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 May 2023;
#10 Chuy’s
7314 WAVERLY WALK AV, CHARLOTTE NC 28277
Scored 88.5 (B) on 5/30/2023
They had the following violations;
- A certified food protection manager was not onsite during inspection.
- Observed large stationary mixer, 4 pans and 1 knife with build up of food debris being stored as clean.
- Observed 6 deep plastic containers of tomatillo sauce covered and several deep plastic containers of shredded cheese covered cooling since yesterday and did not reach cooling parameters.
- Observed a container of Mexican rice hot holding on steam well at cook line being held at 131F.
- Observed pineapple pico de gallo, cut cabbage, sour cream, pico de gallo and shredded cheese all holding above 41F.
- Observed milk, salsa and crema jalapeño holding between 51-53F in salsa prep cooler 1 and salsa and individual portioned containers of salsa and crema jalepeno being held at 44F in salsa prep cooler 2.
- Observed cooked onion, cilantro and pepper mix being stored in grill drawer, pre cooked flautas, shrimp and chicken nuggets opened from their original packaging and shrimp on sheet pan in WIC all prepared or opened yesterday according to PIC missing date marks.
#9 Bobbee O’s BBQ
9401 STATESVILLE RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28269
Scored 88.5 (B) on 5/16/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC on duty w/out food safety training.
- Observed chub of ground beef stored above whole cuts of meat in the walk-in.
- Observed bulk dry containers in need of cleaning.
- Observed brisket, placed in freezer at 9:30 a.m., at temp above 70F at 1:30 p.m. Then observed 2 remaining whole cuts of brisket, temped at 4:00 p.m., at temp above 41F
- Observed all TCS foods in the walk-in at or above 50F.
- Observed bottle of bleach stored above boxed beverages.
- Observed bucket of chlorine sanitizer concentration above 200 ppm.
#8 Boston Market
1001 CHANCELLOR PARK DR, CHARLOTTE NC 28213
Scored 87 (B) on 5/17/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed several rick facor violations for the inspection (hot holding, date marking, storage order and dishes cleaned).
- Observed no paper towels at the two back handwashing sinks.
- Observed unwashed tomatoes and onions stored above ready to eat lettuce, pickles and sauces.
- Observed metal chicken holder soiled with old chicken debris while stored in the clean dish storage area.
- Observed container filled with utensils soiled at the bottom with food and debris.
- Observed containers soiled with old food debris in the clean dish storage area.
- Observed sweet potatoes, potatoes, macaroni in the hot box holding below 135F. Observed potaotes on the front line holding below 135F.
#7 Chuck’s Grill
8001 OLD STATESVILLE RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28269
Scored 86.5 (B) on 5/17/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed 2 employees change gloves with out washing hands.
- Observed employee handle raw eggs and not wash his hands and then continue cooking and handling utensils, Sliced cheese, and single service containers.
- Observed Raw ham above and in same pan as hot dogs and cooked ham in WIC.
- Observed raw ham above cooked sausage and liver much in reach in cooler.
- Observed Cooked potatoes cooling in reach in at 92F.
- Observed stewed tomatoes cooling in the prep cooler at 55F.
- Observed sausage being HH at 122F. PIC stated that were cooked at 1 hour ago.
- Observed sliced cheese and shelled eggs above 41F in prep top.
#6 China Express
315 S POLK ST, PINEVILLE, NC 28134
Scored 86 (B) on 5/23/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed a lack of managerial control. Establishment was observed with 6 priority/priority (Hand sinks supplied and accessible, Food-in good condition, safe & unadulterated, Food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized, proper cold holding, date marking, and labeling toxic substances) foundation items not in compliance.
- Observed no paper towel at the hand sink near the stove top and RIFs.
- Observed bell pepper inside the WIC with mold-like substance growing on it.
- Observed unwashed mushrooms stored above Chopped onions and peppers inside the WIC.
- Observed sauces stored uncovered inside the RIC at prep unit number 2.
- Observed fried rice and eggs stored uncovered inside the WIC.
- Observed pans stored as clean with food debris on the food contact surface.
- Observed dead pests (roaches) inside pans stored as clean.
- Observed meat grinder stored as clean, with meat residue and dripping meat juices when PIC removed plastic covering.
- Observed shrimp, chicken, pork, peas & carrots, lo mein, spring rolls, pot stickers, and chicken on a stick stored above 41F inside Prep Unit 1 and Prep Unit 2.
- Observed fried rice and chopped pork prepared the previous day with no date marking.
- Observed chemical spray bottle with no label.
#5 Pho at NoDa
2100 N DAVIDSON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Scored 86 (B) on 5/26/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed employee was hands for less than 20 seconds.
- Observed cleaner spray bottle, scrubber cleaning tools, a personal water bottle inside handsink beside three comp sink that was also covered with two cutting boards.
- Observed cooked noodles in bottom of second hand sink beside drying rack.
- Observed raw shell eggs stored directly over imitation crab and vegetables in prep top cooler.
- Observed rice bowls with visible food debris stored as clean.
- Observed food buildup on food contact surfaces of slicer that had not yet been used today.
- Observed black buildup inside blender lid.
- Observed chlorine-based dishwasher in-use with sanitizer at 0ppm.
- Observed large pot of bone broth that was prepared previous evening at 79F inside WIC during inspection. Bone broth missed its cooling time.
- Observed rice in hot holding unit at 84F.
- Observed two boxes of beef hind tendons that were removed from WIC at 9am and left by PIC by prep sink until 11:40 at 58F.
