Several violations found at Crossville restaurant during health inspection

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The restaurant with the failing grade this week is in Cumberland County. The inspector marked down more than half a dozen violations that could cause potential foodborne illness.

The grade is a 69 at Los Toritos of Crossville on Peavine Road in Crossville. That is a failing score as any grade of 69 and below is considered failing.

Los Toritos, 224 Peavine Rd, Crossville — Grade: 69, Follow-up Grade: 91

To begin with, the inspector said he watched a kitchen worker talking on a cell phone, once it was put down, the employee started preparing food without washing his hands first. Had the worker tried to wash his hands in the employee hand sink, he couldn’t. The inspector found it blocked by a large metal container and buckets.

The inspector found beef thawing a plain water, which is not allowed in restaurants. To slow down the growth of bacteria, one way to properly thaw frozen is in the refrigerator, not in water.

The inspector found a container of beef left out on a counter to cool. The temperature of the beef was 88 degrees and at that temperature, bacteria grows rapidly. A large container of rice was left uncovered next to a sink, which could possibly create foodborne illness if some of the dirty water accidentally splashes onto the rice.

When the inspector asked to speak to the person in charge about the violations, there was no manager on-site at the restaurant.

The inspector returned to Los Toritos of Crossville and the manager was there this time. The critical violations were checked. All had been corrected, the new grade is a 91.

Top Scores of the Week

• McDonald’s, 409 E Emory Rd, Powell — 100
• Fly By Night, 906 Sevier Ave, Knoxville — 100
• Walnut Springs Cafe, 1175 Midway Rd, Strawberry Plains — 100
• 1907 Brewing Company, 102 W. Main St, Morristown — 100
• Sunshine Hollow, 198 Country Rd 52, Athens — 100
• Taco Bell, 1114 Charles Seivers Blvd, Clinton — 99
• Twin Peaks, 135 Northshore Dr, Knoxville — 99
• Peking Chinese Restaurant, 420 Park Blvd, Rogersville — 98

Quite a few other restaurants received inspection scores in the high 90s around East Tennessee. By the way, inspection reports are supposed to be posted where you can find and read them.

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