Roaches found in Charlotte restaurant’s ice machine: Sanitation scores (Oct. 11)

An east Charlotte restaurant received a “B” grade from the Mecklenburg County Health Department for numerous health violations, including the presence of bugs.

▪ El Paisano , 5846 Albemarle Rd. in Charlotte, received a score of 86.5% during its Oct. 3 inspection.

The restaurant was cited after inspectors found “live roaches throughout facility and inside of ice machine,” county documents show. Other violations the restaurant was cited for include:

• Chicken wings cooling below required temperature

• Spray bottle of glass cleaner stored above herbs

• Multiple containers without labels

• Litter and debris buildup in dumpster enclosure

This is the restaurant’s first “B” grade.

Mecklenburg County sanitation scores

The Mecklenburg County sanitation grades database shows that at least 259 restaurant inspections were completed Oct. 1-11.

▪ Most restaurants received an A grade, or a score of at least 90%.

▪ Four restaurants received a B grade, or a score of at least 80% but lower than 90%.

▪ Biryani Nation (14027 Conlan Cir.) received a score of 81.5% during an inspection on Oct. 1.

• The restaurant was in violation of 19 standards, including the presence of cockroaches and food residue on kitchen equipment.

• Some violations were corrected during the inspection

• The restaurant previously scored 90.5% in June 2024.

▪ Subway (6133 South Blvd.) received a score of 83% during an inspection on Oct. 1.

• The restaurant was in violation of 19 standards, including the presence of flies and food stored on the floor.

• Some violations were corrected during the inspection

• The restaurant previously scored 95.5% in March 2024.

▪ Lagz Restaurant Bar & Grille (2539 Little Rock Rd.) received a score of 87% during an inspection on Oct. 2.

• The restaurant was in violation of 12 standards, including the presence of flies and gnats, and kitchen facilities in disrepair.

• Most violations were corrected during the inspection

• The restaurant previously scored 90% in June 2024.

How to search NC restaurant inspection scores

Sanitation scores and their corresponding letter grades are used in North Carolina to assess restaurants’ adherence to rules and standards intended to mitigate and prevent the spread of food-borne illnesses.

You’ve likely seen sanitation grade cards at restaurants you’ve visited, and The News & Observer previously explained what those scores mean and how they’re calculated .

According to state law , permits are immediately revoked if a restaurant receives a score of less than 70%.

You can search all restaurant inspections in Mecklenburg County at public.cdpehs.com .

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