See why these Myrtle Beach-area spots got the lowest restaurant inspection scores

In the latest round of restaurant inspections, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture found unsafe food temperatures, grime buildup and more in facilities around the Myrtle Beach area.

In general, the 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 457 restaurant inspections conducted in Horry and Georgetown counties between Oct. 2 and Oct. 22, 2025, the SCDA gave 20 facilities B grades and no C grades. However, only seven of those establishments actually scored below 88 points. Here’s what inspectors found.

Santino’s Pizza

5102 Broad St., Loris, SC 29569

Score: 78

In a routine inspection of Santino’s Pizza on Oct. 18, the inspector observed raw eggs stored over ready-to-eat deli meat, pizza sauce and chicken wings at insufficiently cold temperatures, steak held at an insufficiently hot temperature in a crock pot and cheese stored on the floor of the walk-in refrigerator.

Other violations included improperly cooled pizza sauce, a mixer bowl with rust and rough-welded surfaces, clean equipment stored in the hand sink’s splash area, improperly placed hood filters and wet rags stored on prep surfaces, instead of in sanitizer. A follow-up inspection is to be conducted on or before Oct. 28.

Reliance Petroleum / Sugar Bears

Score: 80

5282 Highway 9, Green Sea, SC 29545

A routine inspection of Reliance Petroleum / Sugar Bears on Oct. 2 found ham hocks and chicken salad without dates marked to ensure safe consumption, raw chicken and ham at insufficiently cold temperatures, improperly cooled ham hocks and single-use plates stored on the floor.

The inspection report also notes a new room and equipment was added without notifying the SCDA, the walk-in freezer door was frozen shut, the top of the ice machine was damaged, the cook line walls had an accumulation of grease and the floor of the walk-in beverage refrigerator was dirty.

However, in subsequent inspections on Oct. 10 and 16, the facility scored 96 points and 100 points, respectively.

Slim Chickens

135 Sapwood Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

Score: 80

In response to complaints, the SCDA conducted an inspection of Slim Chickens on Oct. 21. The inspector found a potato slicer with dried food debris, uncooked chicken tenders and cheese at insufficiently cold temperatures, dishes washed with insufficiently hot water and cases of chicken stored on the floor of the walk-in refrigerator.

The inspection report also notes the person in charge didn’t have a food handler certification, the facility had no system for tracking how long fried chicken sat on the cook line and the drive-through window didn’t automatically close or have an air curtain, which the SCDA considers a risk for pests.

Other violations included debris on the drink machine table, ice buildup on the floor of the walk-in freezer, splatter on a door, buildup around a floor drain and standing water on the floor. A follow-up inspection is to be conducted on or before Oct. 31.

Cafe Vincenzo’s

7710 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

Score: 82

At a routine inspection of Cafe Vincenzo’s on Oct. 7, the inspector observed pizzas at the front counter without times marked to ensure safe consumption, cooked pizza dough with marinara held at an insufficiently hot temperature and foods like mozzarella and sausage stored at insufficiently cold temperatures.

The inspection report also notes boxes of single-use articles like pizza boxes and napkins were stored on the floor, a cutting board was melted and damaged, and there was an accumulation of grease and buildup under the fryer. But in a follow-up inspection on Oct. 14, Cafe Vincenzo’s scored 100 points.

Wahoo’s Fish House

3993 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

Score: 85

A routine inspection of Wahoo’s Fish House on Oct. 8 found several violations, including foods like raw meat and cream at insufficiently cold temperatures, prepared foods like crawfish and risotto held for more than 24 hours without dates marked to ensure safe consumption, no soap at multiple sinks and frozen tuna thawed in vacuum-sealed packaging, which is a risk for botulism.

However, in a follow-up inspection on Oct. 13, Wahoo’s Fish House earned a perfect score.

Quality Inn and Suites

210 Church St., Georgetown, SC 29440

Score: 85

At an Oct. 7 routine inspection of Quality Inn and Suites in Georgetown, there was black buildup in a three-compartment sink’s bins and corners, dishes weren’t sanitized after washing and the person in charge didn’t have a food handler certification. Other violations included boxes of cups stored on the floor and waffle mix at an insufficiently cold temperature in the dispenser.

In follow-up subsequent inspections on Oct. 17 and 22, Quality Inn and Suites scored 91 points and 90 points, respectively.

Tokyo Express

250 Highway 17 N., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Score: 87

In a routine inspection of Tokyo Express on Oct. 15, the inspector observed seafood like tuna and eel without dates marked to ensure safe consumption, rice at an insufficiently hot temperature, single-use utensils stored in the hand sink’s splash area and no soap at a hand sink in the prep area. A follow-up inspection is to be conducted on or before Oct. 25.