The Georgia Department of Health’s Environmental Health Division conducts regular restaurant inspections to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.
Below is a list of restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that were inspected between August 2 and August 8, along with their ratings and, in some cases, the health violations that led to a reduction in those ratings.
Disclaimer: On any given day, a facility may have fewer or more violations than the last inspection. An inspection conducted on a given day may not be representative of general, long-term conditions at the facility. Some more recent follow-up inspections may not be included here.
Perfect score
Here are the food service establishments in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed the most recent food inspections between August 2 and August 8 with a score of 100 without committing a single health code violation:
A-Town Wings, 1640 Walton Way
Arby’s, 1813 Gordon Hwy.
Aromas Italian Grill, 1452 Walton Way
Luna 2 Pizza, 3763 Martinez Blvd., Martinez
Location: Martinez, 409 Pleasant Home Rd.
PruittHealth Creekside, 2021 Scott Rd.
Rita’s Mobile Unit, 3763 Martinez Blvd.
Windsor House Assisted Living, 4275 Owens Rd., Evans
It’s getting warmer
Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that received an “A” grade in the most recent food service inspections conducted between August 2 and August 8, followed by their ratings:
Bojangles, 2715 Peach Orchard Rd.: 98
New China, 5112 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. A, Grovetown: 96
Chicken Fingers, 4108 Evans to Locks Rd., Evans: 96
Cook Out Peach Orchard Road, 3012 Peach Orchard Rd.: 95
IHOP, 3125 Peach Orchard Rd.: 94
Bojangles, 3705 Mike Padgett Hwy.: 94
Hello Poke, 1141 Agerton Ln.: 92
Comes in low: Mexican restaurant in Augusta receives 56 points for multiple repeated violations
Not quite finished yet
Here are the restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that received the worst scores on food inspections between August 2 and 8, followed by their ratings and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Ratings of 70 and below are considered failing:
Riverwatch Cinemas, 832 Cabela Dr.: 89
Inspector’s comments:
- “I found diced chicken on the cooler with a label showing the preparation date of ‘7/15.’ Label food items appropriately with preparation and expiration dates. Remove labels as needed and apply a new label indicating the current food product in the container. Repeat violation.”
- “Employees observed preparing food in main kitchen area without appropriate hair protection. Have employees use hair protection during active food preparation.”
- “Spoon observed in marinara on cooler. Measuring spoon observed in sugar container. Store measuring spoon outside of food itself. Employee removed spoon from marinara. Corrected on site.”
- “Stacking of wet plastic containers observed. Repeated violation. Allow dishes to air dry thoroughly before stacking.”
McDonald’s 27526, 3444 Mike Padgett Hwy.: 88
Inspector’s comments:
- “Deposits observed in ice maker. Clean ice maker.”
- “I have observed sliced tomatoes being stored in the refrigerator past their expiration date. Throw away food if it has passed its expiration date.”
Waffle House 645, 1202 George C. Wilson Dr.: 87
Inspector’s comments:
- “Pink and black deposits observed inside the ice machine. Black deposits observed around the beverage dispensers. Clean the ice machine and all beverage dispensers. Increase cleaning frequency to limit deposits.”
- “I observed an employee wearing a watch during active food preparation. No jewelry may be worn on the arms and wrists during active food preparation.”
- “I saw wet cups stacked in the main kitchen. Let the dishes air dry thoroughly.”
- “Food debris accumulation observed on equipment and floors. Clean all equipment and floors. Increase cleaning frequency to limit buildup.”
China Kitchen, 3451 Peach Orchard Rd.: 86
Inspector’s comments:
- “In the walk-in cooler and the freezer compartment, I noticed that containers were missing the preparation and disposal dates. Place the preparation and disposal dates on food that is not in the original container.”
- “Observed containers without common food names. If foods cannot be identified, they must have common food names. Repeat violation.”
- “Personal belongings observed in preparation area. Personal belongings must be stored in the designated area.”
- “Observed that the handle of a shovel was in the food. The handles must not be allowed to get into the food.”
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 2175 Gordon Hwy.: 83
Inspector’s comments:
- “There was no documentation for reporting employee illnesses (the person in charge was given a form). Make copies of the form and have each employee working in the kitchen sign it.”
- “Provide disposable towels at all handwashing stations.”
- “The third compartment of the three-compartment sink did not contain at least 150 ppm quat disinfectant. The self-dispensing hose had an air bubble dispenser. Add disinfectant by hand to obtain 150-400 ppm quat or equivalent; test with test strip.
- “Observed butter stored in refrigerator at 44°F, waffle batter stored in refrigerator at 45°F.”
Benton House of Augusta, 204 Frazier Ct.: 82
Inspector’s comments:
- “I have observed black, slimy buildup inside the ice maker in the main kitchen. Clean the ice maker. Clean the machine more frequently to prevent buildup.”
- “In the refrigerated section in the main kitchen, I observed sour cream at 48°F. Keep refrigeration time/temperature control at 41°F or below for safe foods.”
- “In the small kitchen, a measuring spoon with handle was observed to be improperly stored in sugar. To avoid contamination, store measuring spoon/knife handle away from food.”
- “Observed that clean dishes were stacked wet on the draining rack in the main kitchen. Allow dishes to air dry thoroughly before stacking.”
- “Saw a mop on the floor in the main kitchen. Store the mop hanging to air dry.”
Lokos Tacos 2, 235 Boy Scout Rd.: 80
Inspector’s comments:
- “Raw beef was stored uncovered next to cooked foods in a freezer under the grill. Repeated violation. Cover all food in storage. Keep raw foods away from cooked and ready-to-eat foods.”
- “I have noticed brown deposits in the ice cream maker. Clean surfaces that come into contact with food regularly.”
- “Lettuce, carnitas, cheese, and pico de gallo were chilled on the prep cooler above 41°F. Chill at 41°F or below. Remember, foods should already be at 41°F or below when placed on the prep cooler.”
- “A spice bottle was observed stored in a salad on a refrigerated shelf. Corrected on site. Do not leave any sources of contamination in ready-to-eat foods. The responsible person has removed the spice bottle.”
- “Employees have been observed wearing jewelry on their hands and wrists. Do not wear jewelry on your hands and wrists while preparing food.”
- “Wet stacking of dishes observed. Allow dishes to air dry thoroughly before stacking.”
Sports Center, 594 Broad St.: 56
Inspector’s comments:
- “The facility was not found to have ServSafe or food processing certification. Obtain ServSafe certification as soon as possible.”
- “The person responsible was observed handling cash and touching other items before proceeding to dice the cucumber without washing his hands.”
- “No employee health reporting agreements identifying reportable diseases were found. Employee health reporting agreements are available at dph.ga.gov. Print and have all employees sign them.”
- “Cheese and sour cream are refrigerated at temperatures above 41°F (5°C). Store refrigerated foods at 41°F (5°C) or below.”
- “I found bug spray on a cabinet. Bug spray is not intended for use in commercial food establishments. If pests are a problem, contact a licensed pest control professional.”
- “The last observed inspection was not published. Publish the last inspection publicly.”
- “Observed scoop stored in ice container. Store scoops outside of the food itself.”
- “Observed grease and food residue on equipment and floor. Clean.”
- “Hole discovered in men’s restroom wall. Hole discovered in ceiling panel above refrigerator compartment. Also discovered damaged ceiling panels. Repair hole in men’s restroom. Repair damaged ceiling panels.”
- “Dead fruit flies discovered in bottom of freezer. Remove dead pests.”
