Roaches, dirty ice machines & more in Myrtle Beach, SC area restaurants with worst inspections

South Carolina Department of Agriculture inspectors observed roaches, grime and soiled surfaces in ice machines in Myrtle Beach-area restaurants recently.

The department is responsible for regularly inspecting the health and safety of retail food establishments in the state. Here are the lowest scores reported in Horry and Georgetown County from Aug. 15 to Aug. 22, the date with the most recently available inspection reports.

Yihi Japan

2000 Coastal Grand Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Score: 71

A routine inspection at Yihi Japan on Aug. 19 found several violations, including soiled surfaces in the ice machine, ready-to-eat chicken tempura stored with open boxes of raw chicken, chicken tempura and egg rolls held at temperatures that were too low, and noodles, shrimp, beef and raw chicken stored at temperatures that were too high.

Inspectors also observed open pans of food stored under wire shelving in a walk-in refrigerator, food stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer, sanitizer with unsafe levels of chlorine, utensils without handles used to scoop food and an employee smoking or vaping in the food prep area. A follow-up inspection was scheduled for Aug. 29.

Altoque Catrachos Restaurant

4505 Socastee Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

Score: 78

A routine inspection of Altoque Catrachos Restaurant on Aug. 21 observed a roach on a kitchen wall, rice and beans that hadn’t been properly cooled and grease accumulated around a grease trap.

The report also says ice was being served from a cooler and not properly drained and the restaurant lacked hot water. A follow-up inspection will be conducted on Aug. 31.

Kobe Express

10799 Highway 707, Unit 13, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

Score: 78

An August 20 routine inspection of Kobe Express noted several violations. An employee with a bandage on their finger was observed prepping food without gloves, sushi rice in a rice cooker wasn’t at the required temperature, sushi was improperly thawed and food was stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer.

There were also accumulations of debris, grease and grime around the kitchen, including under a rice cooker, below a warming table, under a fryer and on a food cart. There will be a follow-up inspection on Aug. 30.

Sadashiv One LLC

2921 Highway 701 North, Conway, SC 29526

Score: 79

A routine inspection at Sadashiv One LLC on Aug. 20 found several violations, including raw chicken stored above the required temperature, biscuits left out in an uncovered pan and food and to-go containers stored on the floor.

The inspection also found accumulations of debris, dust, grease and grime around the kitchen, including in ventilation hood filters, inside a prep cooler and on countertops. A follow-up inspection is scheduled for Aug. 30.