RESTAURANT-INSPECTIONS

Health inspections: Downtown Augusta restaurant scores an F

Joe Hotchkiss
Augusta Chronicle

The Georgia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Section, conducts regular restaurant inspections to help keep residents and visitors safe.

The following is a list of restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that have been inspected between April 26 and May 2, accompanied by their scores and, in some cases, the health infractions that lowered those scores.

Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their 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 score

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between April 26 and May 2 with scores of 100, without a single health violation.

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Big T's Mobile Seafood, 4314 Wrightsboro Rd., Grovetown

Blue Top Lounge & Supper Club, 1241 Steiner Ave.

Chick-fil-A, 3066 Washington Rd.

Goshen Elementary School, 4040 Old Waynesboro Rd.

J Hebbard Boys & Girls Club, 2241 Wheeless Rd.

Orange Moon Delights, 2907 Washington Rd.

The Foundry, 250 Boy Scout Rd.

Tropical Smoothie Café, 2801 Washington Rd.

So close

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between April 26 and May 2 with scores of 99, posting just one health violation. Inspectors’ comments are included:

Sonics 5816, 3712 Mike Padgett Hwy.

Inspector's comments: “Observed wet nesting of clean dishes. Allow dishes to air dry before stacking.”

A low of 59:See which Augusta restaurant failed its inspection and why

Getting warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between April 26 and May 2, followed by their scores:

Groucho's Deli of Augusta, 758 Broad St.: 97

Augusta Rescue Mission, 525 Watkins St.: 97

Burger King 10346, 1601 Gordon Hwy.: 97

Jones Wings & Things, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans: 96

Residence Inn Augusta, 1116 Marks Church Rd.: 96

The '56 Pub, 4020 Mike Padgett Hwy.: 96

Crisp and Co. LLC, 2711 Oakland Ave.: 96

Smokin Sparky's, 5445 Columbia Rd., Grovetown: 95

Tea's Coffee House, 3941 Lakeside Pass, Hephzibah : 94

Wasabi Express, 2838 Washington Rd.: 94

McBean Elementary School, 1165 Hephzibah-McBean Rd., Hephzibah: 93

Bodega Ultima, 353 Highland Ave.: 93

The Place at Deans Bridge, 3235 Deans Bridge Rd.: 92

Springhill Suites By Marriott, 1110 Marks Church Rd.: 91

Bojangles, 3705 Mike Padgett Hwy.: 91

Hardee's, 3309 Peach Orchard Rd.: 91

Comfort Inn & Suites, 2121 Noland Connector Rd.: 91

Pizza Hut 2022, 2519 Tobacco Rd., Hephzibah: 91

Agape Day Living, 1840 Phinizy Rd.: 91

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, 3609 Walton Way Ext.: 90

Not quite done

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between April 26 and May 2, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

Circle K/Blimpie 5378, 602 Scott Nixon Memorial Dr.: 84

Inspector's comments: "Observed missing employee health reporting agreements. Have all employee health reporting agreements available for inspections."

"Observed peppers, onions, and tomatoes past date marks. Monitor date markings and ensure food items are properly discarded."

"Observed the previous inspection not posted. Always keep the most current health inspection posted."

"Observed clean dishes wet stacked. Allow the dishes to properly air dry before being stacked."

"Observed the dumpster door left open. Ensure the dumpster doors remain closed when not in use."

China Wok, 2514 Tobacco Rd., Unit D, Hephzibah: 84

Inspector's comments: "“Observed uncovered vegetables and chicken in walk-in cooler. Keep all food covered while in storage.

“Observed chicken in reach-in cooler being held over 41 F. Ensure all cold holding of time/temperature control for safety food stay below 41 F.”

"Observed food stored on floor in walk-in cooler. Keep all food at least 6 inches off the floor.”

Hong Kong, 3718 Mike Padgett Hwy.: 81

Inspector's comments: “Observed employee drink stored on prep table. Have employee items stored in designated area.”

“Observed improper storage order in walk-in cooler. Observed chicken stored over pork. Observed food stored on floor in WIC. Store pork over chicken. Get all food at least 6 inches off the floor.”

“Observed cleaner stored next to food. Have all cleaning materials in designated area.”

The Juicy Crab, 2834 Washington Rd.: 80

Inspector's comments: "Observed employee come inside kitchen from back door, rinse hands without soap in three-compartment sink used for dish washing and return to fry/grill line to prepare food. Wash hands with water and soap. Wash hands only in sinks designated for hand washing."

"Observed two employees preparing sauce cups of honey mustard and wiping sides of over-filled cups with bare hands. Utilize gloves when handling ready to eat foods."

"Observed clams, mussels, shrimp, and tilapia stored uncovered in reach-in cooler on grill line. Cover all food in storage."

"Observed brown build up in corners of ice machine. Repeat violation. Clean food contact surfaces as needed."

"Observed food stored on floor in dry storage and walk-in freezer. Store food 6 inches or higher off the ground."

"Observed scoops stored in potato starch, sugar, and other seasoning containers. Repeat violation. Store scoops outside of food product itself."

"Observed wet nesting of stacked dishes. Allow dishes to properly air dry prior to stacking."

The Brunch House of Augusta, 573 Greene St.: 66

Inspector's comments: "Observed no person in charge at time of inspection. PIC or designee must be present at all times.

"Observed several cooks leave kitchen area, return and place new gloves on without washing hands. When leaving area and returning, hands must be washed properly before placing new gloves on."

"Observed no employee health reporting agreements on site at time of inspection. Employee health reporting agreements must remain on site at all times."

"Observed strawberry cream cheese stored on counter, uncovered. All product must be stored covered."

"Observed several items cold held above temperature (view temps above). Ensure that could held items do not exceed 41 degrees F."

"Observed box (case) of pancake mix stored on floor. Ensure that all items are stored at least 6 inches off the floor."

"Observed cook preparing food without proper hair restraint. Persons preparing food must have hair properly covered when doing so."

"Observed employee place new gloves on prior to washing hands after leaving work area. Hands must be washed before placing on new gloves after leaving work area."