Black gunk, rats & mold: A roundup of the worst restaurant inspections in Beaufort County in March
Six Beaufort County food businesses were cited with “B” and “C” grades in March’s health inspections by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Here is a rundown of the restaurants that received the lowest ratings in March:
Annie O’s Restaurant: 124 Arrow Road
Annie O’s scored 91% (B) on March 13 in a follow-up inspection from March 5. Issues noted by inspectors included:
Chlorine test strips for the dish machine were not available.
Rodent traps were left uncovered at the back walls of the kitchen.
Rodent droppings were found throughout the kitchen and dish areas.
Annie O’s was reinspected again on March 21 and scored 100% (A).
Brays Island Golf Club: 1 Bryans Ferry Place
Brays Island Golf Club scored 82% (B) on March 26 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:
The dishwasher mechanics for hot water were not adequately cleaned or sanitized.
Food surfaces and utensils were not cleaned frequently.
Foods such as cheese, tomatoes and meats were stored at incorrect temperatures.
Foods such as onion, shrimp and relish were being stored past the date mark.
Lunch and dinner menus do not have a raw and undercooked meat warning label.
Raw bacon was stored and cooked without a best by date.
Items including pickles, soups and sundried tomatoes did not have correct packing and handling.
Raw fish was not removed from the package before being thawed.
The food cooler was damaged and cannot keep correct cold temperatures.
Brays Island Golf Club has not been reinspected as of April 1, but one is required within 10 days.
El Super: 33 Sherrington Drive
El Super scored 85% (B) on March 6 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:
The line handwash sink did not have warm enough water for handwashing.
The cooler was used to store and dispense beverage ice.
The cooler had a build-up of organic matter and debris.
No date marking system was in place.
Ready-to-eat foods like rice, beans, shrimp and sauces had no date markings.
No food temperature thermometer was available.
Soiled clothes were seen on the food prep tables and surfaces.
Food was handled without first washing hands.
Line equipment had a build-up of food debris and grease.
Bowls were being used as food scoops for ready-to-eat items.
El Super was reinspected on March 14 and scored 100% (A).
Golf Club at Indigo Run: 101 Berwick Drive
The Golf Club at Indigo Run scored 83% (B) on March 5 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:
Foods like tomatoes and berries were degrading and had white organic growth.
The facility did not date best buy and sell by tags for shellfish products and tags.
Sauces were held at incorrect warm temperatures.
Cheeses, eggs, chicken and vegetables were stored at incorrect cold temperatures.
House-made sauces were left stored for more than seven days.
Some meat items were served undercooked, with no warning label available on menus.
Ribs, beef and tuna were packaged and stored incorrectly.
The Golf Club at Indigo Run was reinspected on March 7 and scored 100% (A).
La Mexicana: 21 Simmonsville Road, Suite A
La Mexicana scored 80% (B) on March 13 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:
Beef and pork were stored in the freezer with no packaging.
Utensils and bowls were not cleaned thoroughly.
Pork, ham, chicken and eggs were stored at incorrect cold temperatures.
A date-marking system was not in place for ready-to-eat food items.
No food thermometer was available.
House-made salsa for sale was not labeled correctly.
Knives were stored between cooking equipment and a wall.
Sanitizing materials and food surfaces were not cleaned or used correctly.
Freezers had a build-up of food debris.
Trash and garbage area was not maintained.
La Mexicana was reinspected on March 20 and scored 97% (A), but a follow-up from this inspection is required within 10 days due to some food items being held at incorrect temperatures.
Marriot Surfwatch: 10 Surfwatch Way
Marriot Surfwatch scored a 98% but earned a B grade on March 24 in a follow-up inspection. The initial inspection was held on March 14, where Surfwatch scored a 98% (A).
Repeated issues noted by inspectors that earned a grade letter decrease include:
The line handwash sink did not have warm enough water for handwashing.
Marriot Surfwatch has not been reinspected as of April 1, but one is required within 10 days.
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
In March, the SCDA recorded 241 inspections of restaurants, schools, stores and other food establishments in Beaufort 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.
How to request an inspection
If there is an establishment you wish to request an inspection for, you can submit a concern to the SCDA by filling out this Food Safety Complaint Form.
