South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at a Midland restaurant in May, including cockroaches in the meat market, flies in the kitchen and raw chicken dripping with juices. Each month, the state releases ratings and inspection reports for restaurants across the Midland counties.
Here are some of the lowest rated restaurants in May.
Hardee's at 1733 Whiskey Road in Aiken
Hardee's was inspected on May 7 and received a C rating.
The inspector observed flies throughout the kitchen, one dead fly on the serving counter, and several dead flies throughout the dining room.
Excessive grease buildup was observed on floors throughout the facility. Grease and trash residue was observed in the rear storeroom. Both restrooms were not properly maintained. Employees were observed starting their shifts without washing their hands.
The restaurant underwent a required follow-up inspection on May 29 and received an A rating.
Brainy's Backyard Grill, 1244 Pine St., Kershaw.
Blaney's Backyard Grille was inspected May 1 and received a C rating.
Inspectors observed employees handling dirty dishes and then touching clean dishes without proper hand washing, and also observed dirty dishes being stored as clean.
There were several buckets of expired sauce stored there, buckets of food stored on the floor of the walk-in refrigerator, the ice machine in the bar area had a sticky residue on it.
The restaurant underwent a required follow-up inspection on May 9 and received an A rating.
Boho Pizza and Brew, 2415 Augusta Hwy, Lexington
Boho Pizza and Brew was inspected on May 30 and received a C rating.
Inspectors observed numerous flies and rodent droppings throughout the facility, as well as several pieces of fly tape placed over clean dishes.
Meat was seen being left in puddles to thaw, pizza sauce and pre-cooked chicken wings were stored without date markings, certain foods were not kept at proper storage temperatures, employees were seen wearing dirty aprons.
The required follow-up testing has not yet been carried out.
Flaming Grill Supreme Buffet, 115 Afton Ct., Lexington
Flaming Grill was inspected on May 7 and received a C rating.
Inspectors found multiple dead chickens throughout the facility, as well as raw chicken stored directly on the floor.
Certain foods were observed not being stored at proper temperatures, large pots with hard burnt surfaces were stored in a clean condition, raw chicken was stored on top of raw beef in the walk-in refrigerator.
The restaurant underwent a required follow-up inspection on May 22 and received an A rating.
San Jose Mexican Restaurant, 498 Piney Grove Road, Lexington
The San Jose Mexican Restaurant was inspected on May 6 and received a C rating.
The restaurant had to close temporarily because the main walk-in refrigerator was in poor condition and not working properly.
Inspectors witnessed employees handling dirty utensils without washing their hands, they also witnessed employees handling raw meat and touching equipment handles without washing their hands.
Dented tins were seen stored with in-use inventory, food debris was seen on the outside of stacked pots and on knives that were stored in a clean condition, and certain foods were seen not to have been stored at the proper storage temperatures.
The restaurant underwent the required additional inspection and evaluation on May 16th.
121 Dreher Road, Lexington, San Jose
San Jose was tested on May 3 and received a C rating.
Inspectors observed employees cutting lettuce with their bare hands.
Meat was observed being improperly stored in the freezer, certain foods were not being kept at proper storage temperatures, oil that had accumulated in a grease pipe was draining into an overflow bucket from the hood resulting in grease spilling onto the ground outside.
The restaurant underwent a required follow-up inspection on May 16 and received an A rating.
Two Gingers, 245 Bush River Road, Richland
The two Gingers were tested on May 1 and received a C rating.
Inspectors observed employees handling cooked bread with their bare hands.
Foreign objects were found in salt and MSG containers. Carbon buildup was found in clean and stacked pots. Food debris was found on dishes that were kept as clean. Certain foods were found not to have been stored at proper storage temperatures.
There was heavy dust and debris on the ceiling throughout the kitchen.
The restaurant underwent a required follow-up inspection on May 13 and received an A rating.
Angelo's Zesto at 4001 N Main St. in Richland
Angelo's Zest was inspected on May 15th and received a C grade.
Inspectors observed flies and drain flies throughout the facility.
Raw chicken was seen stored openly in the walk-in refrigerator, cashiers were seen handling money before scooping ice for drinks sold, plates and pans soiled with aluminum foil and trash were seen stored in a clean condition.
Certain foods did not appear to be stored at proper storage temperatures. Food, dirt and debris was visible on floors and walls throughout the facility.
The restaurant underwent a required follow-up inspection on May 31 and received an A rating.
Asian Express at 1935 Broad River Road in Richland.
Asian Express was inspected on May 13 and received a C rating.
Inspectors observed employees handling raw products in dirty containers without washing their hands or changing gloves.
Eggs and raw meat were stored on top of the vegetables, and the chopping board was kept clean and not sanitized.
Certain foods were not kept at proper storage temperatures, and several containers of prepared foods and sauces did not have a date marking system.
The restaurant underwent a required follow-up inspection on May 20 and received an A rating.
Legacy Bar & Grill at 215 Oneil CT in Richland
Legacy Bar & Grill was inspected May 14 and received a C rating.
Inspectors observed employees switching from handling raw chicken to handling prepared food containers, grabbing utensil handles without washing their hands, and storing onions in boxes that had previously held raw chicken.
The dishes had food debris on them and appeared to have been kept in clean conditions. The ice maker had black stains on it. Some of the food did not appear to have been kept at the correct temperature. The cutting board had deep grooves and black stains on it.
The restaurant underwent a required follow-up inspection on May 22 and received an A rating.
Logan's Upper Crust, 843-4 Polo Road, Richland
Logan's Upper Crust was inspected on May 29 and received a C rating.
Inspectors observed fly and drain fly activity throughout the facility.
Some ready-to-eat foods were stored past their expiration dates. Certain foods were not stored at the correct temperature. Soiled dishes were stored as clean.
The required follow-up testing has not yet been carried out.
M Vista on Lady Street in Richland
M Vista was inspected on May 17 and received a C rating.
Inspectors observed employees using the same spoon for multiple raw products in a prep line cooler and also observed raw chicken placed next to whole carrots on a table in the back of the prep kitchen.
Multiple dirty dishes were observed being stored as clean. Certain foods did not appear to be stored at proper storage temperatures. Food was observed being stored on the floor.
The restaurant underwent a required follow-up inspection on May 30 and received an A rating.
Rivera's Foods at 1807 Decker Boulevard in Richland
Rivera's Foods was inspected on May 15 and received a C rating.
Inspectors saw liquid dripping from large bags of raw chicken into a bin of breadcrumbs and also spotted dead cockroaches in the meat section.
Certain foods were observed not to be stored at proper temperatures, bags of raw chicken were placed directly on the floor, water was present in the bottom of meat display cases, and cutting boards had grooves and dark spots.
The restaurant received two more C's after follow-up inspections on May 22 and 29. A third follow-up inspection has yet to be conducted.
