Even though the Charlotte region’s restaurant selection continues to grow, so does our population, and some restaurants are taking advantage of this growing customer base by letting their health standards slide.
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 starting to use infrared thermometers to avoid this).
These were the top 10 worst inspection scores in Charlotte for April 2023;
#10 IHOP
8146 S TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28273
Scored 91 (A) on 4/10/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed 2 employees use hand sink with broken soap dispenser. No soap was used to wash hands.
- Observed soap dispenser at hand sink in the dish machine area broken and unable to be used.
- Observed deli ham slices stored on the outer surface of packaging and in contact with shelving of RIC.
- Observed debris on the food contact surface of pans and and plates stored as clean.
- Observed buttermilk pancake batter being held on time with no label to indicate start time.
#9 The Kilted Buffalo
1212 CENTRAL AV, CHARLOTTE NC 28204
Scored 90.5 (A) on 4/29/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed no PIC that was a certified food protection manager and had multiple priority item violations.
- No food employee present during inspection was a certified food protection manager.
- Beer cheese in prep unit small serving cup with white growths, no date on item.
- Observed bananas and avocados with dry clothes and napkins stored on top.
- Observed food containers stacked in clean dish area with sticker residue still attached.
- Observed items in RIC prep unit to be holding temperature of above 41F.
- Observed multiple items in all units with out date marks. Items that were prepared the day prior had date marks adhered.
- Observed cooked chicken with discard date of 4/23.
#8 Mr Tokyo
10012 BENFIELD RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28269
Scored 90 (A) on 4/24/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed employee with a cup with no lid drinking and eating a meal at a prep area.
- Observed roll of plastic wrap sitting on handsink at sushi bar.
- Observed dishes that PIC stated were clean sitting on a metal pan holding dirty water. Rim of clean dishes was in the dirty water.
- Observed 2 containers of raw steak in reach in cooler at 47 F. Steak was prepared yesterday and placed in large deep plastic containers with lids on then stacked up.
- Observed spicy tuna at 45F and tuna at 44 F in sushi display.
- Observed chicken in reach in with no date label.
- Observed cream cheese, tempura shrimp, and sweet potatoes with no time labels.
#7 Metro Diner
8334 PINEVILLE-MATTHEWS RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28226
Scored 89 (B) on 4/10/2022 (rescored 98.5 (A) on 4/19)
They had the following violations;
- Observed employee drink stored on shelf above clean food containers.
- Observed food employee use bare hands to turn off faucet after washing hands.
- Observed several clean plates and bowls with visible food residue.
- Observed several food items at steam table between 50 F and 80 F that would not reach required temperature with 2 hours without EHS intervention.
- Observed home fries and turkey sausage below 135 F at heat lamp.
- Observed cut lettuce, sliced tomato, and sliced American cheese in prep top above 41 F.
- Observed Caesar dressing on menu without consumer advisory. PIC stated that raw shell eggs are used as an ingredient in Caesar dressing and it is not cooked.
#6 Subway
4023 BROOKSHIRE BV, CHARLOTTE, NC 28216
Scored 89 (B) on 4/5/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed no CFPM on duty.
- Observed 2 employees handle money and then put on gloves and began to make sandwiches without washing their hands.
- Observed tomato slicer with food debris. CDI PIC moved to 3 comp sink.
- Observed turkey and steak in prep unit at 44-46F.
- Observed pan of portioned steak in WIC above 41F that was prepped yesterday.
- Observed opened bags of lettuce, spinach, and cheese in WIC not date marked.
- Observed 6 bottles of chemicals hanging above 3 comp sink.
#5 Sunset Hills Golf
800 RADIO RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28216
Scored 88.5 (B) on 4/13/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC with insufficient knowledge of Food Code.
- Observed no CFPM on duty.
- Observed PIC go back and forth between checking golfers in on computer to handling food without washing his hands.
- Observed no hand wash sign at hand sink in kitchen.
- Observed black build up on inside of ice machine lid and on shield inside.
- Observed build up on soda machine nozzles.
- Observed hotdogs being heated in warmer.
- Observed all the hotdogs that are being held in warmer at 120F.
