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Kitchen Inspections: Oct. 23-25
Kitchen Inspections

The following are among the food service establishments inspected from Oct. 23-25 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 at dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health-inspections.

To register a complaint against a food service establishment, contact the Hall County Environmental Health Department at 770-531-3973.


Oct. 23

Avocado’s Restaurant

109 Bradford St. SE, Gainesville 

Score: 89, Grade: B

Observed multiple TCS items held above minimum cold holding requirements in three-door sandwich unit. 

Inspector: Victor Jones 


Burger & Shake No. 6

3630 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville 

Score: 99, Grade: A

Splash guard mounted on drainboard of vegetable sink, separating foods from exposure to splash from the meat prep sink, is beginning to pull apart from prior seal. Nonfood contact surfaces of plastic containers stacked above three-compartment sink containing leftover residue from stickers.

Inspector: Evan Biles 


Coffee Shop at Lawrence Pharmacy

631 Broad St., Gainesville 

Score: 100, Grade: A

Inspector: Victor Jones 

Dari Spot

4841 Cleveland Highway, Gainesville 

Score: 97, Grade: A

Observed leak in walk-in freezer creating large build up of ice in freezer.

Inspector: Victor Jones 


Joe Muggs at Books A Million

150 Pearl Nix Parkway, Gainesville

Score: 100, Grade: A

Inspector: Evan Biles 


Sun Garden Chinese Restaurant

3630 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville

Score: 96, Grade: A

Observed insects on and around hanging knifes next to three-compartment sink.

Inspector: Alex Reid 


Waffle House No. 1211

4395 Cornelia Highway, Lula

Score: 98, Grade: A

Built up of condensate leak found inside of walk in cooler on floor beneath shelve; standing cooler behind counter had built up condensate leak that which leaked out on to the floor upon opening door; beneath prep top cooler had built up condensate leak which waffle batter dish was sitting on.

Inspector: Alex Reid 


Oct. 24

Family Cafe

601 South Enota Drive NE, Gainesville 

Score: 80, Grade: B

Certified Food Safety Manager’s Certification expired April 8. Half-consumed bottle of frappacino on the prep table next to a cutting board and bus tub of prepared raw broccoli. Person in charge and CFSM could not explain how a vomit or diarrheal incident should be cleaned up if such an event should occur within the facility. No procedures in place for such cleanup should it occur in the facility. Metal pans with cookies and fried noodles covered with plastic wrap at self-serve buffet for consumer service. Plastic wrap not an effective means of preventing contamination.

Inspector: Laurie Wentworth 


New Holland Core Knowledge Academy 

170 Barne St., Gainesville 

Score: 100, Grade: A

Inspector: Laurie Wentworth 


Papa’s Pizza To Go

2703 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville 

Score: 85, Grade: B

Opened bag of Cheetos found on food prep surface next to make line cooler. Dining tables observed being cleaned with windex and a lone wash cloth. No date marking provided for deli sliced turkey and ham stored on racks in walk-in cooler. Spaghetti sauce consisting of crushed tomatoes found in the process of cooling within a large 5-gallon plastic container with a snap fitting lid in place.

Inspector: Evan Biles


Smoothie King No. 791

890 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville 

Score: 85, Grade: B

No paper towels provided in prep room hand sink. Hand-washing sink in prep room being used as storage for ice bin; ice cream kept in front reach in chest do not have lids or other coverings. Ice machine chute heavy buildup of black mildew and mold. Inspection report displayed is not most current. Restroom trash broken and no longer covered. Restroom toilet is running, therefore water to restroom is shut off, and sign in placed over door stating “Out of Order;” however, PIC stated the water is turned on for use by employees and in case of emergency for customer. Fruit flies found throughout establishment. 

Inspector: Evan Biles 


The Oaks at Limestone 

2560 Flintridge Road, Gainesville 

Score: 100, Grade: A

Inspector: Lydia Hoffhines 


Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers No. 20

416 Shallowford Road, Gainesville 

Score: 95, Grade: A

Employee beverage was stored on the counter in drive through area without lid. No chemical or cleanup kit provided for cleanup of bodily fluids such as vomit or diarrhea. Manager was unable to locate the kit during the inspection. Lid to waste dumpster found open when not actively being used by employees to dispose of waste.

Inspector: Evan Biles


Oct. 25

Captain D’s

3522 Thurmon Tanner Parkway, Oakwood 

Score: 95, Grade: A

French fry boxes stacked within walk in freezer saturated with non potable water from condenser drip. Filtering hose stored beside mop sink has its plastic coated beginning to deteriorate, allowing grease and debris to be trapped alongside the hose. Facility using a hot water sanitizing dish machine, however no maximum registering thermometer could be located.

Inspector: Evan Biles


Chick-Fil-A at Stonebridge 

5905 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch

Score: 88, Grade: B

Observed sliced American cheese, swiss cheese, white American and blue cheese at temperatures 49 F, 51 F, 48 F, and 47 F, respectively. Cheeses were placed in cooler around 8 a.m. and did not maintain cold holding temperatures within six-hour window. Observed condensate leak that dripped on to multiple closed packages within walk-in freezer.

Inspector: Alex Reid


Flowery Branch Elementary School 

5544 Radford Road, Flowery Branch

Score: 100, Grade: A

Inspector: Alex Reid


Hardee’s No. 5983

4538 Oakwood Road, Oakwood 

Score: 90, Grade: A

Many pans of breaded chicken kept without lids on in the reach in freezer. Employee actively engaging in food preparation wearing multiple bracelets and arm bands. Multiple boxes of single-service articles scattered about floor in dry storage. Soap dispenser to rear hand sink no longer mounted to wall and supported by faucets at current location. Fluorescent light bulbs above mop sink area are missing a cover or protective shielding.

Inspector: Evan Biles 


Jay Lou’s Restaurant 

940 Pine St., Gainesville 

Score: 91, Grade: A

Observed potentially hazardous food being stored above 41 F.

Inspector: Victor Jones 


Mr. Edd’s Pizza Plus 

5205 Cleveland Highway, Clermont 

Score: 91, Grade: A

Observed potentially hazardous food cold held at greater than 41 F. Cooler was having issues and was said to be fixed but may need more coolant.

Inspector: Victor Jones


Paula’s Deli and Breakfast

1411 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville 

Score: 100, Grade: A

Inspector: Laurie Wentworth 


Willowwood Nursing Center 

4595 Cantrell Road, Flowery Branch

Score: 78, Grade: C

No paper towels available at kitchen hand washing sink. No sanitizer registering on test strips for standing quat solution present on air drying utensils or from quat solution dispenser. Pasteurized eggs in walk-in cooler 57 F. Packages of pre-sliced deli ham in walk-in freezer 50 F. Temperature control safety foods must maintain 41 F or less for cold-holding. Drain air gaps for warewashing machine and pre-flush spray wand have been plugged with a direct connection. Ice machine located in nurses station and used for food service operations has drain solid piped into wall. The plumbing system for such equipment must be equipped with a mechanism to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid or gas contaminant. Fan at warewashing sink has large gap between screen covering and bottom of wall frame.

Inspector: Lydia Hoffhines