3 Myrtle Beach area restaurants receive ‘B’ scores. Will they have follow-up inspections?

Each week food inspections are done to make sure that food safety practices are being performed correctly in restaurants, grocery stores, and other facilities that serve food to the public.

Whether this is a routine inspection or a follow up inspection the establishment will receive a grade which is displayed at the entrance to the business.

You may ask the question: What determines the grade received in restaurant inspections?

What does Grade A mean in restaurants?

GRADE A: The restaurant is clean, up to code, and free of violations.

GRADE B: The restaurant has some issues that must be fixed.

GRADE C: The restaurant is a public risk and on verge of closure.

Three restaurant’s in the Myrtle Beach area did not receive a high enough score to earn an “A” in routine restaurant inspections recently performed by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Here are the results from the reports:

• “Harry The Hats, 351 Lake Arrowhead Rd., Myrtle Beach had a routine inspection on Jan. 13 and received 80 percent a “B” grade. The following issues were found: ham slices were observed thawing in rinse sink at dish machine. Dirty sink bin can not be used for food thaw or preparation. No paper towels were found at hand sink. Ready to eat cooked meat and ham not date marked. Chicken wings observed in container date of April 2022. A follow-up inspection will be performed within 10 days,” according to the SC Food Grade Report.

• “Inlet Provision Company, 4891 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet had a routine inspection on Jan. 9 and received 85 percent a “B” grade. The following issues were found: improper holding temperatures were observed for ready to eat food: Prep Top Cooler at Fryers / wings 47 degrees, ribs 51 degrees, lobster 47 degrees, raw shrimp 46 degrees, cooked noodles 45 degrees , butter 46 degrees, Bbq 48 degrees and grouper 47 degrees. refrigerated ready to eat food had no dates marked and were past the allowed time frame. A follow-up inspection will be performed within 10 days,” according to the SC Food Grade Report.

• “Smuggler’s Den, 4660 U.S. 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet had a routine inspection on Jan. 10 and received 80 percent a “B” grade. The following issues were found: improper holding temperatures were observed for ready to eat food: sliced cheese 48 degrees, swiss 51 degrees, roast beef 51 degrees, sliced tomatoes 59 degrees, sharp cheddar 50 degrees, cooked chicken 45 degrees, ham 45 degrees. Ready to eat food ribs cooked on Dec. 31 not discarded. Cutting boards with dark stains and food being stored on floor of walk-in cooler. A follow-up inspection will be performed within 10 days,” according to the SC Food Grade Report.

A | 100 - 88 - The retail food establishment earned more than 87 points. Food safety practices appeared to meet the requirements of Regulation 61-25.

B | 87 - 78 - The retail food establishment earned 78-87 points. Food safety practices need improvement.

C | 77 & Below - The retail establishment earned less than 78 points. Food safety practices need significant improvement.

R | Indicates a Routine Inspection - Unannounced and conducted on a frequency determined by the facility’s Risk Category on a frequency of one to four times a year.

F | Indicates a Follow-Up Inspection - Conducted within ten days of a Routine Inspection that requires follow-up verification.

This story was originally published January 21, 2023 at 2:00 AM.