The following are among the food service establishments inspected from Feb. 23-March 5 by the Hall County Environmental Health Department. Food service establishments are given a letter grade that coincides with a percentile: “A” (90-100), “B” (80-89), “C” (70-79), “U” 69 and below. Inspections (frequency of) a food service establishment are conducted based on risk categorization. The risk type is determined by the menu items served, the food preparation processed performed, and the previous food safety history in the food service establishment.
A new food service establishment that has never served food must score 100 (A) to receive a food service permit to operate. When a restaurant changes ownership, a new food service permit must be issued. To be issued a permit for a change of ownership, the establishment must score a 95 (A) or above with all foodborne illness risk factors and public health interventions in compliance. Permits must be posted in public view at all times. Establishments with drive-thru windows will also be required to have the top one-third of a copy of the most current inspection report visible through each window allowing customers to easily read the score, date of inspection and establishment information, in addition to the copy posted inside the establishment. Copies of the rules are available at the Hall County Environmental health Office. The rules and regulations are also available online. To register a complaint against a food service establishment, contact the Hall County Environmental Health Department at 770-531-3973.
Feb. 23
China Garden
5900 Spout Springs Road Suite L12,
Flowery Branch
Score: 92, Grade: A
No paper towels at hand sink in kitchen. Foods not being stored covered in coolers, walk-in cooler and freezer.
Inspector: Donna Black
El Maguey Mexican Restaurant
2888 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville
Score: 88, Grade: B
Raw food such as chicken, shrimp, and beef stored over and directly next to ready-to-eat foods in all coolers and walk-in cooler. Numerous clay type containers (pots, cups) found in kitchen. Grease containers found on grass. Lights missing shields in new kitchen area near the new grill.
Inspector: Black
Lakeview Academy
796 Lakeview Drive, Gainesville
Score: 89, Grade: B
Chicken nuggets (commercially pre-cooked) were on the steam unit (111-119 F) and in hot hold cabinet (122 F) not held at 135 F or higher.
Inspector: Erin Kincaid
Lettuce Talk
833 Dawsonville Highway Suite 210, Gainesville
Score: 73, Grade: C
Employee loading soiled kitchenware and utensils into dishwasher and then unloading clean and sanitized kitchenware and utensils from the dishwasher without washing hands between handling soiled and clean and sanitized kitchenware and utensils. Raw chicken being cut next to ready-to-eat preparation at sandwich unit on cook line. Walk-in cooler holding potentially hazardous foods at 46 F-47 F; leftover black bean soup (Feb. 19) 46 F, leftover meatball soup (Feb. 21) 46 F, pasta salad (Feb. 22) 47 F.
Inspector: Laurie Wentworth
Zaxby’s
4906 Friendship Road, Buford
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: Kincaid
Feb. 26
Chef Wang Chinese Restaurant
275 Pearl Nix Parkway, Gainesville
Score: 83, Grade: B
Raw meat found stored above ready-to-eat foods in coolers. Bowls holding raw chicken placed on top of clean plates. Raw chicken found sitting in bowl of water on three-compartment sink drain board thawing. Wiping cloths stored on prep surfaces, not in sanitizer solution.
Inspector: Kincaid
Feb. 27
Biscuit Delite
3605 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville
Score: 97, Grade: A
Container of cloth sanitizer stored on prep table in back kitchen area.
Inspector: Wentworth
China Wok
1015 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville
Score: 92, Grade: A
Majority of foods in both reach-in coolers uncovered. Pans are stacked on top of each other, allowing the bottoms of the pans to potentially contaminate foods in pans underneath. Employee rinsed hands in vegetable sink. Many empty oil containers around dumpster.
Inspector: Kincaid
Durango Mobile
1705 Cleveland Highway Suite 11, Gainesville
Score: 65, Grade: U
Hands were not able to be washed between glove changes or as required because water piping for trailer has been damaged by freezing temperatures; hand sink is not able to be used. Personal drink mixed in water bottle siting on prep table while orders being prepared. Ziploc bags of raw chicken (pieces and fillets) on shelf in two-door upright cooler above Ziploc bags of shredded lettuce and container of sliced tomatoes. Wet cloths used to wipe prep surfaces laying on prep surfaces with no sanitizer container set-up to store cloths in between uses. No sanitizer test strips available for the type sanitizer that is reportedly put into cloth storage container. No water available for use since water piping has been damaged by freezing temperatures; must have water supply for required hand washing. Cellphone found lying on prep table, cellphones on shelf with clamshell containers for food orders.
