Inspectors find rodent droppings, yellow ice and more in Myrtle Beach area inspections

Each week inspectors from SC Department of Health and Environmental control perform unannounced routine food safety inspections.

The inspectors check various things, most notably food safety at Myrtle Beach area restaurants, grocery stores, retail meat markets, bakeries, delis, school cafeterias, seafood markets and convenience stores.

When a restaurant is out of compliance in a routine inspection, it is noted on a SC Food Grade report and the establishment has a follow-up inspection within ten days to correct the violations.

The Sun News reached out by phone for comment to Little Caesars Express. “Little Caesars has an “A” on the front door now,” is what the manager on duty informed us.

The Sun News also reached out by phone to Panda in Conway and could not reach anyone for comment.

Inspectors found the following violations at these area establishments for the week’s of April 17- 21 and April 24-28, 2023.

This information is provided by SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

1. Little Caesars Express located at 3482 Belle Terre Blvd., Myrtle Beach, had a routine inspection on April 19 and scored 73 percent a “C” grade. The following violations were noted according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control - SC Food Grade report: “Hand sink observed by pizza prep table, blocked storing sanitizer bucket. Hand sink at the front blocked, storing milk. Pizza pans with baked on food debris, stored with clean pans. Pizzas held for time, marked to be discarded at 11:41 am timestamped 12:05 p.m.) Working containers of food that are not in their original containers and not easily identifiable with a common name - such as oils, flour, herbs, potato flakes, salt, spices and sugar. Most recent pest control invoice not available at inspection. Cases of food observed stored on walk in freezer floor. Soiled wiping cloths observed stored on prep surfaces and not stored inside an approved sanitizer concentration. No sanitizing test strips observed. Self service beverage counter observed with coffee beans and spillage. Creamer splash guards observed with build up.” Little Caesars Express had a follow up inspection on April 27 and scored 97 percent an “A” grade according to the report.
2. Chili Frito located at 4022 River Oaks Dr., Unit-A10, Myrtle Beach had a routine inspection on April 18 and scored 78 percent a “B” grade. The following violations were noted according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control - SC Food Grade Report: “Hand washing Sinks-Minimum Number - Advised PIC that the facility must have at least one sink that is designated and used exclusively for hand washing. Hand sink observed being used to dump bucket water. Containers observed with food debris, put away as clean. Low boy on the cook line: sliced deli ham, hot dogs and cooked pork. Reach in cooler in prep area: cooked chicken wings, cooked beef….all observed not marked with prepped and/or discard dates. Spray bottle of sanitizer observed not stored in their original container not labeled with the common name of the material. Working containers of food that are not in their original containers and not easily identifiable with a common name - such as oils, flour, herbs, potato flakes, salt, spices and sugar. Drain flies observed around prep table, around and sink by the oven and around the bar area. Carafe’s of salsa observed with food debris down in salsa from top shelf. Chemical based sanitizer testing devices not available for testing, had been submerged in water.” Chili Frito had a follow-up inspection on April 27 and scored 98 percent an “A” grade, according to the report.
3. DinoLand Cafe located at 1012 S. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach had a routine inspection on April 19 and scored 80 percent a “B” grade. The following violations were noted according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control - SC Food Grade Report: “PIC does not possess a certified food handler certificate. Refrigerator drawers on cook line/ chicken 49 degrees, shrimp 47 degrees. Cooked chicken wings not marked with date. Raw beef stored over ready to eat foods in reach in cooler on cook line. Excessive grease spillage around grease container. Excessive grease spillage around grease container.” DinoLand had a follow up inspection on April 24 and scored 99 percent an “A” grade, according to the report.
4. E-Z Eats Cafe located at 912 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach had a routine inspection on April 19 and scored 83 percent a “B” grade. The following violations were noted according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control - SC Food Grade Report: “PIC does not possess a CFPM certificate. Yellow buildup observed inside ice machine. Thermometers not present in warmest part of the cooler units. Rodent droppings observed inside cabinets at front window.” E-Z Eats Cafe had a follow-up inspection and scored 96 percent an “A” grade, according to the report.
5. Lobster House located at 5301 S. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach had a routine inspection on April 26 and scored 78 percent a “B” grade. The following violations were noted according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control - SC Food Grade Report. “Observed equipment stored in the hand sink, in the prep area. No paper towels readily available at the hand sink at the bar. Observed molding food in the walk-in cooler. Food thawing at room temperature in the 3-compartment sink. Evidence of rodents. Rodent droppings observed during the inspection. Clean pans stored below a condensation leak.” Lobster House will have a follow up inspection within 10 days, according to the report.
6. Panda located at 3320 4th Ave., Conway had a routine inspection on April 27 and scored 70 percent a “C” grade. The following violations were noted according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control - SC Food Grade Report: “Could not provide written procedure for employee health policy. Employee washing hands in 3 bin sink not using soap and drying hands on pants. Raw plate of ground sausage stored on top of cooked noodles in prep cooler. 3 bin sink not properly washed and sanitized after prepping raw chicken. Boneless chicken stored on speed rack on sheet pans sitting out 79 degrees at 4:07, then placed in bus pans and covered in plastic wrap and placed in walkin cooler 76 F at 4:41 PM. .09 cooling rate doesn’t meet .54 minimum. Equipment being washed and not sanitized. No written procedure or discard times on chicken wings and boneless chicken sitting out on tables 80 F. Raw chicken stored in end compartments of 3 bin sink while equipment being washed in middle compartment.” Panda will have a follow-up inspection within 10 days, according to the report.

“INSPECTION KEY”

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.