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

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 5 and 11, 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 5 and 11 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

Augusta Burgers Express, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans

Diablo's Southwest Grill, 1022 Walton Way, Ste. B

Explosion Catering, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans

Kinja Sushi Express, 516 Shartom Dr.

Sand Hills Community Center, 2540 Wheeler Rd.

Shane's Rib Shack Mobile Unit 1, 4446 Washington Rd., Ste. 1, Evans

Shannon's, 300 Shartom Dr.

Starbucks Kiosk, 3942 Harper Franklin Ave.

Sticky Fingers Kettle Corn, 7016 Evans Towne Center Blvd., Evans

Surrey Center Pharmacy, 483 Highland Ave.

Suz Lounge, 3523 Deans Bridge Rd., Ste. A

Suz Lounge 2.0, 3253 Deans Bridge Rd., Ste B

The Executive Club, 1004 Azalea Dr.

The Foundation Club, 1006 Azalea Dr.

The Lodge, 1006 Magnolia Dr.

Whiskey Bar Kitchen , 1048 Broad St.

So close

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between April 5 and 11 with scores of 99, posting just one health violation. Inspectors’ comments are included:

Dairy Queen, 4099 Jimmy Dyess Pkwy.

Inspector's comments: "Observed handle on walk-in freezer broken, made note of it on last inspection. Have handle replaced/repaired."

Laziza Catering, 1030 Reynolds St.

Inspector's comments: "Observed dishes stacked wet. Allow dishes to properly air dry prior to stacking."

Past due: Columbia County restaurant had plenty of food; how much had expired?

Getting warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between April 5 and 11, followed by their scores:

Holiday Inn Express Fort Gordon, 4087 Jimmie Dyess Pkwy.: 97

Deer Chase Elementary School, 1780 Deer Chase Ln., Hephzibah: 97

Knuckle Sandwiches, 1149 Broad St.: 96

Big Mama's Soulfood, 2803 Wrightsboro Rd.: 95

Subway 62644, 724 Laney Walker Ext.: 94

Domino's Pizza, 46 13th St.: 92

Barwest Martini Lounge, 3631 Walton Way Ext.: 92

Not quite done

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between April 5 and 11, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

Wingstop, 2803 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. 31: 89

Inspector's comments: "Observed multiple employees not having signed health agreements. Have all employees and future employess sign health agreement. Correct on-site."

"Observed food being prepped/washed in the three compartment sink. Have food prepped/washed in a desginated prep sink."

"Observed handle of utensil resting in food withing the prep cooler. Ensure handles of utensils stay out of food. Repeat violation."

"Observed standing water on the floor. Observed drink machine has build-up on it. Repeat violation. Fix leak/drainage. Clean drink machine."

Waffle House, 708 E. Robinson Ave., Grovetown: 87

Inspector's comments: "Observed one employee had not signed an employee health agreement. Ensure all employees sign a health agreement."

"Observed cheese in prep top cooler holding at a temp of 46 F. Close prep top cooler after each use to maintain a temperature below 41 F.”

Tavern on the Trail, 470 Bartram Trail Club Dr., Evans: 83

Inspector's comments: "Observed dicer with built-up debris; debris is not just from today. Routinely clean dicer."

"Observed dishwasher not temping properly (minimum 120 degrees), unable to test for sanitizer to get accurate reading. Get test strips, discontinue use of dishwasher until working properly meeting minimum wash temperature of 120 degrees."

"Observed multiple food items not hot holding at 135 degrees or above. Ensure food items hot holding are 135 degrees or above, discard or reheat/cook."

"Observed box of potatoes sitting on top of open trash can. To prevent contamination, place food item on prep table or dry storage."

"Observed test strips not present in kitchen for three-compartment sink or dishwasher. Get test strips, keep at all times."

"Observed cleaning needed on kitchen equipment and hood vents. Routinely clean items."

Little Caesars, 1631 Gordon Hwy.: 81

Inspector's comments: "Observed handwashing sink blocked. Ensure that handwashing facilities are accessible at all times."

"Observed no vomiting and diarrheal events cleanup kit or procedures. Acquire kit and/or post procedures. Repeat violation."

"Observed food (pizza sauce) stored on floor. No food should be stored on the floor."

"Observed previous inspection not posted. Previous inspection must always be posted. Repeat violation."

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

"Observed no drain plug in dumpster. Acquire ASAP."

Texas Roadhouse, 107 Sherwood Dr.: 78

Inspector's comments: "Observed several employee drink cans scattered across kitchen food contact surfaces. Repeat violation. Designate area for employee drinks and ensure all drinks have a lid and straw if necessary."

"Observed pickles, ham base, and soup base stored uncovered in reach-in cooler. Observed hot dogs stored uncovered in RIC on grill prep line. Cover all food in storage."

"Observed area where meat is breaded with caked up flour and blood from proteins. Observed cooler for dispensing lettuce with brown build up. Clean food contact surfaces regularly."

"Observed cheese and tomatoes cold holding at 60 degrees F and 53 degrees F respectively. Cold hold food at 41 degrees F or lower."

"Observed several soiled wiping cloths left on food contact surfaces throughout kitchen. Place wiping cloths in sanitizer buckets when not in use."

Wife Saver - North Leg, 1510 North Leg: 66

Inspector's comments: "Observed employee prepping foods with bare hands. All employees must wear gloves when preparing time/temperature control for safety foods."

"Observed expired food in walk in cooler 4-9-24. All foods must remain in good condition and discarded if expired."

"Observed food (turkey) stored on floor in freezer. All foods must be stored 6 inches off of the floor."

"Observed food stored (fish) in walk in cooler uncovered. All foods must remain covered to prevent contamination."

"Observed no inspection posted in customer view. Always post most up-to-date inspection in customer view."

"Observed mops stored to dry incorrectly. All mops must be stored to air dry."

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta restaurant posts area's second failed inspection for 2024