Rat droppings, ice machine slime & more: Latest Myrtle Beach restaurant inspections
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Quigley’s Pint and Plate had 2-month-old coleslaw. The inspector cited the restaurant for improperly marking the slaw because the container label was dated to May 6, but the report didn’t specify when then slaw was made. A representative for the restaurant told The Sun News the coleslaw is made fresh every day or two.
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture found black buildup in an ice machine, an employee touching bagels after handling raw chicken in the latest round of health and safety inspections in the Myrtle Beach area.
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 145 restaurant inspections conducted in Horry and Georgetown County between June 21 and July 3, SCDA gave 10 restaurants B grades and one restaurant a C grade. However, only ten of those establishments actually scored below 88 points. Here’s what inspectors found.
410 E. Brooks Road, Andrews, SC 29510
Score: 78
A routine inspection of Country Corner on Brooks Road on July 7 found that the facility did “extensive remodeling” without notifying SCDA for approval. Issues included open duct work, holes in walls and a missing outlet cover.
The inspector also observed foods like raw burger patties and cheese stored at insufficiently cold temperatures, meats without dates marked for safe consumption, no discard time marked for ready-to-eat fried chicken, no hand soap at the sink, no thermometer to check food temperatures.
According to the inspection report, a waterline was leaking, there was no thermometer to check food temperatures and grease was built up on shelves, cooking equipment, hood filters and floors. In a follow-up inspection on July 16, Country Corner scored 83 points.
11887 Highway 707, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Score: 80
A routine inspection of Quigley’s Pint and Plate on July 7 found “black buildup” in the ice machine, coleslaw in a container dated to May 6, deli meat without dates marked for safe consumption and improperly cooled foods like chili and ribs.
The inspector also observed insufficient sanitizer in the dish washer, condensation in the prep cooler, dust and rust in the air vents, “gray residue” in the beer cooler and accumulations of grease and debris under equipment, along the walls, on floors and on the bar. However, in a follow-up inspection on July 15, Quigley’s earned a perfect score.
5411 Dick Pond Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Score: 78
At a routine inspection of China Wok on July 7, there was no certified food handler present, cooked chicken was stored on lids of raw chicken boxes, fried rice and bok choy sitting out and noodles cooling uncovered in the refrigerator.
The inspector also observed ready-to-eat foods like noodles and pork without dates marked for safe consumption, a knife stored in a crack between a prep table and a cooler, accumulation of debris under the fryers and buildup of grease and grime on hood filters and fryers. In a follow-up inspection on July 14, China Wok scored 100 points.
3886 Highway 701 N., Conway, SC 29526
Score: 81
At a routine inspection of Panthers Express on July 7, the inspector observed an employee touching bagels and putting on gloves to prepare orders after handling raw chicken without washing their hands.
Other violations included insufficiently cold raw chicken in standing water at the sink, improperly cooled turkey wings, a sink that wasn’t cleaned after raw chicken was prepared in it, smoked sausage cut in a hand sink, old food residue on a slicer and grime on a can opener.
The inspector also noted that the facility made changes without approval and had debris and grime on shelves, floors, walls, the grease interceptor and the fryer unit. Panthers Express cleared up most violations for a July 17 follow-up inspection, earning 96 points.
The Javelina Texas Bar and Grill
10785 Highway 707, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Score: 82
At a routine inspection of The Javelina on July 8, there was “slimy black residue” in the ice machine, food residue on the potato slicer blade and foods like brisket and ribs without dates marked for safe consumption.
According to the inspection report, the ice machine wasn’t locked or protected from the elements, fryers were missing covers, the facility didn’t have a mop sink to dispose of dirty water and the self closure on the back door was broken, which SCDA considers a risk for pests. However, in a July 15 follow-up inspection, The Javelina got a perfect score.
4480 Mineola Ave., Little River, SC 29566
Score: 83
A routine inspection of Bottom Feeders on July 11 found several violations, including raw chicken wings left to thaw too long that reached unsafe temperatures, clean utensils stored on a drainboard next to thawing raw chicken and an unclean cutting board surface.
The inspector also observed food products stored on kitchen floors and clean knives stored in cracks between the refrigerator and a countertop. But in a July 18 follow-up inspection, Bottom Feeders scored 100 points.
117 Maryport Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
Score: 83
In response to a complaint, the SCDA inspected New York Pizza on July 8. The inspector observed a two-week-old tray of meatballs, an open bag of sausage without a date marked and ready-to-eat pizza without times noted for safe consumption.
The inspection report notes foods like cheese and chicken were stored at insufficiently cold temperatures and hot water wasn’t working in the facility, though the owner was working with a company to correct the water. In a follow-up inspection on July 15, New York Pizza got a perfect score.
1908 N. Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Score: 84
At a routine inspection of Drunken Parrot on July 9, the inspector observed open hot dogs without dates marked for safe consumption, an employee handling food with bare hands and single-service to-go containers stored on the floor.
According to the inspection report, foods like cheese and raw chicken were stored at insufficiently cold temperatures, sinks were inaccessible because of doors and trash, the screen door was torn and a door was propped open, which the SCDA considers a risk for pests. Drunken Parrot earned an A in a July 18 follow-up inspection with 98 points.
1009 3rd Ave. S., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Score: 86
After receiving a complaint, the SCDA gave the Circle K Store on 3rd Avenue South in Myrtle Beach a score of 85 on June 27. In a follow-up inspection on July 7, the inspector again found several violations.
There were rodent droppings in the back storage room, food stored below motor oil and the person in charge wasn’t food handler certified. The inspector also noted there was no hand soap at multiple sinks and there was buildup and debris on floors throughout the facility. The store corrected most violations in a subsequent inspection on July 16, scoring 97 points.
2208 N. Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Score: 86
At a routine inspection of Snooky’s Oceanfront on July 8 there were “many flies” around the mop sink, foods like oysters and crab meat were stored at insufficiently cold temperatures, cleaning equipment was stored with clean pots and frozen fish was thawed in vacuum-sealed packaging, which is a risk for botulism.
According to the inspection report, the top interior of the ice machine, ladles, cookline equipment, cooler doors, floors and refrigerator gaskets were unclean. Although SCDA assigned Snooky’s Oceanfront a B grade in a July 17 follow-up inspection due to repeat violations, the restaurant scored 95 points.
This story was originally published July 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM.