As Charlotte’s restaurant selection continues to grow, many establishments are scrambling to attract customers and really letting their health standards slide in the process.
Some of the most common reasons for low scores were food handlers not washing their hands properly, contaminated food containers, and improper food temperatures (many restaurants are still lacking proper infrared thermometers).
These were the worst inspection scores in Charlotte for June, 2025;
#10 Sycamore
5501 JOSH BIRMINGHAM PY., CHARLOTTE NC 28208
Scored 90 (B) on 6/24/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed no PIC present when inspection was begun.
- Observed employee chewing gum while handling clean and dirty dishes.
- Observed employee sweeping floor and then putting on gloves without washing hands first.
- Observed food stored in prep top refrigerator above 41F.
- Observed house flies and fruit flies present.
- Observed a couple of employees with beard not wearing beard nets while handling food and washing utensils.
- Observed a wet wiping towel on counter.
#9 Baku
4515 SHARON RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28211
Scored 90 (A) on 6/24/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC knowledgeable about policy and policy requirements.
- Observed concentrated sanitizer bottle at dispenser of 3 compartment sink empty. Facility did not have another bottle to replace it. 3 compartment sink was set up with wash water and dishwasher stated that he was only washing and rinsing since no sanitizer is available.
- Observed ambient temperature of walk in cooler at 56F.
- Observed 4 drawer cooler near grill holding foods at 41-48F.
- Observed no dates on any sushi fish at sushi station.
- Observed pork belly with today’s date when it was cut and skewered instead of date that it was cooked which was 6 days ago.
- Observed kimchi on counter at 69F labeled with 4 hour window. However, kimchi is not included on list of products on TPHC.
#8 Yame Asian Noodles
4435 PARK RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28209
Scored 90 (A) on 6/16/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed cold holding equipment unable to maintain TCS items at 41F and below.
- Observed employee handle green onions with bare hands while checking to see if it is cold.
- Observed chicken mixer equipment being stored and in use blocking the hand sink in prep area.
- Observed hand sink used to fill pot with water and food items stored inside back hand sink.
- Observed employees wash gloves and go in and out of walkin with gloves and continue food prep.
- Observed ground beef reheated to 84F before placing in the steam well.
- Observed walk in ,with attached walk in freezer, with ambient at 55F, walk in near the front ambient at 45F, prep unit on cook line holding TCS items above 41F.
- Observed no dates in the prep tops of all make tables and in small reach in by soups.
- Observed facility using TPHC for items in prep top but not all items are labeled with when specific food items pulled from walk in unit.
- Observed bottles of sanitizer and degreaser that was not labeled.
#7 Supermercado El Mariachi
6301 N TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28213
Scored 87.5 (B) on 6/3/2025
They had the following violations;
- PIC was observed with violations of storage order of Raw and RTE food, Pans and utensils not properly cleaned and sanitized to sight and touch both items have been out of compliance for 3-4 consecutive inspections.
- Observed hand sink with no paper towels.
- Observed raw chicken above sliced tomatoes and cooked beef inside the meat WIC.
- EHS observed dirty utensils and pans stored as clean above the prep sink in the meat market and on the restaurant shelving.
- EHS observed chemical spray bottles throughout the facility that were unlabeled.
- Observed frozen chicken thawing in ambient air, inside the prep sink.
- Observed back door propped open during the inspection.
- Observed many flies throughout the kitchen due to the back door being left open.
- Observed fly swatters stored on the prep sink while chicken was actively thawing in the prep sink.
#6 Runaway Streetcar
2135 THRIFT RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28208
Scored 87 (B) on 6/10/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed food employee touch trash can and begin to don new gloves without washing hands.
- Observed food employee wiping down counter and then begin to return to food prep without washing hands.
- Observed food employee scratch elbow without washing hands.
- Observed no soap at handsink behind back bar where non-alcoholic beverages and ice are dispensed.
- Observed no handwashing signs at handsinks behind bars where non-alcoholic beverages and ice are dispensed.
- Observed no paper towels at either handsink behind the bars where non-alcoholic beverages and ice are dispensed.
- Observed food employee wipe gloved hands on apron and then return to contact sliced cheese.
- Observed food employee wipe gloved hands on clean apron several times and then return to food prep.
- Observed raw duck stored over raw whole muscle beef in WIC.
- Observed raw salmon stored behind RTE pork belly in cold drawers.
- Observed unwashed lemons and limes stored over RTE short rib in WIC.
- Observed chlorine sanitizer at either of the 2 dish machines behind the bars where non-alcoholic beverages and ice are dispensed.
- Observed prosciutto at 52F, mozzarella cheese at 63F, housemade ranch containing buttermilk between 41-44F.
- Observed items past discard date: potato wedges, cooked root carrots and 2 containers of pork belly date marked 6/1 (discard 6/7), Observed items with no date mark: fries and chicken wings in cold drawer, heavy whipping cream, deviled eggs, queso, buffalo dip, whole milk, half and half, and spinach and artichoke dip.
