Rodent droppings, ice machine grime & more: Latest worst Myrtle Beach restaurant inspections
In the most recent health and safety inspections around the Myrtle Beach area, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture observed rodent droppings, files and black and pink buildup in an ice machine in restaurants around 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 258 restaurant inspections conducted in Horry and Georgetown County between Sept. 6 and Sept. 18, SCDA gave eight facilities B grades and one facility a C grade. However, only three of those establishments actually scored below 88 points. Here’s what inspectors found.
1101 Church St., Conway, SC 29526
Score: 79
At a routine inspection of Taqueria Las Comadres #2 on Sept. 9, there was dried food matter left on food pans and containers, employees didn’t wash their hands when changing tasks or before putting on gloves, the hand sink didn’t have soap or paper towels, no one present had a minimum food handler certificate, foods like cheese and hot dogs were at insufficiently cold temperatures and refrigerated ready-to-eat foods didn’t have dates marked for safe consumption.
The inspector observed multiple flies, service windows that didn’t close tightly and the back door kept open during operation, which the SCDA considers a risk for rodents and insects. There was also grime, food debris and grease on the floors, walls, shelves, equipment and inside the refrigeration units. The inspection report notes the food truck didn’t keep the water heater on while operating or return daily to wash, rinse and sanitize.
However, in a follow-up inspection on Sept. 18, Taqueria Las Comrades #2 scored 93 points. A subsequent inspection for the other violations is to be conducted on or before Sept. 26.
1399 S. Commons Dr., Unit A2, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Score: 80
In a routine inspection of Chopsticks on Sept. 16, the inspector observed black buildup on a cutting board, an employee washing dishes and working with food without washing their hands between tasks, items stored in the prep area hand sink and an employee washing their hands in a mop sink without using soap or paper towels.
According to the inspection report, cutting boards used to prepare raw chicken were washed but not sanitized, boxes and pans of food were stored on the floor of a walk-in cooler and freezer, the garlic and oil mixture at the cook line didn’t have a discard time for safe consumption, a soiled inverted milk crate was used for shelving and there was a buildup of grease and grime on the wok oven and smoker. A follow-up inspection is to be conducted on or before Sept. 26.
702 Highway 544, Conway, SC 29526
Score: 82
A routine inspection of Crooked Floor Tavern on Sept. 16 found rodent droppings in the kitchen, black and pink buildup in the ice machine, fryers left uncovered after the previous night’s use, liquor bottles stored less than six inches off the ground and to-go containers that weren’t inverted to prevent contamination.
The inspector also observed the only hand sink in the kitchen leaking into a bus pan, no hand sink at the outside bar, floors and ceilings made of materials that can’t be easily cleaned and debris throughout the facility. A follow-up inspection is to be conducted on or before Sept. 26.