- Observed cooked rice at 47F, cooked shrimp at 49F, cooked broccoli at 44F, tofu at 45F, and imitation crab at 48F in far left prep unit.
- Observed Hard boiled eggs, sliced pork loaf, rice, cooked chicken and cooked beef with no date marks.
- Observed two large containers of residential pesticides near the 3 comp sink.
#4 La Unica Mexican Restaurant
900 NC MUSIC FACTORY BLVD, CHARLOTTE NC 28206
Scored 84 (B) on 5/31/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC without knowledge of cold holding temperature requirements, hot holding temperature requirements, reheating for hot holding temperature requirements.
- Observed PIC that did not know how to test sanitation of dishwasher.
- Observed open cup of water on shelf over prep line and coffee mug stored directly on prep table.
- Observed employee filling food container with water at the hand sink.
- Observed unwashed lemons and oranges stored over washed, chopped lettuce. Observed unwashed tomatoes stored over washed, cut onions.
- Observed uncovered hard taco shells, sugar, seasoning, beans, queso, salsa, and sour cream.
- Observed raw chorizo and beef stored over avocados.
- Observed large can opener with food buildup and a knife stored as clean covered with grease and food debris.
- Observed chlorine based sanitizer at 0ppm.
- Observed reheated foods placed into hot holding unit below 165F.
- Observed chicken that was prepared at 9:15 at 46F at 4:46pm.
- Observed queso prepared at 11am that that did not reach 41F within 6 hours.
- Observed rice, beans, queso, barbacoa, pork, and steak in hot holding below 135F.
- Observed sliced ham, hot dogs, cooked mushrooms, octopus, crab, sliced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce in prep unit above 41F.
- Observed no date marks on sliced ham, hotdogs, cooked chicken tenders, wings, black beans, charro beans, open milk, and diced tomatoes.
- Observed a household bug spray for cockroaches stored near office.
- Observed an multiple unlabeled spray bottles containing a bleach ad degreaser throughout the kitchen.
#3 Original NY Bagels
610 JETTON RD, DAVIDSON NC 28036
Scored 84 (B) on 5/17/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed multiple priority violations, no CFPM for PIC and PIC unable to display active managerial control during inspection.
- Observed PIC on duty with no CFPM, stated that employee with CFPM is not working today.
- Observed opened employee Gatorade stored on prep table, directly next to deli meat slicer.
- Observed employee briefly rinsing hands in handsink (less than 10 seconds), not washing for at least 20 seconds and using bare hands to turn off faucet.
- Observed grill cook switching between cracking eggs on grill and handling ready to eat foods (bagels, deli meats, cheeses), changing gloves without a handwash in between.
- Observed no soap stocked at handsink near 3 comp sink.
- Observed handsink near 3 compartment sink blocked by large trash can that is propping the door open.
- Observed multiple TCS foods in walk in cooler holding above 41F.
- Observed multiple products in display case with date labels that had exceeded the 7 day limit.
- Observed large stocks of potato salad, pasta salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, several flavored cream cheeses with no date mark in the walk in cooler.
#2 Taqueria Gaviota Latina
3112 THE PLAZA, CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Scored 83.5 (B) on 5/31/2023
They had the following violations;
- Observed no CFPM in establishment during inspection.
- Observed no written procedures for responding to vomit/diarrheal events.
- Observed two employee drinks stored on prep table where foods were being prepared.
- Observed both food prep employees don gloves without prior hand wash.
- Observed employees rinse hands in 3 comp sink for less than twenty seconds, with no soap, and dry hands with a towel.
- Observed two containers of different types of rice at 43F in tall reachin.
- Observed bags of cut cantaloupe and watermelon without prep dates.
- Observed menudo prepared on 5/22 in reachin that was frozen and then thawed without a thaw date.
- Observed medication stored above clean utensils and dishes.
- Observed two unlabeled spray bottles. Employee stated these contained bleach.
- Observed household pesticides at establishment.
#1 Smokehouse CLT
9330 CENTER LAKE DR, CHARLOTTE, NC 28216
Scored 80 (B) on 5/4/2023 (rescored to 93.5 on 5/16/2023)
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC fail to demonstrate knowledge of proper cold holding temperatures, hot holding tempeartures, final cook temperatures, sanitizing concentrations, and how to conduct a food temperature check.
- Observed no CFPM in establishment during inspection.
- Observed PIC with limited knowledge of employee health, illnesses of concern, symptoms, and when to report illnesses.
- Observed no employee health signage in establishment.
- Observed no written procedures for responding to vomit/diarrheal events.
- Observed employee drinks stored on food prep and cooking equipment.
- Observed employee don gloves to prep food without conducting a handwash.
- Observed no soap at all three handwashing sinks in establishment (two kitchen handwashing sinks and handwashing sink in bar area).
- Observed raw beef stored above raw fish.
- Observed raw bacon stored above ready to eat commercially made sauces.
- Observed numerous metal pots, pans, plastic containers, and utensils stored as clean with build up of food residues and debris.
- Observed hot dogs, slaw, raw fish, and raw chicken holding in flip top cooler at temperatures between 46F and 49F.
- Observed cooked noodles and cooked greens in walk in cooler holding at temperatures between 45F and 47F.
- Observed cooked noodles, open package of hot dogs, cooked greens, coleslaw, and cooked ribs holding in flip top cooler and walk in cooler without date mark.
- Observed smokehouse burger served undercooked on main menu and eggs cooked to order on brunch menu without asterisks.
- Observed unlabeled spray bottles of unknown substance.
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.