Myrtle Beach restaurant receives low grade during recent health inspection

Health inspectors gave a Myrtle Beach restaurant a low score Monday due to employees mishandling food and using soiled equipment, according to a state report.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control conducts inspections every month and scores establishments based on their practices.

Thai E-San, on North Kings Highway, scored a 74% or “C” during a routine inspection.

Inspectors deducted points because there was no person in charge at the time of inspection and none of the employees had a food handler certification, according to a DHEC report.

There was an employee observed handling raw meat without washing hands or changing gloves before cleaning bowls in the sink and handling food that was ready to eat.

Inspectors noted a pitcher blocking the hand sink for employees.

Raw food was also stored near ready-to-eat foods in the cooler, according to the report, and an employee was touching sink water and then handling food items using the same gloves.

On multiple occasions, one employee rinsed mixing bowls that contained raw beef or raw chicken, then returned them for use at the cook line. No method of sanitizing the bowls was observed.

Many foods were held longer than 24 hours without a date marking, inspectors reported.

The restaurant’s ice machine was soiled with black slime, and filters at the cook line had a build up of grease, according to inspection notes.

A manager was not immediately available for comment, but The Sun News left a message with an employee.

A follow up inspection will be conducted within 10 days of the initial inspection.