Inspections: Asian restaurant in Hephzibah gets a "C" health rating. Find out why.

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 Jan. 23 and 29, 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 Jan. 23 and 29 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

Brookdale Augusta, 326 Boy Scout Rd.

Kinki Sushi, 3328 Washington Rd., Ste. 1P

Pilot Wendy's, 2975 Gun Club Rd.

Pizza Hut, 615 15th St.

Popeyes, 2491 Tobacco Rd., Hephzibah

Riverside Middle School, 1095 Furys Ferry Rd., Evans

South Columbia Elementary School, 325 McCormick Rd.

South Richmond Head Start, 3950 Deans Bridge Rd., Hephzibah

Starbucks Coffee, 3120 Peach Orchard Rd.

'Do not work with infected wounds': Violations shrink restaurant's health score

Getting warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between Jan. 23 and 29 followed by their scores:

Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 630 Crane Creek Dr.: 98

PruittHealth Creekside, 2021 Scott Rd.: 97

Subway, 4471 Columbia Rd., Martinez: 96

Hello Poke, 1141 Agerton Ln.: 96

California Dreaming, 3241 Washington Rd.: 95

C And L China Restaurant, 2816 Washington Rd., Ste. 107: 95

Air Strike Trampoline Park Concessions, 1249 Augusta West Pkwy: 94

Sonic Drive-In, 3743 Wheeler Rd.: 94

Longhorn Steakhouse of Augusta, 3267 Washington Rd.: 93

Maryland Fried Chicken, 12 Broad St.: 92

MFC On Wheels, 12 Broad St.: 92

Bruster's Real Ice Cream, 1115 Agerton Ln.: 92

Bruster's Real Ice Cream Trailer, 1115 Agerton Ln.: 92

Tony's Express Restaurant, 4471 Columbia Rd., Ste A-1, Martinez: 90

Not quite done

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between Jan. 23 and 29, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

Waffle House, 2951 Washington Rd.: 89

Inspector's comments: "Observed tomatoes, ham, onions, and mushrooms cold holding above 41 degrees F. Cold hold food at 41 degrees F or below."

"Observed scoops in chocolate chips and berries. Store scoops outside of food product itself."

"Observed build up in corners of ice machine. Clean."

Cuz’s Place, 1979 Tobacco Rd.: 89

Inspector's comments: "Observed hand sink in kitchen not working (no water). Repair hand sink."

"Observed meat thawing in pan of water in three compartment sinks. Thaw meat (food) with running water."

"Observed pressure washer stored beside clean dishes (touching) in kitchen. Store pressure washer away from dishes/food."

"Observed no handwashing sign for employees in men's restroom. Post signage in men's restroom."

Asian Wok, 3697 Windsor Spring Rd., Bldg. B104, Hephzibah: 77

Inspector's comments: "Observed no paper towels at hand washing sink. Repeat. Hand washing sinks need to be stocked with paper towels."

"Observed raw scallops stored next to raw chicken. Raw chicken stored over and next to raw beef in walk in cooler. Follow correct storage order to prevent cross-contamination."

"Observed prepped food in walk in cooler and reach in coolers uncovered. Repeat. Ensure all foods are stored covered."

"Observed scoops without handles stored in dry ingredients. Use scoops with handles and store handle out of food."

"Observed to-go bags being used for food storage in walk in cooler and walk in freezer. Repeat. To-go bags are not to be used for storage bags. Use food grade bags for food storage."

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta-area restaurants struggling for higher inspections scores