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 March, 2025;
#10 Romeo’s Vegan Burgers
5518 SOUTH BV, CHARLOTTE NC 28217
Scored 88.5 (B) on 3/12/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed cheese sauce in WIC with mold accumulating on surface of cheese.
- Observed numerous items in make table above 41F (see temp chart).
- Observed container of pico and slaw beyond the 7 day holding mark.
- Observed cooked onions held on time; facility has TPHC forms available correctly filled out but no label was or documentation was created indicating what time the onions were cooked/discarded.
- Observed unapproved can of raid spray at three compartment sink.
- Observed numerous sauce bottles without labels in make table.
- Observed container of sugar in dry storage without label.
- Observed seasoning by grill and bottle of oil without label.
#9 Queen City Grounds
644 N CHURCH ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28202
Scored 88.5 (B) on 3/20/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed no PIC present.
- Observed boxes of unwashed tomatoes, peppers and onions stored over ready to eat foods.
- Observed 3 cutting boards not washed within 4 hour period. Employees prepare food directly on boards. Boards have been in use since 6:00am.
- Observed provolone, peppers jack, American cheeses, ham, turkey and vegan bacon holding above 41F.
- Observed no procedures for TPHC.
- Observed spray bottles of cleaners stored with food and single service items.
- Observed food stored on the floor.
- Observed stir spoons and utensils in 63F water/ sanitizer mix.
#8 Desi District Restaurant
11812 CAROLINA PLACE PY, PINEVILLE NC 28134
Scored 88 (B) on 3/18/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC on site did not have ANSI accredited certified food protection manager certification.
- Observed employee rinsing container at handwashing sink.
- Observed soap missing from handwashing sink on prep line.
- Observed no towels at 2 handwashing sinks in kitchen.
- Observed potato sauce and vegetable cooling in deep containers in walk in cooler between 43-48 degrees F from proper day.
- Observed several containers or rice and sauce held on racks and table below 135 degrees F.
- Observed TCS items in hot holding case below 135 degrees F.
- Observed cook top cleaner stored next to produce.
- Observed bleach stored on shelf above prep sink and bleach stored over clean linen on rack.
- Observed potatoe sauce and vegetable cooling in deep containers in walk in cooler between 43-48 degrees F from proper day.
#7 Irie Nation
440 EAST MCCULOUGH DR., CHARLOTTE NC 28262
Scored 88 (B) on 3/27/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed food employee not wash hands between food preparation.
- Observed containers, and cloths stored in hand sink in kitchen area.
- Observed macaroni and cheese on steam table that was held below 135 F.
- Observed food stored in walk-in cooler that was not dated and held over 24 hours.
- Observed salmon thawing in refrigerator in bags that was not cut for thawing.
- Observed fish thawing in standing water without agitation at prep sink in kitchen area.
- Observed food items stored in walk-in cooler that were held below 41 F but not covered.
- Observed stacks of containers at 3-comp sink that were stacked wet.
#6 West End Tavern
2817 ROZZELLES FERRY RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28208
Scored 87 (B) on 3/28/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed no CFPM on duty during inspection. During reinspection observed repeat and other high priority violations during inspection. Little to no knowledge regarding date marking, storage order, and cold holding procedures from PICs during reinspection EHS provided education during reinspection on high priority violations.
- Observed open bag of raw fish stored over unsealed bags of French fries in RIF.
- Observed raw philly steak stored on top of open bag of French fries in low boy freezer.
- Observed utensils and equipment coming out of dish washer with 0PPM.
- Observed cooked chicken wings and bow-tie pasted in individually wrapped bags above 41F from yesterday in WIC.
- Observed buttermilk mixture for preparing raw fish above 41F in ice bath around 11AM according to cook.
- Observed opened tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, salsa, shredded lettuce, and cooked bow-tie pasta in flip top unit without any date marking.
- Observed opened tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, salsa, shredded lettuce, and cooked bow-tie pasta in flip top unit without any date marking.
- Observed reheated queso dip with incorrect date marking in WIC.
#5 American Deli
3126 MILTON RD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28215
Scored 86 (B) on 3/24/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC is not CFPM and had multiple repeat priority violation today.
- Observed no CFPM on duty during the inspection.
- Observed raw shrimp in a bowl above RTE vegetables in the reach in freezer.
- Observed employee wash and rinse a dish and then store as clean.
- Observed multiple TCS foods in the prep top above 41F.
