Health inspections: Columbia County restaurant had plenty of food; how much had expired?

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 29 and April 4, 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 29 and April 4 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

Augusta Christian Schools, 313 Baston Rd., Martinez

Chicken Fingers, 4108 Evans to Locks Rd., Evans

Cold Stone Creamery 23804, 280 Meridian Dr., Spc. 103, Grovetown

Dave & Buster's, 807 Cabela Dr.

JH Moore BBQ & Catering, 312 Wiltshire Ct., Evans

Metro A Coffee House, 1054 Broad St.

Miller Theater, 708 Broad St.

Slightly Different Frannie Mae's Sweet Treat, 5220 Canterbury Farms Pkwy., Grovetown

Vampire Penguin, 5117 Washington Rd., Ste. 4, Evans

Wicked Good Bites, 4442 Pierwood Way, Evans

So close

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between March 29 and April 4 with scores of 99, posting just one health violation. Inspectors’ comments are included:

Laziza Mediterranean Grill, 901 Broad St.

Inspextor's comments: "Observed scoops stored inside product with handle touching. Store scoops outside of product or in a way that handle is not touching product itself."

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

Checkers 3006, 1720 Walton Way

Inspector's comments: "Keep dumpster lid closed."

Wendy's 2792, 1730 Walton Way

Inspector's comments: "Keep dumpster lid closed."

Bug problem: Cockroaches keep hanging around Augusta Mall food court, many more violations

Getting warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between March 29 and April 4, followed by their scores:

Kono Pizza Augusta, 3114 Wayne Dr., Grovetown: 97

China King, 2803 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. 23: 97

Your Pie, 9592 Bentley Dr., Grovetown: 95

Clean Eatz, 650 Crane Creek Dr., Ste. 504: 93

Bill’s Family Restaurant, 2518 Peach Orchard Rd.: 91

Mei Mei's Dim Sum House, 251 Meridian Dr., Grovetown: 90

Not quite done

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between March 29 and April 4, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

St. John's Towers, 724 Greene St.: 88

Inspector's comments: Inspector's comments: "Observed no employee health reporting agreements on site. Health reporting agreements must remain on site."

"Observed mold build up inside ice machine. Clean immediately and continue cleaning procedures as needed."

"Observed food stored outside of original container with no label. Label all foods stored outside original container."

"Observed dumpster open and no drain plug. Keep dumpster closed when not in use. Obtain drain plug."

Riverfront Pub and Sports, 531 Broad St.: 88

Inspector's comments: "Observed no certified food service manager certificate in facility. Obtain immediately."

"Observed no employee health reporting agreements. Keep on file in establishment."

"Observed food stored uncovered in reach-in freezer. Store all foods covered."

PruittHealth - Richmond, 1227 W. Wheeler Pkwy.: 87

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

"Observed yogurt and pimento cheese past date markings stored in the reach-in-cooler and walk-in-cooler. Monitor date markings and ensure food items are properly discarded."

"Observed boxes of food stored on the floor in the walk-in-freezer. Store all food items at least 6 inches off the floor."

"Observed an employee wearing a bracelet during active food prep. No jewelry can be worn on the wrist or arms during active food prep."

"Observed clean dishes stacked wet. Allow dishes to properly air dry before being stacked."

"Observed the dumpster doors left open. Ensure the dumpster doors remain closed when not in use."

"Observed buildup on several pieces of equipment. Clean all equipment. Increase cleaning frequency."

"Observed mop on the floor. Store mop hanging to air dry."

Jersey Mike's, 4103 Madeline Dr., Ste. 108: 85

Inspector's comments: "Observed no vomit cleaning kit or procedures for vomiting or diarrheal events. Purchase/make vomit cleanup kit and adopt procedures."

"Observed tomatoes, onions and lettuce being held above 41 F. Ensure foods being cold held are staying below 41 F. Have machine maintained and try smaller quantities in each container."

Top China Express, 4497 Columbia Rd., Martinez: 84

Inspector's comments: "Observed a bucket handwashed with warm water only. Wash dishes by using all compartments of three-compartment sink: wash, rinse and sanitize. Rewashed."

"Observed foods in walk-in cooler not dated: cooked shrimp, chicken, egg rolls, etc. Date all cooked foods; example:. 9-20-2023; 9-26-2023."

"Observed raw shrimp thawing in three-compartment sink under no water. Thaw meats in meat sink under running water."

"Observed prep top cooler with containers of sauce on top of raw and ready-to-eat foods. Prevent contamination of foods by storing sauces somewhere else. Sauces were moved."

Circle K/Blimpie 5378, 602 Scott Nixon Memorial Dr.: 79

Inspector's comments: "Observed no employee health reporting agreements. Ensure all employees sign a copy of the agreement. Have available for inspections."

"Observed ham 45 degrees F, cheese 47 F, and lettuce 42 F cold held above 41 F. All cold held foods must be kept at 41 F or below. Adjust thermostats to ensure appropriate temperatures can be maintained."

"Observed peppers and onions past date markings stored in the reach-in-cooler. Monitor date markings and ensure food items are properly discarded."

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

"Observed the dumpster doors left open. Ensure the dumpster doors remain closed when not in use."

"Observed wet mop sitting in mop bucket. Store mop hanging to air dry."

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, 3609 Walton Way Ext.: 75

Inspector's comments: "Observed multiple food items not covered in the server alley area. Store all food items covered."

"Observed buildup on the drink machines in the server alley area. Clean all drink machines. Increase cleaning frequency."

"Observed cheese 53 degrees F, cheese 48 F, and lettuce 43F cold held above 41 F. Ensure foods can be held at 41F or below for cold holding."

"Observed liquid eggs, whipped cream, and carrots passed date markings in the walk-in-cooler. Monitor date markings and ensure items are properly discarded."

"Observed an employee wearing a wristwatch while actively cooking. No jewelry can be worn on arms or wrists during active food prep."

"Observed the scoops improperly stored in flour, pasta, and cheese. Ensure all scoops are properly stored and handles don't touch food."

"Observed clean dishes wet stacked on the drying rack in kitchen. Allow dishes to properly air dry before being stacked."

"Observed buildup on several pieces of equipment throughout the kitchen. Clean all equipment to include in between and around equipment. Increase cleaning frequency."

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Restaurant inspections: Richmond, Columbia eateries post health scores