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 starting to use infrared thermometers to avoid this).
These were the top 10 worst inspection scores in Charlotte for May 2024;
#10 Yume Bistro
1508 S MINT ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28203
Scored 90 (A) on 5/20/2024
They had the following violations;
- Hand washing sink blocked by cart.
- PIC does not have invoice for orange clams.
- Pink powder in walk-in freezer has no English ingredients or any information on it in English.
- Pink snapper on specials menu is in reality sea bream.
- No physical tag present for 2 pans of clams in walk-in cooler.
- Raw fish stored on shelf above curry in walk-in cooler.
- Raw squid stored on same plate as pre-cooked octopus in sushi display cooler.
- Raw fish stored on shelf above pre-cooked crab in sushi reach-in cooler.
- Various utensils found on clean utensil shelf had visible food debris/residue on them.
- Curry and shiitake mushrooms in walk-in cooler were dated as being prepared on 5-8.
- Tomatoes in bottom of sandwich cooler were dated as being prepared on 5-10.
- No consumer advisory present on specials menu that has raw items on it.
#9 Waffle House
3309 QUEEN CITY DR, CHARLOTTE NC 28208
Scored 88.5 (B) on 5/2/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed cook not wash their hands after contaminating them by cracking eggs, and continued to prepare food for example bread, bacon, and cheese.
- Observed cook pick up food from the floor with a rag proceeded to discard rag and don on new gloves to work with food without washing hands.
- Observed raw pork next to raw chicken side by side on last shelve in RIC#3.
- Observed container of milk expired from 05/01/24.
- Observed chocolate milk and 2%milk open without any date marking.
- Observed a few dry heavily soiled wiping cloths near grill area.
- Observed scoop buried inside harsh browns touching in flip top.
- Observed stored clean tray holding clean coffee cups soiled with food build up.
#8 Supermercado El Mariachi Restaurant
6301 N TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 282133
Scored 88 (B) on 5/15/2024 (rescored to 94.5 on 5/29)
They had the following violations;
- Observed wrapped, packaged in house ground beef for sale with no safer handling instructions.
- Observed raw pork stored above RTE foods inside the WIC.
- Observed Beans at 85F at 1:40 PM.
- Observed large pan of rice HH on the stove top at 120F.
- Observed multiple TCS food items stored inside the WIC above 41F.
- Observed cooked pork, cooked chorizo, soup prepared the previous day with no date marking.
#7 Nick’s Gyros & Seafood
1600 REMOUNT RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28208
Scored 87 (B) on 5/14/2024 (rescored to 92.5 on 5/30)
They had the following violations;
- Observed several priority item violations during inspection.
- Observed two food employees wash hands for less than 20 seconds.
- Observed 3 food employees wash hands and not use a barrier to turn off the faucet.
- Observed food employee return to work station from outside without washing hands.
- Observed food employee empty trash can and return to food prep.
- Observed PIC touch RTE chicken wings with bare hands to check temperature.
- Observed ice cubes in handwashing sink. Observed food employee dump ice in handwashing sink.
- Observed no paper towels at handwashing sink.
- Observed raw fish stored over RTE to chicken wings in WIC.
- Observed food debris and greasy residue on dishes stored as clean.
- Observed two containers of chicken wings prepared more than 2hours ago above 70F.
- Observed items in prep unit, RIC and WIC above 41F. Refer to temperature chart.
- Observed ambient air of prep unit at 48F and WIC at 48F.
- Observed no written TPHC procedures for items being held on time.
- Observed toxic spray bottles with no labels.
- Observed a bottle of hot shot.
#6 RiRa Irish Pub & Restaurant
208 N TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28202
Scored 86.5 (B) on 5/15/2024 (rescored to 90 on 5/21)
They had the following violations;
- Observed some lack of control of kitchen processes as evidenced by improper cooling of prepped foods and improper cold holding temperatures.
- Observed bowls with food debris stored as clean, and Tongs with food debris stored as clean.
- Observed lids and utensils stored as clean with food debris and crumbs present.
- Observed ice machine in street level kitchen with pink build up near chute.
- Observed meat, cheese and fruit trays cooling in reach in cooler with 45 min left to cool prior to sale for an in house catered party.
- Observed curry and beer cheese holding in steam table below 135F.
- Observed prep top cooler for salads holding items above 41F.
- Observed veggie burgers in prep top cooler date marked for 5/8.
- Observed sausage rolls from 5/7 in reach in.
- Observed no date mark on pico, pasta, caramelized onions, or goat cheese in prep top coolers.
- Observed one dead cockroach in basement near liquor room.
#5 Popeyes
4422 SUNSET RD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28216
Scored 86.5 (B) on 5/30/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed employee eating while in the middle of washing dishes
- Observed employee sitting outside on break.
- Observed employee come in from outside with gloves on and started to prep chicken.
- Observed No hand washing signs in both male and female bathrooms 5-205.11
- Observed hand wash sink with food debris and cleaner in sink.
- Observed no paper towels or other alternative at 2 hand sinks.
- Observed no soap at 2 hand wash sinks.
- Observed black build up on soda nozzles and ice shoot.
- Observed cavity of both microwaves with large amount of spills.
- Observed Shrimp and chicken below 135F.
