9 Beaufort Co. businesses given ‘B’ and one ‘C’ in March health inspections. What reports said
Ten Beaufort County food businesses were cited with grades below an “A” in routine health inspections in March by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control:
Cheap Seats Tavern 2, 142A Burnt Church Road in Bluffton, scored an 80% (B) in a routine inspection on March 9. Among the issues noted: Employee not using gloves properly, lack of chlorine in the chemical dish machine, food holding temperature issues, pizza by the slice not time-stamped, and dough pans stored on top of a trash can.
The restaurant was reinspected on March 16 and scored a 100% (A).
Circle K #5386, 114 Sea Island Parkway in Beaufort, was inspected three times in March. It had scored an 85% (B) in a February inspection because of evidence of rodent activity, among other issues. It was reinspected March 10, March 20 and March 30 and still had its B rating at the end of the month.
The store agreed to voluntarily stop selling prepared food and drinks and packaged convenience foods to focus on cleaning and pest control.
Fuji Yama, 48 Burnt Church Road, Suite DE in Bluffton, scored a 73% (C) in a routine inspection on March 23. Among the issues noted: The person in charge does not have a food-handlers certificate, hand-washing violation, escolar labeled as white tuna on menu, raw shrimp and steak stored above ready-to-eat sauces, rice holding temperature too low, evidence of rodents and insects, bagged onions and open containers of sauces stored on the floor, plastic cups without handles in food bins in dry storage area, equipment in poor condition, and an accumulation of grease, grit and grime on all non-food contact surfaces throughout the facility.
The restaurant had not been reinspected by publication time.
Grand Hilton Head Inn, 36 S. Forest Beach Drive on Hilton Head, scored an 86% (B) in a routine inspection on March 10. Among the issues noted: No paper towels at the hand washing station, unlabeled chemical spray bottles and residential pesticide stored under the hand-washing station, evidence of rodent activity in several areas, facility maintenance issues and dirty floors in the back storage room.
The hotel was reinspected on March 20 and scored a 100% (A).
Hilton Garden Inn, 1575 Fording Island Road in Bluffton, scored an 84% (B) in a routine inspection on March 23. Among the issues noted: Rear hand-washing sink without soap or paper towels, spoiled produce in the cooler, problems with the temperature and pressure of the warewashing machine, and food held at an improper temperature and past the discard date.
The hotel was reinspected on March 24 and scored a 100% (A).
La Nopolera, 5 Sams Point Road in Beaufort, scored an 85% (B) in a routine inspection on March 13. Among the issues noted: The person in charge does not have a food-handlers certificate, food holding temperature issues in several areas, ingredients not labeled, chicken wings and beef cubes stored in a way that could lead to contamination, and surfaces and equipment in need of cleaning and repair.
The restaurant was reinspected on March 16 and scored a 93%. Even though that normally would merit an A grade, the restaurant was given a B because a prep unit cooler was not holding food at a low enough temperature. The facility will discontinue use of the cooler until it is replaced or repaired.
The restaurant was reinspected on March 27 and scored a 98% (A).
La Tampiquena Mexican Restaurant, 4376 Bluffton Parkway, Suite 201, in Bluffton, scored an 82% (B) in a routine inspection on March 1. Among the issues noted: The person in charge does not have a food-handlers certificate, food being thawed and prepped in an unclean sink, food holding temperature issues, items in cooler without dates, dry goods stored without labels on the containers, soiled wiping cloths stored improperly, and a dishwasher in need of cleaning.
The store was reinspected on March 9 and scored a 100% (A).
Old Bull Tavern, 205 West St. in Beaufort, scored an 83% (B) in a routine inspection on March 24. Among the issues noted: Food holding temperature issues; fruit flies in the bar area; in-use kitchen knives stored in sanitizer water; broken and unclean containers, utensils, liquor bottles and shelves; and cleaning and repairs needed in multiple areas, including the mechanical dishwasher.
The store was reinspected on March 28 and scored a 100% (A).
Taqueira Las Abuelitas, a food truck listed under the address 20 Sable Drive, Suite 2, in Bluffton, scored a 96% in a follow-up inspection on March 6. Even though that normally would merit an A grade, the business was given a B because of violations that had not been remedied after a February inspection. Among the issues noted: A hose attached to a water spigot without back flow prevention, and grease and water dumped on the ground.
The business was reinspected on March 16 and scored a 100% (A).
The Foolish Frog Three, 846 Sea Island Parkway on St. Helena, scored an 81% (B) in a routine inspection on March 29. Among the issues noted: Employee hand-washing violation and lack of soap and paper towels at the hand-washing sink, in-use pans with heavy carbon buildup and leftover food residue, unclean cooking equipment and utensils stored with clean equipment and utensils, chemicals stored near food items, improper thawing of fish, evidence of rodents, and other kitchen facility and equipment maintenance and cleaning issues, including unclean floors and ceilings.
The restaurant was reinspected on April 7 and scored a 95% (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 March, DHEC recorded 196 inspections of restaurants, schools, stores and other food establishments in Beaufort County. The agency publishes the results of health inspections on its website.
Newer food grade decals will include a QR code that customers can scan with their phones to see the food establishment’s latest report.
Below are the SC DHEC restaurant grades in Beaufort County from March 1-31, 2023.
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 April 13, 2023 at 9:27 AM.
