These Augusta Mall restaurants scored lowest in latest round of area health inspections

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 March 1 and 7, 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 scores

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between March 1 and 7 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

Pizza Hut, 569 Milledgeville Rd., Ste. A, Harlem

Kettle Creek Creamery, 1030 West Lake Commons Dr., Ste. 2, Martinez

Christie's Coffee Co., 380 W. Milledgeville Rd., Harlem

Carla's Kitchen, 2441 Peach Orchard Rd.

A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School, 1324 Laney-Walker Blvd.

A. Brian Merry Elementary School, 415 Boy Scout Rd.

Health inspections: Augusta restaurant cited for a missing sink

Getting warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between March 1 and 7, followed by their scores:

Meadowbrook Elementary School, 3630 Goldfinch Dr.: 97

Starbucks Coffee, 222 Meridian Dr., Grovetown: 96

Wilkinson Gardens Elementary School, 1925 Kratha Dr.: 96

Marco's Pizza, 5159 Columbia Rd., Ste. 101, Grovetown: 95

Holiday Inn Express Augusta North, 1073 Stevens Creek Rd.: 91

Twin Peaks, 277 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Pkwy.: 90

Not quite done

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between March 1 and 7, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

Little Caesars Pizza, 3697 Windsor Spring Rd., Hephzibah: 89

"Observed cooking spray stored in container without appropriate labeling. Label containers of food product if no longer being stored in original container."

"Observed employees not wearing hair nets. Observed employee with Apple watch on. Observed another employee wearing bracelet and ring. Do not wear jewelry/watches while conducting food prep."

"Observed expired test strips (2019) at three-compartment sink. Obtain new test strips."

"Observed dust and debris on floors, walls, and ceilings in main kitchen area. Clean."

"Observed dead cockroach at door of WIC. Have pest control done if needed."

Charley's Philly Steaks - Augusta Mall, 3450 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. 2390: 88

"Observed mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and mayo cold holding on prep top cooler at temperatures above 41 degrees F. Repeat violation. Cold hold at 41 degrees F or lower. Discard of mayo at 64 degrees F."

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

A & D Buffalo - Augusta Mall, 3450 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. 2336: 87

"Observed excess reddish brown build up inside ice machine. Clean food contact surfaces as needed."

"Observed several containers of shortening and oil stored on floor throughout kitchen. Store all food 6 inches or higher off ground."

"Observed scoop stored inside cornstarch container with handle inside. Store scoops outside of food product itself. Do not allow handles to come in direct contact with food product."

"Observed foul odor at back door and container holding old grease/sludge open. Discard of old grease to remove odor from premises."

"Observed live cockroach activity inside container/box holding oil stored on floor. Observed cockroach trap full. Remove old cockroach traps if full. Contact pest control if a pest issue is present."

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Newest restaurant health inspections for Richmond, Columbia counties