#4 LoSo Tavern
4548 OLD PINEVILLE RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28217
Scored 86.5 (B) on 5/16/2024 (rescored to 94 on 5/29)
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC not able to answer questions about food prep/ingredients, questions relating to food borne disease, multiple priority violations and without CFPM.
- Observed PIC not able to answer questions related to foodborne disease despite having literature posted.
- Observed food employee wash hands for less than 20 seconds and not use a barrier to turn off the faucet.
- Observed another food employee wash hands for less than 20 seconds.
- Observed food employee change gloves after working with raw food to switch to working to RTE foods without washing hands.
- Observed keg stored in front of handwashing sink.
- Observed no lid on corned beef, gyros, sauerkraut, broccoli and raw chicken in RI cooler.
- Observed no lid on chicken wings stored in lowboy.
- Observed food debris on dishes stored as clean.
- Observed queso, chili and wings prepared yesterday above 41F.
- Observed blue cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, raw chicken, raw shrimp and raw fish above 41F in prep unit #2.
- Observed ambient air of prep unit #2 at 50F.
- Observed green beans, chicken wings, chicken strips, shredded cheese and provolone cheese in WIC #1 above 41F.
- Observed ambient air of unit at 47F.
- Observed cream cheese, milk, cut cabbage, cut lettuce heads, green beans and greens at WIC #2 above 41F.
- Observed ambient air of unit at 44F.
- Observed turkey in RIC with 2 dates: 5/9 (discard 5/15) & 5/12.
- Observed chicken salad dated 5/7 (discard 5/13).
- Observed 2 heavy creams and a milk in display RI with no dates.
- Observed housemade chipotle ranch (with canned chipotle peppers) date marked 4/12 (discard 4/18) in display RI.
- Observed pizza sauce date marked 4/24 (discard 4/30) and tomato sauce and chicken wings with no date in lowboy.
- Observed green beans, chicken wings and chicken strips in WIC #1 with no dates.
- Observed milk in WIC # 2 with no date.
- Observed spray bottle with no label. Per PIC, item was sanitizer.
#3 Eastway Express
1500 EASTWAY DR, CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Scored 86.5 (B) on 5/20/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed that PIC was not knowledgeable of Cooling parameters and cold holding temperature requirements.
- Observed open employee drink on prep table.
- Observed No paper towels at back handwashing sink.
- Observed no soap at back handwashing sink.
- Observed toothbrush and toothpaste at handwashing sink. Also observed employee sanitize sink and move items from sink.
- Observed utensils stored as clean with food debris.
- Observed employee washing pans and not sanitizing them.
- Observed inside of ice machine with buildup.
- Observed cooked steak cooling in WIC for 2.5 hours still at 73F.
- Observed bologna, livermush, and pork sausage in WIC above 41F.
- Observed opened packs of livermush, bologna, and sausage not date marked.
- Observed sour cream past use by date .
#2 Deejai Noodle Bar
3629 N DAVIDSON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Scored 85 (B) on 5/9/2024 (rescored to 92 on 5/29)
They had the following violations;
- PIC was not present at the beginning of the inspection.
- Observed food employees with no signed documentation to confirm employee knowledge of responsibility to report symptoms.
- Observed food employee wash hands and did not use paper towel barrier to turn off faucet to prevent contaminating hands.
- Observed food employee bare hand contact sliced tomatoes.
- Observed sauce bottle stored inside the hand sink at sushi prep.
- Observed food employee wash tomatoes at hand sink.
- Observed large amount of mold-like growth on/inside large container of soy sauce.
- Observed raw shell eggs stored above sweet potato fries and other RTE foods inside the prep unit.
- Observed raw salmon stored above RTE foods inside the WIC.
- Observed QUAT sanitizer at 3 compartment sink at 50 PPM.
- Observed food contact surface of slicer and pans stored as clean, with food debris present on food contact surfaces.
- Observed chicken and pre-cooked duck thawed the previous day and placed inside the WIC cooler to cool to 41F overnight. Items were observed at 44F and 49F. Both items missed the 4 hour ambient window for cooling to 41F.
- Observed fish roe, pork dumplings, rice noodles held above 41F in prep units on cook line.
- Observed bean sprouts, sliced tomatoes, house-made tamarind sauce prepared greater Thames 24 hours before inspection/storage with no date marking.
- Observed all TCS food items stored inside 3 prep units date marked to be held 8 days instead of 7 days.
- Observed 3 cans of household raid bug spray inside the kitchen.
#1 Cottage Restaurant
1704 HARRIS HOUSTON RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28262
Scored 85 (B) on 5/23/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed employee go to work at the register, then go to the back kitchen and prepare food.
- Observed raw salmon and tuna stored over cooked chicken.
- Observed meat grinder and egg roll baskets in need of cleaning.
- Observed knives stored in areas with build up and residue.
- Observed chicken, tuna, salmon, egg rolls in low reach in holding above 41F.
- Observed crab, shrimp and pork holding above 41F in the prep top unit.
- Observed pan of pork and egg rolls without a date.
- Observed sanitizer at 0ppm.
- Observed several flies in the kitchen area.
- Observed employee food stored with customer food items throughout kitchen.
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.
