4 restaurants in Beaufort County given ‘B’ or ‘C’ grades in October health inspections by DHEC
Four Beaufort County restaurants were cited with grades below an A in routine health inspections in September by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
- Ela’s, at 1 Shelter Cove Lane on Hilton Head Island, scored an 86% (B) in an inspection on Oct. 12. Inspectors cited food temperature issues, the lack of a food date marking system and problems with insects in the kitchen and storage room. The restaurant was reinspected on Oct. 20 and scored a 100% (A).
- Red Rooster Cafe, 2045 Boundary St. in Beaufort, scored an 83% (B) in an inspection on Oct. 4. Inspectors cited the lack of a food date marking system, cleaning and first aid supplies stored with food, the back door propped open, evidence of recent rodent activity, food preparation equipment in poor condition and unclean floors. The restaurant was reinspected on Oct. 14 and scored a 98% (A).
- Roadhouse Ribs, 7 Toppers Lane in Port Royal, scored a 78% (B) in an inspection on Oct. 13. Inspectors cited the temperature of the handwashing sink and dishwasher, temperature issues with a reach-in cooler, knife and ice machine sanitation, food held past the date for discarding, garbage receptacle unclean and overflowing, maintenance issues outside and the outdoor smoke grill not properly enclosed. The restaurant was reinspected on Oct. 21 and scored a 94%.
Even though that would normally mean an A rating, Roadhouse Ribs was made to keep a B rating until another follow-up inspection. A note from the inspector said the restaurant had ordered a new hot water heater and was boiling water to wash dishes in the meantime.
- Wild Wing Cafe, at 72 Pope Ave. on Hilton Head, scored a 78% (B) on Oct. 25. Inspectors cited food temperature issues, sanitizers without labels and improperly stored, problems with the mechanical dishwasher, cutting boards in poor condition, cabinet doors in the prep area falling off, a handle to the reach-in cooler broken, a leak under a sink, and an unclean prep area and ware washing area. The restaurant was reinspected on Oct. 28 and scored a 92%.
Even though that would normally mean an A rating, Wild Wing Cafe was given a C rating. Inspectors cited some previously noted violations, including the broken freezer handle, unclean prep area and ware washing area, and the leak under a sink. In addition, inspectors found water not hot enough in multiple sinks. A third inspection on Oct. 31 resulted in a score of 98%, but the restaurant was made to keep its C rating until another follow-up inspection. A note from the inspector says the restaurant was without gas and voluntarily closed until gas service could be restored for cooking and the hot water heater.
Phone calls to Wild Wing Cafe this week were not answered.
What the grades mean
Inspectors hand out a grade of A, B or C, depending on the conditions found at the time. Points are docked for a variety of infractions, and restaurants have a chance to correct the problems and improve their score.
- A: 88% to 100%
- B: 78% to 87%
- C: 77% or less
During October, DHEC recorded 191 inspections of restaurants, schools, grocery stores and other food establishments in Beaufort County. The agency publishes the results of health inspections on its website.
Below are the SC DHEC restaurant grades in Beaufort County from Oct. 1-31, 2022.
At the top left of the chart, there is a space to search for the name of a restaurant. Please note that this month’s inspections take up two pages. Switch to page 2 at the top right.
This story was originally published November 2, 2022 at 1:33 PM.
