Is someone living behind the kitchen? Myrtle Beach area restaurant inspectors find more
Each week the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control visits area grocery stores, mobile food units, retail food establishments and more.
These visits are unannounced routine inspections. Some are follow-up inspections due to low scores in the previous 10 day period, which are also unannounced.
The reason for the inspections are to make sure establishments are in compliance with SC regulations and guidelines.
This information is provided by SC Department of Health and Environmental Control:
“DHEC conducts risk-based inspections on each of approximately 22,000 establishments in the state annually or quarterly, based on an establishment’s food processes and their compliance history.”
“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?
The following had follow-up inspections the week of May 15 -19:
- Manny’s Deli located at 5702-A S. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, had an unannounced routine inspection on May 16 and scored 85 percent ”B” grade. A follow-up inspection was done on May 26 a score of 97 percent and “A” grade was received by Manny’s Deli, according to the SC Food Grade Report.
Popeyes of Myrtle Beach located at 5910 S. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach had an unannounced routine inspection on May 16 and scored 81 percent “B” grade. Popeyes of Myrtle Beach located at 5910 S. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach had a follow-up inspection on May 17 and scored 99 percent “A” grade, according to the SC Food Grade Report.
The following had routine inspections the week of May 22 - 26:
- Abuleo’s Mexican Restaurant located at 740 Coastal Grand Cir., Myrtle Beach had an unannounced routine inspection on May 22 and scored 78 percent “B” grade. Here is what inspectors found, “Supplies stored in the hand sink in the dish area. No paper towels at hand sink behind bar or in employees restroom. The sanitizer concentration level at the mechanical chemical ware washer was measured at less than 50 ppm of chlorine-based sanitizer using chlorine-based test strips provided by the facility. Observed soup/cut tomatoes/lettuce mixture cooling in deep containers in the walk-in cooler. These products did not meet proper cooling rate. Observed accumulation on shelving in the walk-in cooler, a reach-in tabletop cooler at the cook line with soiled surfaces., grease and food debris accumulation on the exterior surfaces of the fryers, soiled floor surfaces below the fryers. Observed soiled floor/wall surfaces around the dish machine.” A follow-up inspection is scheduled to be performed within the next 10 days, according to the SC Food Grade Report.
Fajitas Mexican Restaurant located at 1207 3rd Ave. S., Unit C, Myrtle Beach had an unannounced routine inspection on May 23 and scored 78 percent “B” grade. Here is what inspectors found: “Oyster tags are not being dated when pulled and are not kept in chronological order. Cheese sauce having cooled in the walk in cooler overnight at 58 degrees. Observed cheese sauce and other ready to eat foods in walk in cooler without date marking. Observed roaches in the kitchen. Scoops without handles in bulk food bins. Produce stored less than 6 inches off of walk in cooler floor.” A follow-up inspection is scheduled to be performed within 10 days, according to the SC Food Grade Report.
Saigon Cafe Restaurant located at 1943-A Mr Joe White Ave., Myrtle Beach had an unannounced routine inspection on May 23 and scored 72 percent “C” grade. Here is what inspectors found: “Observed uncovered drink and evidence of smoking in kitchen. Unclean surfaces of food slicer and interior of ice machine, bowl being stored in hand sink. Kitchen - shelf - cabbage wraps being stored 83 degrees. In the kitchen refrigerator, chicken - 52 degrees, beef - 50 degrees, egg casserole - 59 degrees. Observed ready to eat noodles and melon in refrigerator without date marking. Observed back door left open, flies in facility and roaches, food products being stored directly on floor. Grease buildup of sides of cooking equipment. Observed grease accumulation on surfaces of shelves. Observed area in back of kitchen being used as a living area.” A follow-up inspection is scheduled to be performed within 10 days, according to the SC Food Safety Report.
Harry The Hats located at 351 Lake Arrowhead Rd., Myrtle Beach had an unannounced routine inspection on May 24 and scored 80 percent “B” grade. Here is what inspectors found: “Hand towels not available. Mildew build up at ice machine.. Chemical sanitizer at dish machine sanitizing at 0 ppm, checked with test strip provided by facility. Beef and Turkey observed thawing in bin of 3 comp sink at 67 degrees. Thawing must be done in refrigeration or under cold running water. No hanging ambient air thermometer observed in walk in cooler.” A follow-up inspection is scheduled to be performed within 10 days, according to the SC Food Grade 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 10 days of a Routine Inspection that requires follow-up verification.
This story was originally published June 2, 2023 at 10:50 AM.