Moldy food, black grime & more in latest worst Myrtle Beach, SC area restaurant inspections
The latest round of restaurant inspections by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture found moldy food, out-of-date foods and more.
SCDA generally gives restaurants scoring between 88 and 100 points A grades, restaurants scoring 78-87 points B grades and restaurants scoring 77 points or fewer C grades. However, the department sometimes lowers grades for restaurants that have consecutive violations, are under enforcement action or are under pending enforcement actions, including imminent health hazards, permit suspensions or permit revocations.
In its most recent round of restaurant inspections in Georgetown and Horry County, SCDA gave three restaurants B grades and one restaurant a C grade. However, only three restaurants actually scored below 88 points. Here’s what inspectors found.
4807 Highway 17 Bypass S., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Score: 78
At a routine inspection of Klocker’s Tavern on Nov. 20, dates marked on foods like open hot dogs, mushrooms and dressing indicated the foods were more than a week old. Other violations included foods like raw chicken and hot dogs stored at insufficiently cold temperatures and an employee’s open personal drink stored in an ice bin used for mixed drinks.
In addition to exposed utility lines and damaged walls, the report noted sanitation issues, including black build up of grease and grime on kitchen floors and “absorbent” wood that can’t be easily cleaned used for shelving and supports. A follow-up inspection will be conducted on Nov. 30.
3042 Howard Ave., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Score: 80
A Nov. 18 routine inspection of Tupelo Honey Cafe in The Market Common observed several violations, including molding ginger, ready-to-eat foods like fried chicken, pork and open chorizo stored without dates marked for safe consumption and soiled cleaning rags not put in sanitizer between uses.
The inspector also observed build up inside pre-rinse sprayers and on the prep area speed rack, grime on the floors and dish washer temperatures that SCDA doesn’t consider hot enough to adequately sanitize utensils. A follow-up inspection was scheduled for Nov. 28.
6803 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Score: 81
A routine inspection of the Myrtle Beach location of Carrabba’s Italian Grill on Nov. 21 found several violations, including steak left at room temperature, mushroom and butter sauces held at insufficiently hot temperatures and improperly thawed broccoli and garlic sauce.
The inspector also noted that an ice bin used for storage at the bar was, “clogged with standing water and slimy build up,” wet cloths weren’t stored in sanitizer between use and a three-compartment sink was simultaneously used for food prep and dirty dishes.
The report didn’t specify when a follow-up inspection will be performed.