Charleston Restaurants Face Health Inspection Challenges
Hey there, Charleston! It seems like our local dining scene has been in the spotlight recently – and not for the best reasons. In August, health inspectors were out and about, checking on food establishments across the area. Sadly, several restaurants received some pretty low grades, raising concerns about food safety. Let’s dive into what happened.
The Shelter Kitchen and Bar
First up, we have The Shelter Kitchen and Bar, which went under inspection on August 20. They received a C grade after inspectors noticed some concerning issues. The ice machine had a bit of an organic accumulation problem, and the can opener blade wasn’t exactly sparkly clean either. Not to mention, some foods were not being kept at the right temperatures. To make matters worse, inspectors found two bins of uncovered ice that could be exposed to dust and grime from the surroundings. Thankfully, after a follow-up inspection on August 23, they turned things around and nabbed an A grade!
Agaves Cantina
Next, Agaves Cantina had an inspection on August 15 and walked away with a B grade. The inspectors found a pan of cooked pork thawing on a shelf at room temperature – a big no-no in the food safety world! They also noticed some pork thawing in a sink that wasn’t fully submerged in cold running water. However, a follow-up on August 23 saw them bounce back to an A grade. Phew!
Blue’s Coastal Bar & Grill
Then there’s Blue’s Coastal Bar & Grill. Their inspection on August 9 revealed a pesky problem with an abundance of flies buzzing around the kitchen. To make things worse, there was a significant buildup of grease on the hood filters, and again, some foods were not being stored at proper temperatures. But just like others, they didn’t let it linger. After a follow-up inspection on August 22, they also scored an A grade!
Buckshot’s Restaurant
Buckshot’s Restaurant had an inspection on August 1, where they managed to get a B grade. Inspectors found food debris on various condiment bottles, uncovered potatoes stored on the floor, and even single-use items stored incorrectly. To avoid any major issues, they had a follow-up on August 14 and earned an A grade.
Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails
Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails faced an inspection on August 23 and was graded a B. A few flies were seen hovering in not-so-clean spots, and they had some mold on sliced tomatoes and cheese. They even had uncovered ice that might’ve been gathering dust. Yikes! There hasn’t been a follow-up inspection yet, so we’ll have to keep our fingers crossed.
Shuang Xi Chinese Restaurant
Moving on to Shuang Xi Chinese Restaurant, which had its inspection on August 2 and got a B grade. An inspector noted chicken being cooled improperly and a gap in the back door that could let pests waltz in. Luckily, after a follow-up on August 12, they managed to elevate their score to an A grade.
Stone’s Throw Tavern
Stone’s Throw Tavern, inspected on August 20, logged a B grade. Some restricted-use pesticides were found on the premises, and food debris buildup was noted on their can opener. After a follow-up on August 29, they successfully earned an A grade!
Ty’s Roadside
Last but not least, we have Ty’s Roadside, which faced its inspection on August 30, wrapping things up with a B grade. They noticed flies in the dish room, and employees preparing food with bare hands isn’t what you want to see. Additionally, the storage situation wasn’t ideal with raw beef stored alongside lemons and cooked pasta. A follow-up inspection hasn’t been done yet, so we hope for the best!
Keeping Our Dining Safe
So there you have it, folks. While some restaurants are raising their game after facing the heat from health inspectors, it’s essential that we all stay conscious of food safety in our beloved dining spots. We’re all in this together to keep Charleston a delicious and safe place to eat!