#5 State of Confusion
3500 DEWITT LN, CHARLOTTE, NC 28217
Scored 86 (B) on 6/3/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed facility internal health policy that is provided to and signed by employees that state employees exhibiting major symptoms and be restricted at work.
- Observed employee go to hand sink and wash hands without soap and for less than 20 seconds.
- Observed hand sink on cook line with ice dumped inside.
- Observed cart that was blocking a hand sink on back prep area.
- Observed parasite letters for chicken of the sea and Aqua Way but boxes received are from Harbor Food and a different vendor.
- Observed raw alligator thawing at prep sink where masa puff balls were actively prepped.
- Observed two pans of beurre blanc that was double panned and holding at 132-147F.
- Observed items in prep top, in front of grill, that was holding in ice above 41F. Facility made an improper ice bath where product was sitting on ice and not fully surrounded by ice.
- Observed full container of chicken stock from 5/27. Multiple batches of chicken stock prepared and the oldest product not used. Ensure to follow First in first out to prevent extending shelf life.
- Observed portioned andouille sausage that was dated today when portioned and not when bag originally opened.
- Observed facility with an inoperable data logger that is required to be used and maintained per HACCP plan.
#4 Hub Bar & Grill
2707 LITTLE ROCK RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28214
Scored 85.5 (B) on 6/27/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC without knowledge some knowledge of temperatures but needs additional training on the health policy, cooling parameters, and sanitizers. Verification required.
- Observed no CFPM on site for inspection.
- Observed no one with knowledge of reportable illnesses and symptoms.
- Observed hand sink close to dish machine without any soap available.
- Observed hand sink by dish machine without available paper towels.
- Observed facility unable to provide letters for parasite destruction for undercooked tuna and salmon.
- Observed items in prep unit #18 and #19 closest to dish machine holding TCS items above 41F.
- Observed rice from 6/20 and salsa from 6/20.
- Observed pasta that was in reach in unit dated 6/20 but PIC thinks it was today.
- Observed lunch/dinner catering menu missing asterisks and verbiage for disclosure.
- Observed wings finishing cooling in covered plastic container from earlier today.
#3 Vibe Cafe and Wine Bar
1315 EAST BV, CHARLOTTE NC 28203
Scored 85 (B) on 6/13/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed multiple Priority items: cooling, cold holding, date marking, and correct sanitization in dish machine.
- Observed PIC without CFPM certification.
- Observed sink in prep area with charcoal.
- Observed raw bacon stored above dairy.
- Observed raw turkey over cucumbers.
- Observed dish machine producing 0 ppm chlorine sanitizer.
- Observed ROP/sous vide pork in RIC prepared yesterday holding above 41F.
- Observed multiple TCS items throughout three cold holding units holding above 41F.
- Observed 2 items, sliced ham and cooked chicken wings with no date marks, opened days prior.
- Observed facility sous vide cooking pork and beef in ROP without approval or date and time marking.
- Observed TCS food that was sous vide and ROP yesterday was still in cooling process today, holding above 41F.
- Observed fry oil and box of jarred items stored on floor.
#2 Goat Pizza
9623 BAILEY RD, CORNELIUS NC 28031
Scored 84.5 (B) on 6/20/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed no paper towels at pizza station hand sink – dispenser jammed/battery dying.
- Observed low sink & surface sanitizer at 3-compartment sink. – 0ppm.
- Observed spring mix being held above 41F in salad make table.
- Observed several TCS foods throughout facility with no date labels (spring mix, romaine lettuce, meatballs, various cheese, etc.).
- Observed several TCS foods held using TPHC with no time stamps on time chart by walk-in cooler.
- Observed no consumer avidosyr (disclosure and reminder) for steak offered undercooked on menu.
- Observed pasta cooling in dough walk-in cooler in deep plastic Cambro container with lid covering product.
- Observed several stainless steel bowls and insert pans wet stacked.
#1 Taste of India
9545 PINNACLE DR, CHARLOTTE NC 28262
Scored 72.5 (C) on 6/5/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed numerous priority and priority violations noted during inspection. Severe lack of active managerial control is evident.
- Observed employee health policy on MFU but no signed copies available.
- Observed handsink blocked by table and food items stored inside sink upon arrival. No handwashing had occurred prior to beginning food preparation.
- Observed PIC bare hand chilis to test the temperature of the food product.
- Observed handsink blocked by various food items and table upon arrival.
- Observed multiple containers of raw chicken stored above ready-to-eat foods in RIC.
- Observed noodles at 77F while cooling in RIC for 3 hours.
- Observed rice, chilis, and onions stored on floor and prep table holding below 135F (see temperature chart).
- Observed various TCS items holding above 41F in RIC, underneath cooking equipment, and on prep surfaces throughout MFU (see temperature chart).
- Observed no dates on any items in MFU.
- Observed large amount of TCS items held on the floor and prep surfaces throughout MFU.
- Observed large pot of rice as well as various seasonings stored directly on the floor of MFU.
If you’d like to monitor health scores or do a quick search for a restaurant you’re about to eat at, check out North Carolina’s health inspection database here.
