Health inspections: Augusta restaurants dinged for holding food past expiration dates

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 July 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.

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Perfect score

Here are food and drink establishments in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between July 12 and 18 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

Burger King 5128, 3054 Washington Rd.

Captain D's 3799, 3029 Washington Rd.

Cozi Cup Coffee, 1526 Johns Rd.

Dink'd Pickleball, 500 Furys Ferry Rd., Suite 107, Martinez

Dippin Dots, 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans

Eat @ Betty's River Cuisine, 25 Dolphin Way, Evans

La Pena Bernal Mexican Antojitos, 4050 Jimmie Dyess Pkwy.

Lemon Legend, 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans

Sunset Slush of Augusta, 2298 Overton Rd.

Taquizas La Pena Bernal, 4050 Jimmie Dyess Pkwy.

The Crazy Pina, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans

Ziggi's Coffee, 254 Furys Ferry Rd.

So close

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

Checkers 3005, 2617 Deans Bridge Rd.

Starbucks Coffee, 3120 Peach Orchard Rd.

Getting warmer

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

Wrap & Roll Kitchen, 7016 Evans Town Center Park Blvd., Evans: 97

Skateland of Augusta, 2451 Windsor Spring Rd.: 96

Pizza Hut Carryout 2017, 104 Harlem-Grovetown Rd., Grovetown: 95

Mi Rancho Grovetown, 4010 Gateway Blvd., Ste. 1, Grovetown: 93

Izumi Japanese Buffet, 4368 Washington Rd., Evans: 91

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Not quite done

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

Checkers 1197, 3050 Washington Rd.: 89 

Inspector’s comments:

• "Observed employee come back to main food prep area from restroom and not wash hands prior to continuing food prep. Although washing hands in restroom is good, hands should be washed when re-entering food prep areas prior to putting on gloves and continuing food preparation."

• "Observed missing floor tiles and standing water throughout kitchen area. Repair missing floor tiles."

Edgar's Bakehouse, 3179 Washington Rd., Ste. B: 86 

Inspector’s comments:

• "Observed excess brown build up in ice machine in prep area. Clean food contact surfaces regularly."

• "Observed unlabeled liquid stored in walk-in cooler. Observed unlabeled spray bottle in WIC. Observed expired buttermilk (7/11/24), orange juice (3/8/24), and lemon juice (7/2/24). Label all food items in storage. Discard food items appropriately and monitor expiration dates."

• "Observed employee preparing bread while wearing watch on wrist. Observed another employee wearing rings. Refrain from wearing jewelry on the arms, wrists, and hands during active food prep."

• "Observed scoops stored in pearl sugar, malt powder, salt, cornstarch, and flour containers. Repeat violation. Store scoops outside of food product itself."

• "Observed expired sanitizer test strips in both prep areas, (6/15/24) and Feb. 2024. Obtain new test strips to ensure accurate testing of sanitizer concentrations."

Waffle House 2204, 246 Davis Rd.: 83 

Inspector’s comments:

• "Observed food items (sausage and beef) cold held above 41 F. Maintain cold held foods at 41 F or below."

• "Observed wheat bread held past date markings. Monitor date markings and ensure food items get properly discarded."

• "Observed employees wearing watches during active food prep. Only a single, plain band ring may be worn during active food prep."

• "Observed buildup on several equipment throughout the kitchen. Clean all equipment. Increase cleaning frequency."

• "Observed the dumpster door left open. Ensure the dumpster door(s) remain closed when not in use."

Dunkin Donuts Peach Orchard, 2930 Peach Orchard Rd.: 82 

Inspector’s comments:

• "Observed no certified protection manager. Ensure employee that is ServSafe-qualified has certificate posted in the store."

• "Observed cheese in PTC not being held at 41 F or below. Fix PTC and ensure time/temperature control for safety is staying at 41 F or below."

• "Observed expired cream cheese in PTC. Throw away all expired food."

Wings 2 Go, 2763 Tobacco Rd., Ste. M, Hephzibah: 75 

Inspector’s comments:

• "Observed no employee health agreements. Have every employee sign health agreements."

• "Observed build up in ice maker. Clean ice maker."

• "Observed chicken reach-in cooler at 51 F. Chicken in cold storage should be kept at 41 F or below."

• "Observed chicken not being tracked at what time it is being set out. If food is not being cold/hot held, put the time that it was set out."

• "Observed no prep and discard dates. Food not in original container should have prep and discard dates."

• "Observed phone stored on food container. Personal items and should be kept in designated areas.”

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Restaurant inspections: Richmond, Columbia counties by the numbers