May 10, 2008

Restaurant Report Card

Whitfield County Environmental Health conducts inspections of restaurants every three months. The inspectors may require a re-inspection. Restaurants are required by law to post their most recent inspection permit.

As of Dec. 1, the state changed the way food service establishments are regulated, adding a letter grade to the evaluation and making other changes. The Daily Citizen lists areas where the establishments are out of compliance with the regulations.

Valley Point Elementary, South Dixie Highway

Current score: 95

Current grade: A

Previous score: 94

Previous grade: A

Comments: Store toxic items properly, away from food contact. Clean ceilings where needed.

Taco Bell, 1509 W. Walnut Ave.

Current score: 94

Current grade: A

Previous score: 76

Previous grade: C

Comments: Invert clean containers. Do not hang clean utensils. Self-serve drink lids must be offered to public so contamination from sneeze, cough or touch is prevented. Flies; back door must be fully self-closing and tight-fitting with frame. Much better.

Tacos el Canon No. 1, 335 Goodwill Drive

Current score: 93

Current grade: A

Previous score: 90

Previous grade: A

Comments: Properly date mark items that are taken from original package (sliced, made or mixed together). Clean can opener and walls and ceilings of microwave ovens. Replace gaskets where needed; clean all. Service Ansel system; red tagged. Repair ceiling where needed.

Westside Elementary, Utility Road, Rocky Face

Current score: 92

Current grade: A

Previous score: 95

Previous grade: A

Comments: Segregate bent cans from good. Store clean utensils with handles one way. Clean utensils should be kept protected; keep covered and do not hang. Keep a trash can by hand sink for paper towels. Bad odor in grease container. Dumpster leaks. Crack in floor in dry storage area. Need drop ceiling in dry storage area. Flies.

Valley Point Middle, South Dixie Highway

Current score: 90

Current grade: A

Previous score: 96

Previous grade: A

Comments: Date mark all potentially hazardous prepared foods and prepackaged foods that have been opened. Spray arm at dish machine must not fall below “flood level” of sink. Adjust temperature of water at hand sink; too hot. Must be tempered. Replaced damaged floor tiles in storage area. Freezer door not sealing.

American Legion, 1118 N. Glenwood Ave.

Current score: 90

Current grade: A

Previous score: 95

Previous grade: A

Comments: Paper towels required at all hand sinks. Properly date mark items taken from original package or made up, mixed together or sliced.

Southeast High School, 1954 Riverbend Road

Current score: 82

Current grade: B

Previous score: 94

Previous grade: A

Comments: Employee drinks must be in cup with lid and straw; no drinking from bottles or cans permitted. Hand sink not easily accessible to employees at back food service line. Dressing and cut tomato out of temperature; must hold cold at 41 degrees or below. Inadequate refrigeration space; units not cooling properly. Accurate thermometers in front of each cooler. Dispense single-serve utensils with only handles offered. Need test strips. Shield lights in storage area; need shatterproof bulbs.

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant, 100 W. Walnut Ave.

Current score: 81

Current grade: B

Previous score: 90

Previous grade: A

Comments: Butter, raw chicken and salad dressing out of temperature; must hold cold at 41 degrees or below. Date mark all prepared and opened packaged foods with discard date. Walk-in cooler out, not maintaining temperature. Hair restraints required. Invert clean plateware. Clean walls.

Krystal, 1909 E. Walnut Ave.

Current score: 77

Current grade: C

Previous score: 87

Previous grade: B

Comments: Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food is not permitted. Sliced cheese out of temperature; must hold cold at 41 degrees or below. Date mark foods with discard date, seven days past day of opening or prep. Post “this sink for handwashing only” signs over hand sink. Do not leave scoop in ice machine. Do not stack containers up wet; must air dry first.

Quizno’s Subs, 100 W. Walnut Ave.

Current score: 73

Current grade: C

Previous score: 87

Previous grade: B

Comments: Employees must wash hands between glove changes. Eggs, chicken and tuna out of temperature; must hold cold at 41 degrees or below. Date mark all opened pre-packaged foods properly. Need adequate hair restraints. Store wiping cloths in sanitizer.

Krystal, 301 W. Waugh St.

Current score: 72

Current grade: C

Previous score: 88

Previous grade: B

Comments: Replace soap dispenser at hand wash sink. Paper towels required at all hand wash sinks. Store all foods and food items at least 6 inches off floor. Sliced cheese out of temperature with 12-hour hold time; must hold cold at 41 degrees or below. Thermometers needed in many coolers. Store wiping cloths in sanitizer. Store scoop in onions with handle up. Store ice scoop with handle up, not down in ice. Change gloves when leaving area or changing duties; wash hands for at least 20 seconds in between. Clean men’s and women’s restrooms. Clean Dumpster storage area. Clean and repair floors, walls and ceiling where needed. Flies.

Central Park, 221 Cuyler St.

Current score: 70

Current grade: C

Previous score: 75

Previous grade: C

Comments: No bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. Tomato and sliced cheese out of temperature; must hold cold at 41 degrees or below. Properly date mark items taken from original package or prepared. Hair restraints required on all employees in food prep area. Replace torn or damaged gaskets; clean all. Flies. Repair ceiling. Clean floors where needed.

Checkers, 502 Liberty Square

Current score: 67

Current grade: U

Previous score: 87

Previous grade: B

Comments: Person in charge must ensure there are no foodborne illness risk violations. Do not wash hands in three-compartment sink; wash hands between glove changes. Employee drinks must be segregated from food or food contact. Do not store raw eggs over ready-to-eat food. Cut tomatoes out of temperature; must hold cold at 41 degrees or below. Date mark potentially hazardous foods. Discard out of date food. Do not bring in “homegrown” eggs. Cover ice bin when not in use. Store wiping cloths in sanitizer. Invert single-serve items. Change gloves between tasks. Need test strips. Torn cooler gasket. Service Ansel hood system. Seal all cracks and crevices. Flies; keep windows closed. Repair air curtain at door and use it.