Slimy lettuce, fuzzy fruit, roaches & more in Midlands restaurants with worst August inspections
South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Midlands in August, from moldy fruit and vegetables in storage to roach and fly infestations. The state each month releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments across Midlands counties.
Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in August.
2 Gingers at 245 Bush River Road in Richland
2 Gingers had an inspection on Aug. 7 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed roach and fly activity throughout the facility, as well as adhesive fly traps installed above food preparation areas.
Also seen was white, fuzzy growth on produce stored with in-use inventory. Cracked raw eggs were seen stored above an uncovered container of shredded cabbage. Debris buildup was seen on a knife stored as clean.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures, as well as containers of food stored directly on the floor. Uncovered containers of food were seen throughout the facility.
Black buildup and grooves were seen in prep table cutting boards. Also, floors, walls and ceilings were in poor repair throughout the facility.
The restaurant had four separate followup inspections in August and earned a C grade for each one. Another required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Blue Fin at 461-4 Town Center Place in Richland
Blue Fin had an inspection on Aug. 17 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed eggs from a personal source not approved for use in the facility. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Perfume spray bottles were seen stored at single service storage.
Also, a gap was seen at the bottom of the back exterior door. Buildup was seen under equipment throughout the kitchen area and bar.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 23 and got another C grade. The restaurant had a second followup inspection on Aug. 31 and earned an A grade.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill at 370 Columbiana Drive in Richland
Carrabba’s had an inspection on Aug. 22 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fuzzy growth on strawberries and raspberries stored with in-use inventory in the walk-in cooler. Also observed was food debris on salad plates stored as clean.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. An employee with artificial nails was seen working with exposed food products without gloves. Buildup of debris and splash was seen on floors and walls in the facility.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 31 and got an A grade.
China King at 420 H McNulty Street in Richland
China King had an inspection on Aug. 31 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed food stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer. Also observed was food stored without lids on the containers.
Personal medicine was seen stored above the prep table. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures.
A required followup inspection had not yet been held.
Cracker Barrel at 1140 Kinley Road in Richland
Cracker Barrel had an inspection on Aug. 14 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed flies in the kitchen and a bag of onions stored on the floor. Also observed were broken tiles in the dish room that allowed water to collect, as well as the light system hanging loose from the ceiling over the chicken batter station.
Trays used to clean tables of dirty dishes were seen put into rotation for serving foods without a wash/sanitize step. Employees were seen using quick gloves to handle raw products and change gloves without a hand wash step.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 22 and got an A grade.
El Poblano Mexican Restaurant at 2371 Dutch Fork Road in Richland
El Poblano had an inspection on Aug. 4 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fuzzy white growth on peppers in the walk-in cooler and condensation dripping from the walk-in fridge directly onto uncovered pans of cooked beans. Also observed were knives with food debris stored as clean at the cook line.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Buildup of grease was seen on equipment, along with food debris buildup on walk-in cooler shelving.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 24 and got an A grade.
Henry’s at 2865 Devine Street in Richland
Henry’s had an inspection on Aug. 16 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fruit flies in the front bar area. Also observed was black buildup in the grooves on cutting boards.
Biofilm buildup was seen on dish racks, as well as grease collecting on the ground under the hood system vent. Pans with plastic residue and debris were seen stored as clean.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 22 and earned an A grade.
La Fogata at 11210 Broad River Road in Richland
La Fogata had an inspection on Aug. 21 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fuzzy growth on cut tomatoes and limes in the walk-in cooler. Also observed was fly activity in the kitchen and storage areas. As well as damage to back doors and screening on back doors, allowing for entry of pests.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Uncovered containers of food were seen stored beneath heavily soiled shelving in the walk-in cooler. Open containers of food were seen in the dry storage area, allowing for potential pest contamination.
Also seen were stacked, covered containers of refried beans and queso that had inadequately cooled overnight.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 22 and got an A grade.
Outback Steakhouse at 7611 Two Notch Road in Richland
Outback Steakhouse had an inspection on Aug. 17 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed roach activity in the front and back of the kitchen. Also observed were raw, prepped potatoes stored open under roof access at traffic area of the back door.