- Observed scoopers being stored in bins with dry ingredients and are touching the food.
- Observed single service cups stored at cash register unprotected.
- Observed prep top not holding tcs foods at 41F or below.
- Observed facility using enlarge flour bin for chicken wings.
#4 Compare Foods Meat Market
2701 FREEDOM DR, CHARLOTTE NC 28208
Scored 86 (B) on 3/18/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed multiple priority violations and PIC showing a pattern of non-compliance of maintaining active managerial control duties.
- Observed PIC don new gloves with no hand wash to repackage/restack/relocate RTE smoked Turkey slices.
- Observed a handwashing sink blocked by a cart next to 3-comp sink.
- Observed no paper towels at handwash sink next to beef prep table.
- Observed no shellstock tags being maintained for required 90 days.
- Observed ready-to-eat smoked/sliced turkey legs stored in same pushcart, unwrapped side-by side and on top.
- Observed tray of ground turkey stored above pork chops on speed rack.
- Observed raw steak, thin sliced beef, & marinated beef stored inside the display case above 41F.
- Observed RTE crab legs above 41F on ice at seafood display.
- Observed multiple chubs of ham stored in the display case with no date mark.
#3 Shanes Rib Shack
5220 NEW FASHION WY, CHARLOTTE NC 28278
Scored 85 (B) on 3/18/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed an employee enter the kitchen from an unknown area and immediately don gloves and attempt to prepare orders without washing their hands first.
- Observed the cookline handwash sink at 94F.
- Observed no paper towels provided at the kitchen cookline handwash sink and the paper towel dispenser at the front counter handwash sink to be broken.
- Observed one dented can of peaches stored on the can rack amongst intact cans.
- Observed bulk containers of sugar, brown sugar, flour, and BBQ sauce to be stored on a lower prep shelf and dry storage shelf without a lid.
- Observed the majority of dishes stored as clean on the racks by the mop sink to be contaminated with sticker residue, food debris, and a layer of grease.
- Observed the food contact surfaces of the table mounted can opener to be covered in an accumulation of food debris/grime.
- Observed the ice deflector in the ice machine to have a buildup of black grime.
- Observed a box of single portion sour cream tubes stored in the RIC at the kitchen entrance at a temperature of 47-50F.
- Observed one container of coleslaw in the cookline lowboy refrigerator and 2 large pans of cooked and cooled chicken tenders in the cookline RIC that were not provided with date marks.
#2 Lula Banh Mi
10400 CENTRUM PY, PINEVILLE NC 28134
Scored 84 (B) on 3/26/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed multiple priority and priority foundation violations during the inspection.
- Observed no certified service safe manager present at the start of the inspection.
- Observed employee beverages without lids stored on prep surfaces at the start of inspection.
- Observed handwashing sink at front counter being used as a dump sink.
- Observed a dented can in dry storage.
- Observed ready to eat product stored beside uncooked pork and below unwashed vegetables in the walk-in cooler.
- Observed ready to eat food, unwashed vegetables and washed vegetables stored together on a shelf in the walk-in cooler with no separation between products.
- Observed multiple metal pans, metal scoops, food processor and the vertical cutter mixer stored as clean with visible food debris.
- Observed two container of milk, cut tomatoes and cooked pork without date marks.
- Observed boxes of dry food goods stored on floor in dry good area outside of restrooms.
#1 New York Old School Bagel & Deli
7510 PINEVILLE-MATTHEWS RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28226
Scored 83 (B) on 3/31/2025
They had the following violations;
- Observed uncovered employee beverages under prep table.
- Observed a food employee wipe their face and wiping their hands on the apron and returned to food prep.
- Observed a hand sink blocked by a prep table during inspection.
- Observed stickers and marker in the handwashing sink closet to the cook line.
- Observed several utensils, bowls, bottles, and pans stored as clean with viable food debris.
- Observed plastic containers with stickers and sticker residue on them stacked and stored as clean.
- Observed two dented cans of tuna and a dented can of ketchup stored with non-damaged cans on a dry storage shelf.
- Observed two pre-portioned servings of cheese in the walk-in cooler at 48F and it was prepped on 3/28.
- Observed that a large amount of TCS items in the grill flip top prep unit that were holding above 41F.
- Observed sliced turkey, sliced ham, sundried tomatoes, half and half and several meat chubs in the walk-in coolers that were not date marked and were holding longer than 24 hours.
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.
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