Expired stew, black grime & more: the worst restaurant violations around Myrtle Beach, SC
The latest South Carolina Department of Agriculture restaurant inspections in Horry and Georgetown County found expired meat stew, unsafe food temperatures, black build-up and more.
In general, SCDA 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.
Of the 66 restaurant inspections conducted in Horry and Georgetown County between April 4 and April 8, SCDA gave four restaurants B grades and one restaurant a C grade. All five establishments scored below 88 points. Here’s what inspectors found.
3839 Socastee Blvd., Unit C, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Score: 71
At a routine inspection of Mi Mexico in Socastee on April 4, the inspector observed meat stews past their marked expiration dates, foods like cheese and deli meat without dates marked, ready-to-eat pork stew held at an insufficiently hot temperature, pans of raw chicken stored under raw beef and salsa and chicken stored at inadequately cold temperatures.
Other violations included improperly cooled salsa, “black build-up” on cutting boards, dishes that weren’t sanitized after washing and a meat saw which wasn’t cleaned at least once every four hours. The inspection report also noted a dirty bakery sink, hood filters broken and missing, carbon build-up on the sides of the flat grill and accumulations of debris on plastic trays and the floor.
A follow-up inspection was required on or before April 14, but no subsequent report is yet publicly available.
100 Wood St., Georgetown, SC 29440
Score: 78
In response to a complaint, SCDA conducted a routine inspection of Between the Antlers on April 5. The inspector observed oysters without sale dates marked on tags kept out of chronological order, a lack of soap and paper towels at multiple sinks, boxes of food stored on the floor of the walk-in freezer and tuna thawing in its vacuum-sealed packaging, which is a botulism risk.
The report also noted dishwashing issues, as the dishwasher had no chemical sanitizer and an inaccurate temperature gauge, and the facility didn’t have a plate thermometer. Other violations included deep grooves in cutting boards, debris accumulation on the floors and exterior of “all cooking equipment” on the cookline and warewash area, as well as exterior kitchen doors that weren’t tightly sealed, which SCDA considers a risk for rodents and insects.
A follow-up inspection was to be performed on or before April 15, but a report hasn’t been made publicly available.
4979 Socastee Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Score: 80
At an April 8 routine inspection of El Chepo Taqueria in Socastee, oyster tags weren’t marked with sales dates or maintained in order of sale, foods like shrimp ceviche and raw sausage were stored at insufficiently cold temperatures, open foods were stored in plastic grocery bags and staff served ice from a cooler that wasn’t properly drained.
Other violations included uncovered food pans stacked in a refrigerator, grime built up on a can opener blade and a lack of hot water at sinks throughout the facility. According to the inspector’s notes, the priority violations may be referred to the enforcement division.
A follow-up inspection is to be performed by April 18.
7300 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Score: 82
A routine inspection of Due South on April 8 found several violations, including ready-to-eat foods like cooked sausages and deli ham without dates properly marked to ensure safe consumption, eggs and butter stored at insufficiently cold temperatures and boxes of single-use cups and containers stored on the floor.
The inspection report also notes that the dishwasher had no chemical sanitizer, staff couldn’t verify that the dishwasher sanitized dishes with hot water, there was an accumulation of grease on the floor and the back door didn’t close tightly to prevent contamination from rodents and insects.
According to the inspector’s notes, a follow-up inspection will be conducted on or before April 18.
603 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Score: 85
At a routine inspection of the 5 de Mayo Mexican Restaurant food truck on April 4, there was no certified food handler, the inspector couldn’t verify the certified food protection manager certification, staff didn’t have a food thermometer and the door was propped open during operation, which SCDA considers a risk for rodents and insects.
The inspector also observed that the only cooler wasn’t working to maintain adequate refrigeration and foods like raw beef and chicken were stored at insufficiently cold temperatures. According to the inspection report, 5 de Mayo voluntarily closed because of the lack of refrigeration.
A follow-up inspection was required on or before April 14, but no report is yet publicly available.
This story was originally published April 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM.