Restaurant inspections: Augusta sandwich shop kept food with unlisted expiration dates

The Georgia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Section, conducts regular restaurant inspections to help keep residents and visitors safe.

The following is a list of restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that have been inspected between Aug. 16 and 23, accompanied by their scores and, in some cases, the health infractions that lowered those scores.

Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. A few more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

Perfect score

Here are food and drink establishments in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between Aug. 16 and 23 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

Butler High School, 2011 Lumpkin Rd.

Checkers 3006, 1720 Walton Way

Circle K/Blimpie 5341, 3603 Peach Orchard Rd.

Fish Bowl Lounge, 2248 Lumpkin Rd.

Harlem High School, 1070 Appling Harlem Hwy., Harlem

Jenkins-White Charter School, 800 15th Ave.

Mally's Market, 2860 Washington Rd.

North Harlem Elementary School, 360 West Trippe St., Harlem

Restaurante Guatemalteco Dos Hermanos, 2906 Peach Orchard Rd.

Riverside Elementary School, 4431 Hardy McManus Rd., Evans

Stevens Creek Elementary School, 3780 Evans to Locks Rd.

Tanks Sports Bar & Grill, 215 10th St.

W.S. Hornsby Elementary School, 310 Kentucky Ave.

W.S. Hornsby Middle School, 320 Kentucky Ave.

Washington Commons, 100 Washington Commons Dr., Evans

Getting warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between Aug. 16 and 23, followed by their scores:

Wendy's 2792, 1730 Walton Way: 99

Zaxby's 2, 510 Furys Ferry Rd., Martinez: 99

Taco Bell 23707, 2850 Washington Rd.: 98

El Veracruz, 1077 Stevens Creek Rd.: 98

Pizza Hut 2585, 2215 Tobacco Rd.: 96

C and L China Restaurant, 2816 Washington Rd., Ste. 107: 96

Build Yo Poke, 2816 Washington Rd., Ste. 101: 96

Diablo's Southwest Grill, 3102 Washington Rd.: 95

Vallarta Mexican Restaurant, 2808 Washington Rd.: 94

Surcheros Fresh Mex - Augusta, 2907 Washington Rd., Ste. 402: 94

Hardee's Windsor Spring, 3696 Windsor Spring Rd., Hephzibah : 93

Lake Forest Hills Elementary School, 3140 Lake Forest Dr.: 92

Domino's Pizza - Tobacco Road, 2514 Tobacco Rd., Hephzibah : 90

Curry Hut, 2810 Washington Rd.: 90

Harrington Park, 511 Pleasant Home Rd.: 90

Not quite done

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between Aug. 16 and 23, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors' comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

Dunkin Donuts, 5225 Wrightsboro Rd., Grovetown: 89

Inspector's comments:

• "Observed ice machine with black and pink build-up. Wiped down. Clean thoroughly and increase frequency."
• "Observed employees with jewelry. Ensure only a plain band is worn, no bracelets and/or watches."
• "Observed multiple dishes above 3-compartment sink being wet stacked. Ensure dishes are properly air dried before stacking."
• "Observed floors and walls in need of cleaning. Thoroughly clean and increase frequency."

New S&S Cafeteria, 1616 Walton Way: 85

Inspector's comments:

• "Observed chicken and coleslaw in cooler in salad prep area held above 41 F -Move food items to another cooler to cool down to 41 F."
• "Wiping cloths must be stored in red sanitizer bucket."
• "Keep dumpster lids closed."

Jason's Deli, 2907 Washington Rd., Bldg. 500: 82

Inspector's comments:

• "Observed guacamole, mayo, mac & cheese, pico de gallo and lettuce cold holding on prep top cooler above 41 degrees F. Cold hold at 41 degrees F or lower. Corrected on site, Person in charge placed ice under foods to aid in temperature decrease."
• "Observed red peppers with use-by date of 8/14 and red onions as well as tomatoes with a use-by date of 8/16. Repeat violation. Monitor expiration dates closely. Person in charge removed out of date foods from storage."
• "Observed scoop stored in au jus powder. Observed ice scoop stored improperly above drink machine. Store scoops outside of food product itself. Do not store ice scoop on dirty surfaces, obtain place to hold ice scoops."
• "Observed debris and build up around condiment area at self service drink station. Repeat violation. Clean."

Firehouse Subs, 2930 Peach Orchard Rd.: 80

Inspector's comments:

• “Observed employee enter main kitchen area and did not wash hands before they started working. If employee enters kitchen to start the or come back from the bathroom they must still wash hands as the first thing they do.”
• "Observed food items with no discard date. Observed one item in reach-in cooler being held past discard date.”
• "Observed chemicals not stored in designated area. Cleaning supplies/chemicals must be stored in designated areas.”
• "Observed dead bugs behind tables and under handwashing sink. Clean up dead bugs after treatment.”

Jerk City Truck, 2147 Eastside Ct.: 70

The Aug. 19 inspection was a follow-up of an Aug. 12 inspection in which the restaurant scored an 81. The first comment is new. The rest are standing violations from the previous inspection.

Inspector's comments:

• "Observed jerk marinade cold held above 41 F. Maintain cold held foods at 41 F or below."
• “Observed no Certified Good Protection Manager Certificate. Obtain a certification within 60 days of this inspection."
• "Observed rusted can of cheese held past date marking on dry storage rack. Monitor date markings & ensure food is properly discarded."
• "Observed no thermometers to temp food nor inside the coolers & freezers. Obtain thermometers to properly temp food.”
• "Observed rice not stored at least 6 inches off the floor in dry storage. Store all food items at least 6 inches off of the floor.”
• "Observed under hand/prep sink not smooth & easily cleanable. Construct a smooth & easily cleanable surface under sink or replace materials.”
• "Observed no thermometers to temp food nor inside the coolers & freezers. Obtain thermometers to properly temp food.”
• "Observed buildup inside the coolers & freezers. Clean. Increase cleaning frequency to limit buildup.”
• "Observed no hot water at the prep/hand sink. Person in charge stated batteries are needed to make hot water. Ensure there's hot & cold water at all times.”
• "Observed no air gap under hand/prep sink. Place air gap under sink within 60 days of this inspection.”
• "Observed live roaches in the coolers, freezers, & equipment. Contact a licensed pest control operator immediately to get rid of roaches.”

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Restaurant inspections: Augusta sandwich shop kept food with unlisted expiration dates