4 Beaufort and Jasper County restaurants with worst SC inspections for February. Here’s why
Three Beaufort County food businesses and one Jasper County business were cited with “B” grades in February’s health inspections by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Here is a rundown of restaurants that received the lowest ratings in February:
Chophouse 119: 28 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head
Chophouse 119 scored 86% (B) on Feb. 13 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:
Observed black organic matter on the dish machine.
Food such as cheese and sour cream was held at the wrong cold temperatures.
The menu does not have a consumer advisory for undercooked raw meats.
The cooler does not stay at the correct temperature for food storage.
Open hood vents in the kitchen had a heavy build-up of grease.
The walk-in cooler did not have the required ceiling lights.
Chophouse 119 was reinspected on Feb. 21 and scored 100% (A).
Dolphin Head Gold Club: 56 High Bluff Road, Hilton Head
Dolphin Head Golf Club scored 79% (B) on Feb. 11 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:
A food handler entered the kitchen from the bar area without gloves or washing hands before food preparation.
The kitchen ice machine had an accumulation of organic matter.
Ready-to-eat foods such as chicken salad, egg salad and chicken sandwiches were held without date marks.
Cases of food were stored on the walk-in freezer floor.
An ice scoop was stored in a dirty bucket.
Single-use cups were stored next to the bar hand sink, making them subject to contamination.
There was a leaking fan in the walk-in cooler and damage to the cooler floor.
The sink and drainboards were not properly sealed and there was a build-up of debris and limescale.
Heavy presence of debris and food residue in the freezer.
The unisex kitchen restroom had the receptacle bin left uncovered.
Holes were seen in the wall, dish area and storage area.
Dolphin Head Golf Club was reinspected on Feb. 21 and scored 100% (A).
Taqueria El Primo: 1271 May River Road, Suite A, Bluffton
Taqueria El Primo scored 85% (B) on Feb. 25 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:
Food like beans and rice were held at incorrect warm holding temperatures.
Ready-to-eat and temperature-controlled foods, including plantains, chicken, sauces and refried beans, did not have date markings.
Rapid cooling processes for beans and other items were done incorrectly.
No food thermometer was available for use.
Bags of onions were stored on the floor.
Wet and soiled wiping cloths were left on prep surfaces throughout the facility.
Floors were heavily soiled.
Taqueria El Primo has not been reinspected as of March 7, but one is required within 10 days.
Bryan’s Country Store: 3522 South Okatie Highway, Hardeeville
Bryan’s Country Store scored 79% (B) on Feb. 11 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:
The handwashing sink was unusable because it was full of dirty dishes.
Cooked chicken, cooked beef and cooked rice were left sitting on the prep table
Ready-to-eat and temperature-controlled food like chicken, rice, pork and beef did not have date marks.
Bleach and other cleaning chemicals were stored on top of clean dishes.
Grill cleaner was stored on top of ready-to-eat foods.
Pans of prepped food were stored on the floor throughout the kitchen. Bulk bags of rice and flour were also stored on the floor.
Cleaning cloths were used to cover ready-to-eat foods.
Bryan’s Country Store was reinspected on Feb. 20 and scored 100% (A).
What the grades mean
Inspectors give restaurants a grade of A, B or C, depending on the conditions found at the time. Points are docked for various infractions, and restaurants have a chance to correct the problems and improve their score in a reinspection.
The grade scale is as follows:
A: 88% to 100%
B: 78% to 87%
C: 77% or less
During February, SCDA recorded 227 inspections of restaurants, schools, stores and other food establishments in Beaufort County and 43 in Jasper County.
The agency publishes the results of these health inspections on its website.
Newer food-grade decals include a QR code that customers can scan with their phones to see a food establishment’s latest report.
This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
