In the latest restaurant inspections by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, inspectors found mold in the ice machine, unwashed hands, raw meat contamination and more.
In general, SCDA gives restaurants scoring between 88 and 100 points A grades, restaurants scoring 78-87 points B grades and restaurants scoring 77 points or fewer C grades.
However, the department sometimes lowers grades for restaurants that have consecutive violations, are under enforcement action or are under pending enforcement actions, including imminent health hazards, permit suspensions or permit revocations.
Of the 208 restaurant inspections conducted in Horry and Georgetown County between March 20 and March 28, SCDA gave six restaurants B grades and two restaurants C grades. Of those establishments, only six actually scored below 88 points. Here’s what inspectors found.
Panda Restaurant
3320 4th Ave., Conway, SC 29527
Score: 77
In response to a complaint, the SCDA conducted an inspection of Panda Restaurant on March 21. According to the inspection report, raw meat was stored over cooked food in the walk-in refrigerator, an employee didn’t properly wash their hands after prepping raw meat and the sink wasn’t washed and sanitized after it was used to prep raw meat.
Other violations included chicken without dates marked to ensure safe consumption, cooked foods like rice and chicken improperly cooled, misidentifiable food stored in unlabeled containers and shelves made of unfinished wood that can’t be adequately cleaned.
The inspector also observed splash and grease on walls, rust on a butcher knife and shelves, an accumulation of dirt and debris on the floor and “excessive build-up of grease” around the grease container. At a follow-up inspection on March 28, Panda Restaurant got a near-perfect score of 99 points.
Big C Hot Dogs and Vending #2
1501 7th Ave., Conway, SC 29526
Score: 80
At a routine inspection of Big C Hot Dogs and Vending on 7th Avenue in Conway on March 25, the mobile truck didn’t have water, employees couldn’t wash their hands and cole slaw was stored at an insufficient temperature.
The inspection report also notes single-use containers stored less than 6 inches off the floor, improperly thawed chili, utensils stored in inadequately hot water and the screen left open when staff wasn’t taking orders. According to the inspector’s comments, Big C can’t reopen until an inspector clears it for repairs. A follow-up inspection is scheduled for April 4.
Sadashiv One LLC
2921 Highway 701 N., Conway, SC 29526
Score: 81
A routine inspection of Sadashiv One on March 25 found several violations, including mold in the ice machine, foods like raw fish and chili stored at insufficiently cold temperatures, racks of bread stored on the floor, and ground beef and ready-to-eat ham stored in the same container.
The inspector also noted there was no certified food protection manager present, foods in the hot holding display case weren’t marked with times to ensure safe consumption, and there were accumulations of grease, grime and debris inside the prep cooler, in a cabinet and on cooking equipment, shelves and floors.
A follow-up inspection is scheduled for April 4.
Shawarma’s King
715 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Score: 83
At a March 25 routine inspection of Shawarma’s King in downtown Myrtle Beach, there was no certified food protection manager present, raw meat was placed on spits intermingling with cooked meat and meats weren’t continuously cooked per department regulations.
The inspection report also notes ready-to-eat foods like cooked meat and tzatziki weren’t marked with dates for safe consumption, wet towels weren’t submerged in sanitizer between uses, chemical spray bottles weren’t labeled and test strips for sanitizers weren’t available. A follow-up inspection is scheduled for April 4.
Donnie’s Grill
915 Bucksport Road, Conway, SC 29527
Score: 85
An inspection of Donnie’s Grill in Conway on March 20 found several violations, including foods like raw shrimp and milk stored at insufficiently cold temperatures, no certified food protection manager present and no soap or paper towels at sinks in the kitchen, bar or bathroom.
The inspector also observed the kitchen door to the outside propped open with screens or fly fans to keep out insects and grease leaking from the range, accumulations of grease, grime and debris on shelves, equipment and walls. According to the inspection report, there were trash bags and litter on the ground outside, and an employee said a “dog got into trash bags and their trash can was stolen.”
Most issues remained at a follow-up inspection on March 27, but the garbage violations had been corrected. The inspector’s comments require a subsequent inspection conducted on or before April 4, but no report is publicly available yet.
According to the comments, an application and fees for a change in ownership must be submitted by April 4, or the department will close Donnie’s Grill.
Moe’s Original BBQ
6108 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Score: 85
At a routine inspection of Moe’s Original BBQ in Myrtle Beach on March 24, the inspector observed fly strips hanging over food, the window left open without a fly fan, cole slaw without times marked for safe consumption and single-service cups stored on the floor.
According to the inspection report, food and coffee filters were stored under sink plumbing, flour was stored in an unlabeled container and floors throughout the facility had an accumulation of grease. The inspector’s comments require an inspection on or before April 3, but no report is yet publicly available.
MS
The Sun News
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Maria Elena Scott writes about trending topics and what you need to know in the Grand Strand. She studied journalism at the University of Houston and covered Cleveland news before coming to the Palmetto State.