Restaurant Inspections in Greenville: September’s Food Safety Snapshot
Hey there, Greenville! It’s that time of the month again when we take a closer look at the food inspection scores for our local dining scene. As residents of this vibrant city, we want to ensure that every bite we take not only tantalizes our taste buds but is also safe for our health.
In September, we saw some notable trends in food safety inspections conducted by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA). With the effects of Tropical Storm Helene complicating things, inspections between September 26 and 30 were excluded. However, we still managed to gather plenty of interesting details from earlier in the month!
What’s the Scoop on the Inspections?
Overall, *September was a mixed bag*. Some restaurants showed outstanding improvement, while others fell below the SCDA’s safety standards. The department performs a whopping 2,500 inspections a year in our county, and this month’s report revealed *some concerning patterns* including:
- High presence of flies and rodent droppings
- Buckets of cooked sauce being left out
- Uncovered raw meat stored in cardboard boxes
Oh no! It’s clear that there remains a need for improvement in certain establishments. The August inspections had a special focus on two types of violations: priority, which pose the highest risk for foodborne illness, and foundation, which, while significant, are less likely to lead directly to illness.
A Closer Look at the Grades
On a grading scale of 100, any establishment scoring below 78 is in the danger zone, which means significant enhancements are needed. Let’s dive into some of the restaurants that experienced grade drops in September and how they fared on follow-up inspections:
1. Tato’s Pizzeria
Location: 109 Miller Road (Mauldin)
During a visit on September 5, the pizza joint received an initial score of *86*, earning it a “C” grade due to seven out-of-compliance violations. It wasn’t all bad news though! A follow-up visit on September 12 showed progress with an impressive upgrade to an “A” grade.
2. Zaxby’s
Location: 3838 E. North St. (Greenville)
This popular fried chicken place had a ‘B’ score on September 4 but faced a **follow-up inspection** on the 9th because of issues with cold-holding temperatures for raw chicken. Thankfully, they bounced back quickly, achieving an “A” grade on September 13.
3. Super Carniceria El Gallo Giro
Location: 3401 White Horse Road (Greenville)
Unfortunately, this establishment had a rough inspection on September 11, receiving a lowly score of *71* due to numerous violations. However, they managed another visit on September 20, resulting in another well-deserved “A” grade!
4. US Wings and Deli
Location: 6134 White Horse Road #G1 (Greenville)
This spot reported a score of *75* on September 19 due to violations, but just a week later, they redeemed themselves, scoring an “A” on September 26.
5. Molina’s Mexican Restaurant
Location: 2 Benton Road (Traveler’s Rest)
This restaurant encountered a score of *76* on September 24. A follow-up took place on October 10, and unfortunately, they maintained at “C” grade. Consistency in food safety appears to be a challenge here.
What Does This All Mean for Us?
Community safety and health are paramount here in Greenville, and understanding the inspection process helps us make informed choices about where to dine out. Keep your eyes peeled for those health grades as you explore the delicious offerings around our lovely city! Remember, a little awareness can go a long way.
As your friendly neighborhood food news source, we’ll continue to keep you updated on all the latest from our vibrant dining community. Stay hungry, and most importantly, stay safe!
Until next time, get out there and enjoy all that Greenville has to offer!
