Learn why these 2 Myrtle Beach area restaurants did not earn an “A” grade

Have you ever wondered what those blue letter stickers mean on restaurant doors and how they are determined?

Want to know a little more about how restaurants are inspected by DHEC (Department of Health and Environmental Control) in South Carolina?

What do restaurant grades mean?

In South Carolina, restaurants are scored on a scale of 1 to 100 based on how well they meet certain food safety standards. The number grades are then translated into the letter you see posted outside a restaurant’s door. Every food establishment, from school cafeterias to grocery store delis and restaurants, are rated by DHEC inspectors using this scale.

There are 56 items that are checked on a Retail Food Establishment Inspection Report which determine the Foodborne Illness Risk Factors & Interventions and Good Retail Practices.

Risk based inspections

Each score is a snapshot in time based on how a retail food establishment handles the five major risk factors related to employee behaviors and preparation practices.

These five major risk factors are:

• Food Contact Equipment Cleanliness - Did the inspector see build up on equipment that comes into contact with food?
• Cooking Temperatures - Are foods being cooked or heated to temperatures within a safe range?
• Employee Health - Does the facility have a plan in place to require employees who are sick to stay home?
• Food Sources - Can the facility prove where all foods are coming from and are they coming from approved sources? (an exception would be raw, unprocessed produce from small farms, produce stands or farmers markets)
• Food Holding Temperatures - Were the foods maintained at safe hot or cold holding temperatures?

This week (Feb. 13 - Feb. 17) in the Myrtle Beach area two restaurants did not score enough points to earn an “A” score according to the SC Food Grades Report:

1. Chicago Pizza, 665 U.S. 17 S., Surfside Beach had a routine inspection on Feb. 14 and scored a “B” 83 percent. The following was observed: a mixer, stored as clean, soiled with food debris, a dough flattener machine, stored as clean, soiled with food debris, a slicer, stored as clean, soiled with food debris. Ready to eat foods, prepared and held beyond 24 hours, without any date marking. Walk-in cooler: cooked chicken wings, cooked pasta items are from several days ago. Kitchen tile flooring in need of repair, range top hood damaged, missing light bulbs. A follow-up inspection will be performed within 10 days.

2. La Olanchana,, 4245 Socastee Blvd., Myrtle Beach had a routine inspection on Feb. 13 and scored a “B” 82 percent. The following was observed: paper towels not available at hand sink, observed cold foods in walk-in cooler not covered, observed chicken thawing in sink without running water and later with hot running water, small roach observed at hand sink, top of stove has heavy food residue , shelving had heavy grease and ingredient build-up, damaged floor and ceiling tiles in food preparation areas. A follow-up inspection will be performed within 10 days.