Greenville Restaurants Under the Microscope: Inspectors Find Surprising Violations
Hey there, Greenville! If you love dining out—or maybe have your go-to takeout spots—it might be wise to pay attention to a recent round of restaurant inspections that highlighted some less-than-appetizing findings. Sure, we all love our local eateries, but it seems some of them are in a little hot water (and we’re not talking about the soup).
What Did the Inspectors Discover?
In October alone, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture conducted a whopping 296 inspections across the state, and while most establishments scored flying colors, a handful of eateries in the Greenville area had some serious issues on their hands.
Out of those inspected, the majority earned an A grade, signifying high marks in cleanliness and food safety. However, 27 establishments managed to score a B, and four were left scrambling with a C grade. Ouch!
The Standouts and Their Grades
Let’s dive into some of the notable restaurants:
- Country House Cafe, located at 2221 Highway 25 N in Travelers Rest, scored a 74 and snagged a C grade. Their violations were eye-catching, to say the least:
- The hand sink was being used as a dump sink, and there was no soap or paper towels.
- There was a crack in the sanitizer line! Oops!
- Old date stickers cluttered the sight of food stored improperly, and rodent evidence was noted in the dish machine. Yikes!
- And can we talk about those makeshift repairs? Tape, putty, and bungee cords? Not exactly the professional touch you want to see!
- Molina’s Mexican Restaurant at 2 Benton Road, Travelers Rest, ended up with an 80 on a follow-up, receiving a C grade as well:
- Staff were seen wiping down gloves. Newsflash: changing gloves is what you should be doing!
- Colder water was needed for handwashing, and the cheese dip was found in a warm water well.
- Finally, Sticky Fingers Restaurant at 1 S. Main St., Greenville, scored an 88, but issues such as a hand sink used incorrectly and a serious fruit fly infestation bit hard:
- Grime buildup was alarming in fryers and ovens, and standing water was found on floors!
- Some labeling was missing for prepared food items — not cool!
Learning From the Mistakes
Now, despite these unfortunate findings, some establishments turned things around impressively after follow-up inspections. Halls Chophouse, for example, initially had an A grade and was downgraded to a C due to consecutive violations. They promptly corrected their temperature control woes and were back up to an A the very next day. Talk about redemption!
In general, many restaurants acknowledge their violations and follow up with quick repairs. The inspectors issue grades as a wake-up call to keep a watchful eye on food safety practices and cleanliness. Remember, when it comes to food prep and serving, the rules are there to keep everyone safe! It’s a community effort, after all.
So What’s the Takeaway?
As we continue to support our local dining gems, let’s also be vigilant. Check those grades, ask about cleanliness, and when you dine out, remember: the health and safety of everyone is a team effort! After all, we want our meals to be as delicious as they are safe.
Until next time, Greenville, keep enjoying those bites, but maybe hold off on that bungee cord fix notion next time you’re in the kitchen! Bon appétit!
