Health inspections: Augusta restaurant told to 'clean up blood in reach-in cooler'

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 April 12 and 18, 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 April 12 and 18 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

Augusta Transitional Center, 601 Taylor St.

Chick-fil-A Grovetown, 210 Meridian Dr., Grovetown

Firehouse No.1, 1145 Broad St.

Five Guy's, 9602 Bentley Dr., Grovetown

Holmes Eats and Catering, 4307 Wild Rose Dr., Hephzibah

Jamestown Elementary School, 3637 Hiers Blvd., Hephzibah

Pelican's Snoballs, 101 E. Robinson Ave., Grovetown

Pine Hill Middle School, 2147 McElmurry Rd Hephzibah

Wife Saver, 5123 Wrightsboro Rd., Grovetown

Zaxby's, 4001 Harper Franklin Ave.

So close

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between April 12 and 18 with scores of 99, posting just one health violation. Inspectors’ comments are included:

Papa John's Pizza 1147, 112 N. Belair Rd., Evans

Inspector's comments: "Observed walk-in cooler door with a noticeable gap between the bottom corner and the wall. Consider replacing the door or get it filled in."

Getting warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between April 12 and 18, followed by their scores:

Forest Hills Grill, 1500 Comfort Rd.: 95

Little Caesars, 810 Horizon South Pkwy., Grovetown: 94

Shane's Rib Shack, 9606 Bentley Dr., Grovetown: 94

Subway, 155 E. Milledgeville Rd., Harlem: 92

Harlem Java House, 211 N. Louisville St., Harlem: 91

Partridge Inn - Rooftop Bar and Kitchen, 2110 Walton Way: 91

Touchy: 'Prepping food with bare hands' dings Augusta Wife Saver score

Not quite done

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between April 12 and 18, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

Toasty, 2808 Wheeler Rd.: 85

Inspector's comments: “Observed handwashing sink with dishes in it. Handwashing sinks are only for handwashing."

“Observed time/temperature control for safety foods not being held below the required 41 F for cold holding. Adjust or maintain reach-in cooler and prep top coolers."

“Observed mops drying on the floor. Hang mops up to air dry."

Staybridge Suites, 2540 Center West Pkwy.: 85

Inspector's comments: "No certified food safety manager document posted. Post in public view. Inspector told that certificate has expired; recertify or hire certified food safety manager within 60 days."

"If using time as food safety control, must have written standard operating procedure (Note: Hot foods discarded at end of service period)."

"Repair oven door, cabinet doors."

"Shelves, chest cooler must be installed with 6-inch legs or wheels to allow easy cleaning of floor."

Pita Mediterranean Street Food, 630 Crane Creek Dr., Ste. 102: 83

Inspector's comments: "Observed lettuce 44 F, chicken 54 F, grape leaves 63 F, and cheese 44 F cold held at temperatures above 41 F. Maintain cold held foods at 41 F or below."

"Observed rice hot held at a temperature below 135 F. Maintain hold held foods at temperatures 135 F or above."

"Observed an employee wearing a wrist band during active food prep. Ensure no items are worn on the wrists or arms during active food prep."

"Observed no test strips for the quat sanitizer being used. Obtain the proper test strips."

"Observed buildup inside prep-top-coolers and reach-in-coolers. Clean all equipment. Increase cleaning frequency."

"Observed the dumpster door left open and trash surrounding area. Ensure doors remain closed when not in use. Clean surrounding area."

"Observed standing water in main kitchen. Clean up water and check for leaks."

"Observed fruit flies throughout the main kitchen. Determine an approved method to get rid of and deter pests."

A Town Wings, 720 E. Robinson Ave., Grovetown: 82

Inspector's comments: "“Observed chicken in walk-in cooler at 58 F. Ensure all chicken is kept below 41 F or use time method before cooking.”

“Observed box of fries stored on prep table. Use time if plan leaving on prep table before cooking.”

“Observed cleaning materials stored on sink. Keep cleaning chemicals stored in a designated area."

"Observed fingernail clippings on shelf in kitchen. Do not clip fingernails in the establishment.”

Wife Saver, 3318 Washington Rd., Martinez: 80

Inspector's comments: "Observed employee handle raw chicken with gloves, proceed to walk outside to grab other food. Employee came back in and opened box of frozen okra and put on new gloves without washing hands. Observed same employee put on new gloves and proceed to pull up his pants before returning to food preparation. Wash hands between different tasks and when hands/gloves have been contaminated by contact with other things."

"Observed pork chops stored uncovered in reach-in cooler. Cover all food in storage."

