Rat poison, traps in Augusta nightspot's kitchen, according to health inspectors' report

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. 30 and Feb. 5, 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. 30 and Feb. 5 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

Cedar Ridge Elementary, 1000 Trudeau Trl., Grovetown

Grovetown Middle School, 5463 Harlem-Grovetown Rd., Grovetown

A. Dorothy Hains Elementary School, 1820 Windsor Spring Rd.

W.S Hornsby 6-8, 320 Kentucky Ave.

W.S. Hornsby Pre-K-5, 310 Kentucky Ave.

Jersey Mike's Subs, 4010 Gateway Blvd., Ste. 4, Grovetown

Ming House Express, 3819 Washington Rd., Martinez

The Place at Martinez, 409 Pleasant Home Rd.

Steak Out, 106 Pleasant Home Rd., Ste. 2T

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 5003 Steiner Way, Ste. 1

Zaxby's, 5002 Steiner Way, Grovetown

Final score: Asian restaurant in Hephzibah gets 'C' rating. Find out why.

So close

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between Jan. 30 and Feb. 5 with scores of 99, posting just one health violation. Inspectors’ comments are included:

University Food Court, 1350 Walton Way

Inspector's comments: "Observed mop stored improperly in chemical closet area. Store mops to where they can properly air dry."

"Observed wet nesting on dishes stored on shelf. Allow dishes to air dry before stacking."

Getting warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between Jan. 30 and Feb. 5 followed by their scores:

Barton Chapel Road Elementary, 2329 Barton Chapel Rd.: 98

Richmond Hill K-8, 3420 Julia Ave.: 98

Starbucks Coffee, 3018 Washington Rd.: 98

New China, 5112 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. A, Grovetown: 97

Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, 4471 Columbia Rd., Ste. C-2, Martinez: 96

Windemere Health And Rehabilitation Center, 3618 J. Dewey Gray Cir.: 96

Café On Eighth, 226 Eighth St.: 95

Pizza Hut Carryout, 104 Harlem-Grovetown Rd., Grovetown: 94

Mi Rancho Grovetown, 4010 Gateway Blvd., Ste. 1, Grovetown: 94

Piedmont Augusta Café, 1350 Walton Way: 93

Waffle House, 1202 George C. Wilson Dr.: 90

Not quite done

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between Jan. 30 and Feb. 5, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

Chilis, 273 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Pkwy.: 89

Inspector's comments: "Observed milk, chicken and beef held past date markings stored in coolers in the main kitchen. Monitor date markings and ensure food items are properly discarded."

"Observed employees wearing jewelry on their wrists while actively preparing and cooking food. Observed an employee wearing gloves and touching their clothing prior to preparing food. Ensure employees are aware of DPH rules regarding jewelry during active food prep/cooking. Re-train staff on measures regarding personal cleanliness to prevent contamination in the kitchen."

"Observed the scoop handle in the cheese in the PTC. Ensure scoops are properly stored."

"Observed wet nesting of clean dishes. Allow dishes to properly air dry before stacking."

Comfort Inn, 4071 Jimmie Dyess Pkwy.: 88

Inspector's comments: "Observed food items in reach-in-cooler by microwave in dining area not being held at 41 degrees or below. Transfer items in different unit, discontinue use until fixed."

"Observed a sleeve of cups without protective barrier sitting in drawer in a small pool of water, located underneath juice dispenser. Cups were thrown away, area was cleaned. Items sitting in drawers must have protective barrier over them, prevents contamination."

Waffle House, 2794 Riverwatch Pkwy.: 88

Inspector's comments: "Observed blank employee health reporting agreements. Observed some employees not having employee health reporting agreement. Have all employees have a signed copy of employee health reporting agreements."

"Observed ice machine with buildup in corners. Clean."

"Observed glass cleaner stored with paper napkins ad other plastic foodware. Store all toxic substances/cleaning supplies away from food contact items and surfaces."

Quality Inn & Suites, 2176 Gordon Hwy.: 87

Inspector's comments: "Provide soap and single use towels at hand sinks."

"Maintain cold foods at 41 degrees or below. Refrigerator thermostat turned down (was at warmest setting)."

Benton House of Augusta, 204 Frazier Ct.: 84

Inspector's comments: "Observed pink and black buildup inside the bulk ice machine. Observed food buildup inside the microwave. Clean buildup inside the bulk ice machine & microwave. Increase cleaning frequency."

"Observed salad and yogurt without use-by dates stored in the reach-in-coolers. Ensure ready to eat foods are stored with prep dates & use-by dates stored in the, properly discarded."

"Observed a can of Raid laying on the floor behind the 3-compartment sink in the dish washing room. Determine approved methods to get rid of and deter pests."

"Observed scoop handle laying on top of sugar stored in dry storage. Ensure scoops are properly stored."

"Observed wet nesting of clean dishes. Allow clean dishes to properly air dry before stacking."

Carole Fabrics, 633 Northwest Frontage Rd.: 82

Inspector's comments: "Observed black buildup inside the ice shoot and around the nozzles on the front service drink machine. Clean inside and around the drink machine."

"Observed time-temperature control for safety/ready-to-eat foods held for cold holding at the front food service counter at temperatures above 41F. Service cooling unit or adjust thermostat to ensure foods can be held at 41F or below. May consider using time."

"Observed time-temperature control for safety/ready-to-eat foods held for hot holding at the front food service counter at temperatures below 135 F. Service heating unit or replace heat lamp. May consider using time."

"Observed wet nesting of clean dishes. Allow clean dishes to air dry before stacking."

"Observed incorrect test strips for sanitizer being used. Obtain the correct test strips for sanitizer being used."

Prime Time Sports Bar and Grill, 1721 Gordon Hwy.: 81

Inspector's comments: "Observed employee touching ready to eat (shrimp) with bare hands when single-use gloves or utensils are required. Employees must wear gloves when handling read to eat foods."

"Observed no employee health agreements at time of inspection. Have them available at time of inspection."

"Establishment does not have established procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food establishment. All establishments must have established procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food establishment."

"Observed food sitting in reach in cooler uncovered. Cover all food being stored."

"Observed wet mop not hung to dry. All wet mops must be hung out to dry."

"Observed buildup of ice in reach in cooler. Increase frequency of cleaning."

Rendezvous at Three, 1524 Gordon Hwy.: 77

Inspector's comments: "Observed ready to eat pasta stored next to raw beef/turkey. Observed raw fish stored below raw beef. Follow correct storage order."

"Observed rat poison, rat traps and insect powder in kitchen area. Use a licensed pest control operator to handle pest control. Do not store toxic substances alongside food product."

"Observed oil stored on floor in kitchen area. Store all food 6 inches or higher off of floor."

"Observed bathroom (women's) with no handwashing sign. Observed most recent inspection not posted. Post most recent inspection in public view. Place handwashing sign in bathroom."

"Observed plate used for scoop in flour. Observed ice scoop handle touching ice at bar area. Store scoops outside of food product itself."

"Observed hole in ceiling and wall in bathroom. Repair."

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta restaurants approach failure after newest health inspections