Health inspectors found everything from expired food and improper food temperatures to pest activity and cross-contamination issues during Mecklenburg County restaurant inspections in May.

While most restaurants earned A grades, several establishments received lower scores after inspectors documented food safety violations that could increase the risk of foodborne illness if left uncorrected.

Below are the 10 worst restaurant inspection scores reported in Mecklenburg County during May 2026, ranked from #10 to #1.

10. 131 Main SouthPark – 90.5

5970 Fairview Rd., Charlotte

Inspectors cited the restaurant for several food safety concerns, including temperature control issues and potential cross-contamination.

Notable observations:

• “Observed 1/2 chickens hot holding at 102F.”
• “Observed several foods > 41F in units on line.”
• “Observed cross contamination of cooked meats by using the same pan for raw meat as cooked meat.”
• “Observed employee drinks on counter in expo area.”
• “Observed containers wet stacked.”

9. Superica Strawberry Hill – 90

4223 Providence Rd., Charlotte

Inspectors noted repeat violations involving handwashing, food-contact surfaces, and food storage practices.

Notable observations:

• “Observed food employee adjust hat and wipe face with gloved hands then continue food prep.”
• “Observed employee go from handling dirty dishes to clean dishes without hand wash and gloves change.”
• “Observed dishes stacked/stored as clean with visible food debris.”
• “Observed food items held for more than 7 days.”
• “Observed visible debris in hand washing sink.”

8. Naked Farmer South End – 90

2725 South Blvd., Charlotte

Inspectors documented several temperature-control violations involving cooked foods and time-as-a-public-health-control procedures.

Notable observations:

• “Observed approximately 15 pans of mac and cheese” that failed cooling requirements.
• “Observed cooked steak and Mac and cheese being held in warmer below 135F.”
• “Observed cut tomatoes, quinoa, cabbage, garlic oil, chili sauce and vegan chili sauce that were holding above 41F.”
• “Observed chicken salad, cut tomatoes, quinoa and cabbage without date marks present.”
• “Facility actively reheating food that had been held beyond the allotted 4 hours.”

7. The Smoke Pit Arboretum – 90

8136 Providence Rd., Charlotte

Inspectors found several food temperature violations and cooling issues.

Notable observations:

• “Observed broccoli salad with cheese prepared and cooling from 9am but not reach cooling parameters.”
• “Observed brisket, chicken fingers and fried okra hot held below 135 degrees F.”
• “Observed ribs hot held on grill at 104 degrees.”
• “Observed sausage link hot held at 114 degrees F.”
• “Observed several flies and fruit flies.”

6. Mezeh Mediterranean Grill Strawberry Hill – 90

4920 Old Sardis Rd., Charlotte

Inspectors cited handwashing, temperature control, and chemical storage violations.

Notable observations:

• “Observed employee report to work for shift and come directly into kitchen and put on gloves to begin food prep without first washing hands.”
• “Observed employee wearing gloves at grill station wipe cutting boards and knives with sanitizer towels and then go back to food preparation without changing gloves or washing hands.”
• “Observed falafel in steam well on line at 130F.”
• “Observed two spray bottles of chemicals unlabeled.”
• “Observed bottle of grill cleaner stored on shelf above bags of rice.”

5. Mac’s Speed Shop – Cornelius – 90

19601 Liverpool Pkwy., Cornelius

Inspectors found equipment failures affecting food safety and cold storage.

Notable observations:

• “Observed 0ppm chlorine in the dish machine due to a broken tube.”
• “Observed 43-44 TCS foods in the walk-in cooler.”
• “All TCS items were voluntarily discarded.”
• “Observed cooked sausages past the 7-day date mark.”
• “If inside WIC is not working tomorrow, establishment will not be allowed to open.”
• “Observed a broken walk-in cooler door that does not close properly.”

4. NY Restaurant – Cornelius – 88

20121 N. Main St., Suite D, Cornelius

Inspectors documented numerous repeat violations involving food handling, labeling, and storage.

Notable observations:

• “Observed three employee drinks stored on prep surfaces or equipment.”
• “Observed a box of raw chicken stored on top of a box of raw broccoli.”
• “Observed raw shrimp stored behind cooked items in the prep cooler.”
• “Observed missing date marks for cooked chicken, pork and chopped cabbage.”
• “Observed no time labels for TPHC chicken wings and egg rolls on the counter.”
• “Observed unapproved insecticide/pesticide with labels from China.”
• “Observed rusting shelves in the walk-in cooler.”
• “Observed residue and spider webs on the back wall of the establishment.”

3. Red Lobster – Pineville – 87

9415 Pineville-Matthews Rd., Pineville

Inspectors noted several repeat violations and announced plans for a risk-control review.

Notable observations:

• “Observed leaking fan in WIC dropping large amount of water onto food below.”
• “Observed numerous containers and utensils stored as clean with visible food debris, grease, soap, and/or date mark sticker still remaining.”
• “Observed TCS dressings in ice bath at expo lowboy between 48-52F.”
• “Observed portioned crab dip in cook line cold drawer expired yesterday.”
• “Observed in use utensils covered in food debris.”
• “Observed food debris and orange residue accumulating inside conveyor dish machine.”
• “Observed standing water at floor drain.”
• “This is the fifth consecutive inspection with cold holding out of compliance.”

2. El Tropico Restaurant – 87

4335 N. Tryon St., Charlotte

Inspectors found widespread food handling, storage, cooling, and date-marking violations.

Notable observations:

• “Observed raw beef stored over unwashed produce in WIC.”
• “Observed raw frozen hamburger patties and raw bags of seafood stored over fries.”
• “Observed food debris on dishes stored as clean.”
• “Observed beans, pico de gallo and habanero salsa prepared prior day that did not meet cooling parameters.”
• “Observed some items in WIC above 41F.”
• “Observed items missing date mark.”
• “Observed items past date mark.”
• “Observed 2 bottles of raid and one bottle of fire ant spray.”
• “Observed dead pest on clean dish.”
• “Observed flying pests.”
• “Observed back door open for majority of inspection.”

1. El Carbonero – 78

4400 Central Ave., Charlotte

El Carbonero received the lowest score reported in Mecklenburg County during May. Inspectors documented a lengthy list of repeat and priority violations and issued an Intent to Suspend related to date-marking violations.

Notable observations:

• “Observed food employee handling raw carne asada and then go to handle spice containers, date marking stickers, and pen without washing hands.”
• “Observed food employee handle raw fish and then go to handle water handle on coffee machine without washing hands.”
• “Observed raw bacon in container with RTE ham.”
• “Observed multiple items in refrigerators and coolers with no protective coverings.”
• “Observed box of unwashed peppers stored over RTE beans.”
• “Observed all items in top of meat prep unit above 41F.”
• “Observed multiple items past date mark, missing date marks, or improperly date marked.”
• “Observed multiple squeeze bottles and containers with spices on cook line with no labels.”
• “Observed 2 dead pests on wall near dish machine power box.”
• “Observed flying pest.”
• “Observed oil stored on floor in dry storage area.”
• “Observed wet stacking with dishes stored as clean.”
• “Observed rust buildup on bottom shelves.”
• “Observed rusted shelving throughout.”
• “Observed tops and sides of equipment in need of cleaning throughout.”
• “Observed cracked floor tiles.”
• “Observed broken refrigeration units being used for storage.”

Health inspection scores can change quickly as restaurants correct violations and undergo follow-up inspections. Mecklenburg County health inspectors routinely revisit establishments to verify corrections and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.

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.