Dirty utensils, gunky ice machines: The latest worst restaurant inspections in Myrtle Beach area
The latest restaurant inspections by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture found dirty utensils, raw fish stored in contact with ready-to-eat foods, black buildup in an ice machine and more in restaurants around Myrtle Beach. The department is responsible for regularly inspecting the health and safety of retail food establishments in the state.
These were the lowest scores reported in Horry and Georgetown County from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, the date with the most recently available inspection reports.
2011 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Score: 74
A Sept. 4 routine inspection of Angus Steak House found several violations, including soiled surfaces in the ice machine, dirty knives and cutting boards stored as clean utensils and a fly strip installed over a food preparation table.
The inspection report also notes that foods like creme brulee, prime rib and mashed potatoes were stored at unsafe temperatures, ready-to-eat foods weren’t marked with dates, ingredients were being scooped with utensils without handles and boxes of food were stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer. A follow-up inspection is scheduled for Sept. 14.
El Buen Sabor Mexican & Centro
4765 Highway 17 Bypass S., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Score: 78
At a routine inspection of El Buen Sabor Mexican & Centro on Sept. 6, raw fish was stored in contact with ready-to-eat food, beef and chicken were stored at unsafe temperatures and ice was stored in a cooler with no drain. The restaurant also had unapproved outdoor cooking equipment and didn’t have a probe thermometer. A follow-up inspection will be conducted on Sept. 16.
3570 Northgate Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Score: 79
A routine inspection of China Garden on Sept. 5 found foods like dumplings, tempura chicken and chicken wings stored at unsafe temperatures, ready-to-eat foods without marked dates and unclean shelves in a walk-in cooler. Other violations included storing foods like raw pork in containers on the floor, improperly thawing pork and storing prepared onions in re-used drink crates. A follow-up inspection is scheduled for Sept. 15.
2272 Glenns Bay Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
Score: 79
A routine inspection of Island Bar on Sept. 3 found black buildup in the ice machine and foods like tuna, roast beef and pasta salad stored at unsafe temperatures. Inspectors also observed an employee handling raw chicken with gloves on wipe their gloved hands on a towel and change tasks without removing the gloves or washing their hands.
The inspection report notes unclean conditions in the kitchen, including buildup of dust, grime and food splash in preparation areas, on cooking equipment and on shelves. A follow-up inspection will be conducted on Sept. 13.
4979 Socastee Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Score: 82
A routine inspection of El Chepo Taqueria on Sept. 5 found foods like beef, pork and chicken stored at unsafe temperatures, improperly thawed raw beef and fish, and ice served from a cooler that doesn’t properly drain.
Other violations included using wash water that wasn’t hot enough, not stocking soap or paper towels at a kitchen sink and not storing oysters with the required information. A follow-up inspection is scheduled for Sept. 15.
This story was originally published September 13, 2024 at 6:00 AM.