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 food service 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.
Food service establishments with drive-through 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.
March 1
Jameson Inn
3780 Merchants Way, Oakwood
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: Donna Black
March 4
Mango’s Bar and Grill
1736 Atlanta Highway, Gainesville
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: Donna Black
Gainesville RYDC
450 Crescent Drive, Gainesville
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: Kathleen McDuffie
Brenau University Dining Room
1 Centennial Circle, Gainesville
Score: 91, Grade: A
Ice maker baffles have mold, mildew. Bulk milk container dispensing tubes too long, not cut on angle. No hot water at main hand sink in cook area. Floor tiles in one area coming up.
Inspector: McDuffie
Fuji Hibachi Express
229 EE Butler Parkway, Gainesville
Score: 89, Grade: B
Utensils stored dirty in dirty hotel pan under prep table. Knives not properly cleaned and sanitized before being hung on magnetic rack. Prep table was just wiped off with rinsed cloth after chicken prep. Buckets with sanitizer solution for storing cloths used to wipe food contact surfaces between uses are being stored on floor. Fruit and vegetable sink with pieces of meat in basin and knife and cutting board used to prep chicken rinsed off in this sink. Inspection not posted where customers can view from 1 foot away.
Inspector: Laurie Wentworth
March 5
Hampton Inn
450 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: Black
Lula’s Pizza Depot
6018 Athens St., Lula
Score: 92, Grade: A
Dishes piled up in hand sink for dish washing area. Food handler preparing pizzas without proper hair restraint. Dumpster missing drain plug. Several areas — in kitchen alongside grill, cook area in pizza area and dough mixing area — where baseboard is missing and/or needs to be refastened to wall.
Inspector: Laurie Wentworth
Jalapenos No. 1
1784 Atlanta Highway, Suites A1 & A2
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: McDuffie
March 8
Dairy Spot
4841 Cleveland Highway, Gainesville
Score: 90, Grade: A
Bare hands touching slaw that is being prepped. Personal items (handbags, foods, sprays, etc.) stored next to foods and items for customer.
Inspector: Black
Woody’s Pharmacy Inc.
5226 Dahlonega Highway, Clermont
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: Black
McDonald’s Restaurant
965 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville
Score: 90, Grade: A
No sanitizer dispensing, registering on test strips at ware washing machine. Food residue and film from date labels on clean utensils. Sanitizer cloths sitting out on hand washing sink and trays. Utensils stacked wet-nested. Ware washing machine reaching 111 F.
Inspector: Lydia Hoffhines
University Yacht Club
6649 Yacht Club Road, Flowery Branch
Score: 97, Grade: A
Gasket on walk-in cooler torn. Floors throughout need detailed cleaning, especially under equipment.
Inspector: Kathleen McDuffie
Hibachi Buffet
1500 Browns Bridge Road, Suite 117, Gainesville
Score: 97, Grade: A
Make line coolers at 52 and 51 F.
Inspector: McDuffie
Mama Ruth’s
804 Atlanta Highway, Gainesville
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: McDuffie
Motel 6
1585 Monroe Drive, Gainesville
Score: 94, Grade: A
Keep walls and doors clean — don’t use scoop at ice machine.
Inspector: Black
El Paisa
272 A Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville
Score: 67, Grade: U
No CFSM. Oysters in cooler were brought in alive on Friday by owner, now dead — there is no shellstock tag. Food uncovered. Mold, mildew on soft drink nozzles. Three-door cooler not holding food at required temperature. Refried beans prepped at 10:30 a.m. still between 98-100 F at 2:45 p.m. Most items not date-marked. Orange juice dated March 5, 2010, and a sausage dated Jan. 5, 2010, still in cold holding. Washing and cleaning of utensils taking place in vegetable prep sink.
Inspector: McDuffie
March 9
Comfort Inn and Suites at Lake Lanier
4915 Bristol Industrial Way, Buford
Score: 98, Grade: A
Coffee straws must be individually wrapped or in a approved dispenser that dispenses one at a time if for customer self-service.
Inspector: Donna Black
The Bradford House and Gardens
6648 McEver Road, Flowery Branch
Score: 98, Grade: A
Insides of freezers and doors, floor mixer base and cart with food residue and need to be cleaned. Kitchen needs to be reorganized and put personal items, kitchenware, etc., in separate designated areas.
Inspector: Black
Comfort Inn and Suites at Lake Lanier
4951 Bristol Industrial Way, Buford
Score: 100, Grade: A
Inspector: Black
March 11
All Occasions Catering
1547 Riverside Drive, Gainesville
Score: 99, Grade: A
Hand sink is coming away from wall, is leaking, and needs shield replaced.
Inspector: McDuffie
Jennifer Messer