouse droppings, moldy limes & more in Charleston area restaurants with worst January inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Charleston area in January, from rodent droppings to moldy limes equipment covered in grease. The state each month releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments in the Charleston area.
Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in January.
3 Matadors at 2447 Ashley River Road in Charleston
3 Matadors had an inspection on Jan. 22 and got a B grade.
An inspector observed rodent droppings in the water heater room, back storeroom and food dry storage area. Also observed were surfaces throughout the kitchen with food debris buildup.
Floors in the facility were seen with food debris and grease buildup. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Food storage pans and cookware were seen with food splash, grease and biofilm buildup.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Feb. 1 and got an A grade.
Cantina 76 at 819 Coleman Blvd. in Mount Pleasant
Cantina 76 had an inspection on Jan. 24 and got a B grade.
An inspector observed moldy limes and cooked meats, chili sauce and refried beans held after their expiration dates.
Butter and meat were seen stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler. Shelving in the walk-in cooler and cook line equipment were seen with an accumulation of grease.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Feb. 2 and got an A grade.
China Buffet at 7800 Rivers Ave. in North Charleston
China Buffet had an inspection on Jan. 26 and got a B grade.
An inspector observed an employee not wearing gloves while preparing ready-to-eat foods.
The handwashing sink in the food prep area was seen blocked. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Food in the freezer was seen stored directly on the floor.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Coconut Joe’s at 1120 Ocean Blvd. in Isle of Palms
Coconut Joe’s had an inspection on Jan. 3 and got a B grade.
An inspector observed rodent droppings on the floor along baseboards in the hall adjacent to the dish room.
The dish machine was seen not reaching proper temperature. The floor under the cook line was seen with an accumulation of grease. There were missing baseboards throughout the facility.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Jan. 18 and got an A grade.
Fuji Sushi Upper King at 585 King St. in Charleston
Fuji Sushi had an inspection on Jan. 12 and got a B grade.
An inspector observed employees eating chips on the cook line.
Food was seen stored uncovered in the walk-in cooler. The ice machine had organic accumulation inside. Cook line utensils were seen stored in stagnant room temperature water. Shelving in the walk-in cooler was seen with organic accumulation.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Jan. 22 and got an A grade.
Gillie’s Soul Food at 805 Folly Road in Charleston
Gillie’s Soul Food had an inspection on Jan. 30 and got a B grade.
An inspector observed discolored cutting boards. Shelving throughout the facility was seen with an accumulation of residue and organic buildup.
The floor in the kitchen and walk-in cooler were seen soiled. Certain foods were seen not allowed to cool properly.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Feb. 8 and got an A grade.
Harbour Club at 22 Westedge St. in Charleston
Harbour Club had an inspection on Jan. 23 and got a B grade.
An inspector observed clams and mussels stored together.
Also observed were certain foods not kept at proper holding temperatures. Food was seen stored on the floor of the walk-in freezer. Cook line equipment was seen with residue accumulation.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Feb. 1 and got an A grade.
Kanji-James Island at 807 Folly Road in Charleston
Kanji-James Island had an inspection on Jan. 19 and got a B grade.
An inspector observed a blender paddle used to mix sauce had a rust-colored discoloration on it.
Also seen were corroded shelving in coolers and cook line equipment covered in grease and residue. Food was seen stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler. Food storage containers were seen not sanitized after washing and were visibly soiled while on the air drying rack.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Jan. 30 and got an A grade.
New Peking at 555 King St. in Charleston
New Peking had an inspection on Jan. 25 and got a B grade.
An inspector observed raw chicken and beef stored over ready-to-eat shrimp and vegetables. Also observed were cutting boards and food pans with old food buildup on them.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Wontons, washed broccoli and egg rolls were seen stored in old cardboard boxes.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Jan. 31 and got an A grade.
Park and Grove at 730 Rutledge Ave. in Charleston
Park and Grove had an inspection on Jan. 22 and got a B grade.
An inspector observed food stored after expiration date and other foods without date marks. Also observed was an employee eating on the cook line.
Food was seen stored on the floor and under shelving in the walk-in cooler.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Feb. 1 and got an A grade.
Wendy’s at 9145 University Blvd. in North Charleston
Wendy’s had an inspection on Jan. 11 and got a B grade.
An inspector observed an employee not switch out gloves between tasks.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Food was seen stored on the floor in the freezer. Floors and walls were dirty and needed to be cleaned.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Jan. 22 and got an A grade.