#4 RiRa Sandwich Bar and Cafe
214 N TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28202
Scored 87 (B) on 4/25/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed through discussion and observation lack of knowledge of food storage practices.
- Observed no CFPM on site during inspection.
- Observed raw eggs stored over ready to eat items in reach in cooler.
- Observed sliced deli meats (turkey and ham) cooling in reach in cooler from 8am.
- Observed TCS breakfast sandwiches and cooked sausage patties stored on speed rack at room temperature.
- Observed several items in main prep top above 41F including roast beef and cheeses.
- Observed cut melons and yogurt in grab and go fridge above 41F.
- Observed roast beef in smaller prep top above 41F.
- Observed no date mark on pan of artichokes in prep top.
- Observed no date mark on opened almond milks in reach in cooler. Employee stated they were opened on Friday.
- Observed feta from 4/13, artichokes from 4/17, and ham from 4/17.
#3 Original NY Bagels
9810 GILEAD RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28078
Scored 86 (B) on 4/4/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed lack of Active Managerial Control
- Observed no certified food protection manager on staff at the time of inspection.
- Observed no written policy for vomit & diarrhea cleanup.
- Observed slicer and plastic container stored as clean soiled with food waste.
- Observed food waste buildup inside microwave in kitchen.
- Observed black buildup forming on plate inside ice machine.
- Observed chicken salad, egg salad, and tuna salad cooling in large reach in cooler.
- Observed food in display cooler and in prep cooler above 41F.
- Observed turkey bacon, corned beef, pastrami, and roast beef in small prep reach in with no date labels.
- Observed home fries, melon/fruit cups, and ham in display case with no dates.
#2 Tikka Shack
400 S TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28202
Scored 85.5 (B) on 4/25/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed further training needed in all areas of food prep evidenced by cooling, improper handwashing (monitoring handwashing), improper holding temperatures, and cleaning processes of dishes.
- Observed no CFPM on site.
- Observed employee filling pitcher with water at the handsink.
- Observed raw chicken stored over lamb on a speed rack in the walk-in.
- Observed employee wash hands with gloves on.
- Observed stacked plastic containers stored with remnants of date labels and date label residue remaining. Ensure that all labels are removed from containers prior to or during the washing process.
- Observed several bowls stacked and stored as clean with food debris on them.
- Observed chicken that PIC stated was cooked, being pulled from the oven. Chicken was cooked to 145-180F. Several pieces throughout the 4 pans were below the critical limit of 165F.
- Observed chicken reheating in steam well for just before 2 hours still at 89F. Observed chicken placed in steam well at 3pm, per employee, that at 340pm, was still 41F.
- Observed paneer cooling in the walk in room in a deep, covered lexan. Employee stated that product is cut and placed into cold water from the tap (water measured at 70F today) as part of the recipe. The product then cools overnight for use the next morning.
- Observed spinach sauce cooling in a deep, covered lexan. Product was placed in an ice bath with stirring, and only dropped 1F over 40 min. Product was then moved to a shallow pan with no lid and placed in the walk in cooler. Product then exceeded the required cooling rate.
- Observed canned chick peas cooling in prep top after more than 4 hours, per employees.
- Observed cooked rice sitting on the counter for more than 2 hours, per employee. Product was 100F.
- Observed rice in the warmer holding below 135F.
- Observed mango lassie in grab and go cooler above 41F on the middle shelf.
- Observed no date marking on items throughout facility.
#1 Harris Food Mart
8400 OLD STATESVILLE RD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28269
Scored 85.5 (B) on 4/17/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed food employee go from washing dishes to handling food without washing her hands.
- Observed prep sink with hair and debris.
- Observed no sign, soap, or paper towels at remodeled women restroom hand sink.
- Observed raw chicken on shelf with corn.
- Observed pooled eggs on shelf with lunch meat and cheese slices.
- Observed several containers, pans, and utensils with food debris and residue stored as clean.
- Observed chicken tenders, fries, and fried eggs in Hot Box at 120F.
- Observed pooled raw eggs in low prep unit cooler at 44F.
- Observed bologna, cheese, and liver mush in reach in with no DM.
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.