"Observed buildup in ice machine and spigot for sweet tea. Observed blood dripping from pork chops in reach-in cooler down below onto container lid labeled "chicken". Clean ice machine and drink machine. Clean up blood in reach-in cooler.

"Observed chicken sitting in ice water told to be 'thawing' by an employee. Repeat violation. Utilize proper thawing methods. (i.e: under cool running water no greater than 70 degrees F)."

"Observed wet nesting of stacked pans. Repeat violation. Allow dishes to properly air dry prior to stacking."

"Observed dumpster lids left open. Close dumpster lids when not in use."

Oak Restaurant & Lounge, 1505 North Leg, Unit A: 76

Inspector's comments: "Observed no signed employee health agreements. Have all employees sign employee reporting agreements that were provided to facility."

"Observed ice machine with buildup. Clean."

"Observed mac & cheese and beef not hot holding at appropriate temperatures. Hot hold food at 135 degrees F or higher."

"Observed salmon thawing improperly in prep sink. Utilize proper thawing methods."

"Observed potatoes stored on floor. Observed ready to eat food stored beside raw beef and salmon. Store all food at least 6 inches off the floor. Follow proper storage order. Ready to eat food should be above any raw meat."

"Observed scoops stored inside sugar and flour containers. Store scoops outside of food product itself."

Popeyes, 3209 Deans Bridge Rd.: 72

Inspector's comments: "Observed no response procedures for vomiting and diarrhea events. Facility must obtain procedures for vomiting and diarrhea events."

"Observed expired coleslaw in (4/16/24) in walk in cooler. All foods must be used by use by date or discarded."

"Observed debris on food contact surfaces. Increase frequency of cleaning."

"Observed cheese in prep top cooler at 44 F, coleslaw in walk in cooler at 44 F, cheese at 54 F in walk in cooler. All foods must be maintained at 41 F or below for cold holding."

"Observed scoop left in flour. Store scoop outside flour bin to avoid accidental hand contact with food."

"Observed mops being stored in sink. All mops must be hung out to air dry."

"Observed ice buildup on inside of walk-in freezer. Increase frequency of cleaning."

Bodega Ultima, 353 Highland Ave.: 66

Inspector's comments: “Observed chicken being stored over vegetables and fruits inside walk-in cooler and reach-in cooler. Ensure proper food storage order and get all food off the floor.”

"Observed multiple uncovered food items in reach-in cooler and prep top cooler left open while not in use. Keep prep top cooler closed when not actively using. All containers in reach-in cooler should have some type of cover.”

“Observed time/temperature control for safety food in reach-in cooler and prep top cooler over 41 F. Keep food in coolers while not being used and have coolers maintained.”

“Observed chemicals stored next to clean dishes and over food items. Have cleaning supplies/chemicals stored away from all food items and items that come in contact with food.”

“Observed expired test strips. Get new test strips.”

"Observed food scattered on kitchen floor. Increase cleaning intervals.”

Wifesaver - North Leg, 1510 North Leg: 62

Inspector's comments: "Observed employee breading/flowering chicken remove gloves and place new gloves on before going to prepare plates at front without washing hands prior. Wash hands when changing task."

"Observed cheese stored uncovered in walk in cooler in back of kitchen. Observed chicken in outside walk in cooler uncovered. All foods must remain covered."

"Observed brown buildup in ice machine with unknown tube from ice machine touching ice. Clean all food contact services and move tube that is touching ice."

"Observed potentially hazardous (potato salad) food cold held at greater than 41 F. All time/temperature control for safety foods must be held at 41 F or below."

"Observed several foods in walk in cooler without proper labeling. Observed butter with use by date of 4-15-24. Remove all items on or before use by date."

"Observed Hot Shot spray stored with other cleaning supplies. If there is a pest problem contact a pest control provider."

"Observed employees wearing earrings, rings, bracelets on during food preparation. Observed personal items (jacket) on or above food items in food dry storage area. All employee items should be stored in personal area away from food. Jewelry should not be worn during food preparation. Food prep personal is only allowed to rear one single band ring."

"Observed scoops being stored in flour and sugar containers. Do not store scoops inside of food product with handles touching. Scoops should be stored outside of food product."

"Observed wet nesting of stacked pans in dish washing area. Allow pans / dishes to properly dry prior to stacking."

"Observed dumpster left open when not in use. Keep dumpster closed when not in use."

"Observed buildup on cords near fryer. Observed excess grease behind fryer area. Increase frequency of cleaning to avoid food contamination."

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Health inspections: Two Augusta restaurants edge failing scores