Inspector: Wentworth
Las Palomas
3050 Athens Highway, Gainesville
Score: 67, Grade: U
Water bottles and a bottle of coke sitting on prep surfaces. Raw carne fajitas stored above prepared onions and tomatoes in homestyle fridge. Raw shelled eggs and raw bacon stored above deli meat in homestyle fridge. Potentially hazardous foods (cooked beans 100 F, barbecue 70 F, and rice 81 F) sitting on counter next to grill. Unlabeled bottles of chemicals found in kitchen. Food handler found handling food without hair restraint. Employee rinsed hands in vegetable sink. Chopped cilantro was found on newspaper in back of kitchen. Still no hot water at hand washing sink in women’s restroom. Protective shield for light bulb in room with homestyle fridge and two-door upright was broken. IPad found sitting on prep table.
Inspector: Kincaid
March 2
Gainesville Exploration Academy
1145 McEver Road, Gainesville
Score: 91, Grade: A
Food items (chicken nuggets 120 F, 122 F, black beans 122 F, 123 F, mashed potatoes 122 F, 120 F) in hot hold pass-thru not maintaining temperature of 135 F or above.
Inspector: Kincaid
O’Charley’s No. 256
1711 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville
Score: 82, Grade: B
Inspector observed an open sore on the arm of an employee working at the prep station and grill. Inspector observed a whisk hand sink behind prep line. There was no cold water at hand sink behind prep line. Slicer had accumulation of debris and residue. Drink nozzles at the wait station and soda gun at the bar had mold accumulations. Five small Styrofoam containers of grits were not date marked. Observed several wiping cloths stored on the prep line counter. Scoops were stored with handle in product of containers of tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms in cold holding drawer under flat top grill. Inspector observed water pooling in reach in portion of the middle unit of the prep line cooler. Dumpster was missing drain plug. Water was pooled in corner of dumpster area, and some trash was scattered throughout. Dumpster doors were opened. Several lights in dry storage and receiving areas were missing end caps.
Inspector: Holly Cochran
Pueblos Mexican Cuisine No. 2
3630 Thompson Bridge Road Suite 1, Gainesville
Score: 78, Grade: C
Employee water bottle sitting on pipe next to hand washing sink and in bar area. No paper towels in employee bathroom. Foods in three-door reach-in cooler were not maintaining temperatures of 41 F or below. Large containers of beans with lid on top prepared the day prior, March 1, with temperature of 41-49 F in walk-in. There were unlabeled bottles of chemicals in kitchen. Personal medication stored above prep table.
Inspector: Kincaid
March 3
Spout Springs School of Enrichment
6640 Spout Springs Road, Gainesville
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: Kincaid
March 4
Burger & Shake No. 6
3630 Thompson Bridge Road Suite 14, Gainesville
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: Black
Captain D’s
410 Pearl Nix Parkway, Gainesville
Score: 86, Grade: B
Employee drinks on prep surfaces. Low boy cooler was not holding potentially hazardous foods (shrimp 54 F; fish 55-59 F; fish 56 F; tilapia 57 F) at required 41 F or below. Chicken tenders (11-129 F) and fried shrimp (115-128 F) under heat lamp not kept at required 135 F or above. Cardboard Dumpster drain plug not positioned to prevent leaking. Trash accumulated around Dumpster area. Floors under drink counter, in walk-in being used for storage, and behind fryer with accumulation of grease, food debris, and dust. Protective shield cracked on light near fryers closest to drive through. Light missing protective shield above grill.
Inspector: Kincaid
Sardis Enrichment School
2805 Sardis Road, Gainesville
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: Kincaid
March 5
McEver Arts Academy
3265 Montgomery Drive, Gainesville
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: Kincaid
Reid’s Cafe
5337 Thompson Bridge Road, Murrayville
Score: 96, Grade: A
Food handler found with beard longer than half-inch. Food handlers found with rings, bracelets. All lights in kitchen were missing shields.
Inspector: Black
Los Carrillo’s Restaurant
503 Atlanta Highway, Gainesville
Score: 80, Grade: B
Paper towel dispenser not dispensing paper towels at only hand sink. No other paper towels provided at hand sink. Cup in hand washing sink. Mold on baffle of ice maker. Beans prepared at 7 a.m. with temperature of 79 F in large, deep container in two-door upright cooling. Chile rellenos prepared March 1, with temperature of 48 F.
Inspector: Kincaid
Elise Perkins