In use knives were seen stored between pieces of equipment. Food buildup and grime were seen on the exterior and interior of equipment in the kitchen. Dishes with food debris and buildup were seen stored as clean.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 23 and got an A grade.
Prince House of Pizza at 135 E. Blythewood Road in Richland
Prince House of Pizza had an inspection on Aug. 31 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed an insect control device hanging from the ceiling near the pizza prep oven and food stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler.
Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Raw eggs were seen stored above ready-to-eat products. Also, the ice machine was seen with dirt and debris buildup in the ice chute.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Red Bowl Asian Bistro at 481-11 Town Center PL. in Richland
Red Bowl had an inspection on Aug. 7 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed a pan of raw shrimp sitting on top of a trash can. Several open buckets of sauces were seen stored directly on the floor.
Fish was seen sitting out at the sushi bar to thaw. Also, a can of butane was seen stored next to thawing fish.
Certain foods were seen not cooling properly. Raw eggs were seen stored over an open container of raw pork.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 11 and got another C grade. The restaurant had a second followup inspection on Aug. 21 and earned an A grade.
Carolina Ale House at 277 Columbiana Circle in Lexington
Carolina Ale House had an inspection on Aug. 9 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fly activity in the kitchen and dish areas and containers of tortilla chips stored directly on the floor.
Wiping cloths were seen not stored in adequate sanitizing solution. Low boy coolers in the kitchen were seen not holding foods at proper temperatures. A buildup of grease and food debris was seen on the interior and exterior of equipment. The walk-in cooler floor was no longer sealed and easily cleanable.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 17 and got an A grade.
FATZ at 942 E. Main Street in Lexington
FATZ had an inspection on Aug. 2 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed dark brown, slimy substance on lettuce and white fuzzy growth on the products in the cooler. Also observed was puddling of water throughout the kitchen areas and the walk-in cooler.
Several open cases of single service items were seen stored in the water heater room. Also, the walk-in cooler was found to not work properly.
The restaurant had two followup inspections on Aug. 3 and Aug. 9 and again got C grades. It had another followup inspection on Aug. 18 and earned an A grade.
Inakaya Watanabe at 655 St. Andrews Road in Lexington
Inakaya Watanabe had an inspection on Aug. 18 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed fruit flies throughout the kitchen area. Also observed was frozen raw chicken stored directly over an open box of frozen fish, as well as raw beef products stored together with raw chicken.
An employee was seen preparing sushi for customer consumption without gloves. Other employees were seen not washing hands between points of contamination.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 28 and got an A grade.
Kingsman at 936 Axtell Drive in Lexington
Kingsman had an inspection on Aug. 16 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed roach and fly activity throughout the facility. Also observed was an open package of raw steak stored above empty containers of cooked vegetables in grill line prep cooler. Packaged onion rings were seen stored in contact with raw Philly meat.
Shelves used for food storage were seen lined with soiled cardboard. Grease was seen on exteriors of equipment and tables beneath equipment. An employee was seen cleaning and rinsing spatulas intended for immediate use without sanitizing.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 24 and got an A grade.
China 8 at 340 E Martintown Road in Aiken
China 8 had an inspection on Aug. 4 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed raw beef stored over raw seafood. Also observed was bowls used to scoop raw chicken stored in pan of beef, as well as a box of raw chicken stored over noodles in the walk-in cooler.
Fly baits were seen stored over a sink and over shelving in the storage area. Multiple boxes of cooked chicken were seen stored in raw chicken boxes in the walk-in cooler. Grease and food buildup was seen on cooking equipment.
The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Aug. 10 and got a C grade. The restaurant had a second followup inspection on Aug. 17 and got an A grade.
El Guerrero at 412 North Main Street in Saluda
El Guerrero had an inspection on Aug. 18 and got a C grade.
An inspector observed multiple bags of spinach showing signs of rot. Also observed was raw beef stored over onions in the prep cooler, along with raw chicken stored over raw beef in the walk-in cooler.
Food was seen stored on the floor of the freezer. The floors in the kitchen were unclean.
The restaurant had a followup inspection on Aug. 24 and got an A grade.
