10 pounds of chicken tossed during inspection at Pigeon Forge restaurant

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The restaurant with the failing score is located in Sevier County. A lot of critical violations were marked down by the inspector.

The grade is a 67 at El Ranchero Loco Mexican Grill and Restaurant on Veterans Blvd in Pigeon Forge. This is a failing score as any grade of 69 and below is considered failing.

El Ranchero Loco, 2902 Veterans Blvd, Pigeon Forge — Grade: 67

To begin, food temperatures were off. In the refrigerator, the inspector reported that 10 pounds of pulled chicken and five pounds of cooked rice were between 48 and 51 degrees. However, 41 degrees and below is the proper holding temperature for food in the fridge. The chicken and rice were thrown away due to the potential for foodborne illness.

When the inspector checked a can opener, it had food debris stuck to it. The opener was quickly washed, cleaned and sanitized.

An employee was observed washing vegetables in the employee’s hand sink, which is in the wrong place. The vegetables and other foods are supposed to be washed in the food preparation sink.

A cook, working at the grill, put on clean gloves without first removing his dirty gloves. Health rules don’t allow that. The dirty gloves should have been removed and hands washed before putting on clean gloves.

Finally, the person in charge did not demonstrate managerial control due to so many critical violations. El Rancho Loco will be re-inspected soon.

Top Scores of the Week

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• Cook Out Restaurant, 321 N. Cedar Bluff Rd, Knoxville — 99
• Bojangles, 7505 Oak Ridge Hwy, Knoxville — 99
• Mcdonald’s, 841 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge — 99
• Mcdonald’s, 100 W. Broadway Blvd, Jefferson City — 99
• Big Ed’s Pizza, 101 Broadway, Oak Ridge — 98

If you notice something is amiss while dining, let the manager know or you call the health department in the county where you live. An inspector will be sent out for a special surprise visit.

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