5 Beaufort County restaurants given ‘B’ or ‘C’ grades in November and December inspections
Five Beaufort County food businesses were cited with grades below an A in routine health inspections in November and December by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
▪ Lucky Palace Asian Fusion, at 101-A Commerce Place West in Okatie, scored a 76% (C) in an inspection on Dec. 5. Among the issues inspectors noted were an employee changing tasks from cleaning to cooking without washing hands; raw scallops stored uncovered in an ice bin used for drinks; lack of chlorine sanitizer in the chemical dish machine; cleaning issues related to a cutting board, an in-use knife, the prep unit, the cooler and the ice machine; evidence of active rodent activity; a wet soiled wiping cloth on the food prep board; and a leak under the hand-washing sink.
The restaurant was reinspected on Dec. 13 and scored a 93% but its C grade was left in place because the inspector observed the presence of roaches, a wet soiled wiping cloth on the food prep board, and repairs needed on the dish machine.
The restaurant was inspected for a third time on Dec. 21 and scored a 100% (A).
▪ China Wok, at 350 Shanklin Road Suite 5, scored an 81% (B) in an inspection Nov. 9. Among the issues inspectors noted were an employee with an open personal drink at the food prep counter, lack of proper hand-washing, food cooling issues, a sheet pan of raw chicken stored on top of an open trash can, and grimy hood filters and floors.
The restaurant was reinspected on Nov. 18 and scored a 100% (A).
▪ IHOP, at 11 Towne Drive in Bluffton, scored a 93% (B) in a follow-up inspection Nov. 8. This score typically would have merited an A ranking, but due to continuing issues from a previous inspection, the grade was lowered to a B. The restaurant had previously scored an 88% in an inspection on Nov. 1. Among the continuing issues inspectors noted on Nov. 8 were improper holding temperatures of liquid eggs on the prep line and a buildup of ice on the freezer door.
The restaurant was reinspected on Nov. 16 and scored a 100% (A).
▪ Polanco Modern Mex Kitchen, at 9 Market St. in Beaufort, scored an 85% (B) in an inspection Dec. 2. Among the issues inspectors noted were a hand-washing station without soap or paper towels, rotten produce in the storage room, prepared food stored uncovered in a cooler and fruit flies in the dining room and storage room.
The restaurant was reinspected on Dec. 8 and scored a 100% (A).
▪ Sonesta’s Main Kitchen, at 130 Shipyard Drive on Hilton Head, scored an 81% (B) in an inspection Nov. 8. Among the issues inspectors noted were a the lack of soap and paper towels at the back-bar handwashing sink, the chemical dish machine not operating properly, cooler and freezer food storage issues, and the lack of a sneeze guard on an employee cafeteria line.
The kitchen was reinspected Nov. 14 and scored a 97%. That normally would have received an A rating, but the B grade was posted because the repair to the dish machine had not been completed.
The kitchen was inspected for a third time on Nov. 16 and scored a 100% (A).
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 November and December, DHEC recorded 179 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 Nov. 1-Dec. 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.
