Editor’s note: To keep our food and restaurant industry readers informed, the Greenville News reports on sanitation and health ratings given to the food and restaurant industry during inspections by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA). Overall inspection results and grades are updated in the storefront immediately following an inspection.
Violations identified during monthly health inspections included storing ready-to-eat foods under raw chicken, accumulation of dirt on dishes, products with incorrect expiration dates, and storing food below recommended temperatures.
Some Greenville County restaurants received a “C” food inspection grade in July after the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) identified seven retail food establishments with improper storage practices, cleanliness issues and other health-related problems.
Since SCDA does more than 2,500 routine and follow-up inspections throughout the county each year, last month’s report shows the accumulation of food waste, poultry/dairy products stored at incorrect temperatures, contamination, and more.
In our reporting, we will identify two types of violations: priority and basic violations, examining the highest risk for developing foodborne illness and the factors that can lead to illness.
On a scale of 100, food ratings below 78 mean that the food establishment’s practices need significant improvement. Routine inspections will classify a “C” restaurant as such and follow up 10 days later to see if any changes have been made.
Below is a snapshot of the July 2024 food retail establishments that fell to a grade of “C” and the follow-up inspections that received a higher grade since the first visit:
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Arizona Steakhouse has 13 inspection violations, follow-up visit to take place in August
Location: 3952 Grandview Drive (Simpsonville)
During a routine inspection on July 31, the SCDA found 13 violations, including six basic and five priority violations. Some of the most notable violations were:
- Observation of potato cutters, cleavers and can openers with accumulations of dirt.
- No temperature control for safe food observed on kitchen line with date labeling.
Initial result: 71 out of 100, a follow-up examination had not yet taken place as of August 9th.
Since 2022, Arizona Steakhouse has consistently received an “A” food rating in three inspections prior to the July 31 report.
Bul Go Gi – Korean Grill corrects misdated products during follow-up of inspection violations in July
Location: 2435 E. North St 111-A (Greenville)
During a routine inspection on July 22, the SCDA found nine code violations, including five basic and five priority violations. The most notable included:
- observed raw beef at 16.5 °C stored on the draining board of a three-compartment sink.
- observed two containers of vegetable broth, cream cheese with onions and carrots with no preparation or expiration date, and kimchi that had a shelf life of more than seven days.
The initial assessment was 82 out of 100. A follow-up inspection was carried out on 26 July and the food retailer received a food grade of A, with all deficiencies corrected, and a score of 100.
Since 2021, Bul Go Gi – Korean Grill has consistently received food grades of “A” and “B” in seven inspections prior to the July 22 report.
Konnichiwa of Greenville observed food storage breakdowns, follow-up inspection planned for August
Location: 101 Falls Park Drive (Greenville)
During a routine inspection on July 29, the SCDA found 12 code violations, including two basic and four priority violations. The most notable included:
- Segregation, packaging and separation of food – raw, ready-to-eat foods are stored in a walk-in cold room on the floor beneath raw chicken (violation corrected).
- Temperature control for safe food – monitoring cooked products stored on the counter (carrots at 16.5 degrees Celsius and broccoli at 19.0 degrees Celsius).
- Ready to eat time/temperature control for safe food – pork not marked with cook or discard date.
Initial rating: 76 out of 100; a follow-up appointment has not yet taken place as of August 9th.
The SC Food Grades database does not contain a food quality history for Konnichiwa of Greenville.
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La Choza receives seven compliance violations and fixes issues to achieve a perfect food rating
Location: 6245 White Horse Rd. (Greenville)
During a routine inspection on July 23, the SCDA found seven code violations, including three basic and three priority violations. The most notable included:
- I noticed aluminum trays with cooked food without a date in a cooler.
- observed condensate from the air conditioning dripping into the sink for manual dishwashing.
First rating: 84 out of 100; a follow-up inspection was carried out on 25 July and the food retailer received a food grade of A with all problems resolved and a score of 100.
Since 2021, La Choza has consistently received an “A” food rating in eight inspections prior to the July 23 report.
Lin’s Asian Cafe #1 found violations of labeling and contamination regulations; follow-up investigation to take place in August
Location: 850 E. Suber Rd. (Greer)
During a routine inspection on July 31, the SCDA found eight code violations, including two basic and four priority violations. The most notable included:
- observed cooked chicken at 46 degrees Fahrenheit
- Observed all temperature controls to ensure food safety on grocery items and ready-to-eat foods without a cook or expiration date, including shrimp, noodles, tofu, sweet and sour chicken, sautéed chicken, steak, and vegetable broth.
- observed food in a manner that has the potential for contamination.
Initial rating: 80 out of 100; no follow-up visit has taken place as of August 9th.
Since 2021, Lin’s Asian Cafe #1 has consistently received food grades of “A” and “B” in eight inspections prior to the July 31 report.
Shortfields in Travelers Rest resolves SCDA’s initial food storage violations
Location: 24 S. Main St (Travelers Rest)
During a follow-up inspection on July 26, the SCDA found seven violations of the regulations, including two basic and two priority violations. The most notable included:
- A cream of mushroom soup prepared the day before, the temperature of which was estimated at 12 °C, had been chilled for over six hours (violation corrected).
- Temperature control for safe foods not maintained at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below: including gravy, sausage, chicken, raw fish, raw beef patties, tomatoes, raw chicken, raw beef steaks, baked potatoes, cold cuts, lasagna, and dressing (violation not corrected; products discarded).
- packaged fish that has not been removed from the packaging after thawing.
Initial rating: 87 out of 100; a follow-up inspection was carried out on 29 July and the food retailer received a food grade of A with all issues resolved and a score of 100.
Since 2022, Shortfields of Travelers Rest has consistently received food grades of “A” and “B” in seven inspections prior to the July 31 report.
Voila improves improper food preparation and expiration dates and is reclassified as a Class “A” restaurant.
Location: 755 Hammett Bridge (Greer)
During a routine inspection on July 25, the SCDA found five regulatory violations, including one fundamentals violation and four priority violations. The most notable included:
- Ready-to-eat foods without a preparation or use-by date, including potatoes, chicken, turkey, ham, cheese, goat’s cheese and cooked vegetables) and some had a shelf life of more than seven days (lentil soup, cooked peppers).
Initial rating: 87 out of 100; a follow-up inspection was carried out on 29 July and the food retailer received a food grade of A with all issues resolved and a score of 100.
Since 2022, Voila has consistently received an “A” food rating in five inspections prior to the July 25 report.
To view the complete food quality reports in Greenville and across South Carolina, visit https://apps.dhec.sc.gov/Environment/FoodGrades
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– AJ Jackson covers the food and restaurant scene, as well as arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Reach him via email at [email protected] and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @ajhappened. This reporting is only possible with the support of our readers. Sign up for a digital subscription today.
