Lenoir County restaurant inspections from Aug. 21 through Sept. 4

The following restaurant inspections were conducted by the Lenoir County Health Department:

Fat Baby's Country Cooking

1215 Green Haynes Road, Kinston

Score: 98.5

Inspection date: 8/21

Observations:

Need better fly control;

Floors need to be cleaned;

Sugar Hill Pizzeria

211 North Herritage Street, Kinston

Score: 96

Inspection date: 8/21

Observations:

Employee pushed calzone off paddle and cut calzone with bare hands;

Sanitizer in three-compartment sink was not strong enough;

Meat sauce in reach-in cooked the day before was 55F - shall be cooled from 135F to 70F in two hours and from 70F to 45F in four hours - food was discarded;

Use methods such as shallow pans, ice paddles, and stirring frequently to cool food within six hours;

Flies in kitchen;

Employee observed prepping food without hat or hair net;

Sanitizer in wiping cloth bucket was weak;

Subway

401 E. New Bern Road, Kinston

Score: 95.5

Inspection date: 8/21

Observations: 

There must be a certified food protection manager on site all hours of operation;

Need to wear proper hair restraint when handling food;

Improper air-drying of pans - water sitting on edges;

Inside of walk-in, refrigeration units and shelving need to be cleaned;

Taqueria El Merendero

708 South Front Street, Pink Hill

Score: 97

Inspection date: 8/22

Observations:

No certified food protection manager present;

Employee came in from outside and returned to work before washing hands;

Beans in prep cooked in the morning were 50F with an hour left to complete cooling - use shallow pans, ice bath, freezer, and remove lid to bring temperature within six hours;

Take-out trays stored exposed;

Restroom door self-closures not working properly;

Ken's Grill

7645 U.S. 70 West, La Grange

Score: 94

Inspection date: 8/23

Observations:

Chicken in reach-in stored above ground beef;

Some dishes and ice machine dispenser was visibly dirty;

Many flies and gnats present;

No sanitizer in wiping cloth bucket;

Cabinets, shelving, and drawer in disrepair;

Chopping block was being washed in can wash;

Cart beside ice cream cooler, grill, shelving in pit, toaster and drawers need additional cleaning;

Dumpster lid open;

Dumpster lid is broken;

Pit room and kitchen floors and walls need additional cleaning;

Hardee's

1344 U.S. 258 South, Kinston

Score: 95

Inspection date: 8/27

Observations:

Many items in walk-in are 45F with exception of lettuce that was recently placed in unit;

Fan/condenser in walk-in freezer is dripping and refreezing on boxes of food;

Biscuit pans not air dried;

Clean table-mounted equipment, legs, filters, hoods, wire shelving in walk-in;

All trash receptacles in women's bathroom shall be covered;

Hwy 55 

4030 West Vernon Avenue, Kinston

Score: 97

Inspection date: 8/28

Observations:

There must be a certified food protection manager on site all hours of operation;

Inside of refrigeration units need to be cleaned;

Mops should be stored handle up;

Aggie's Steak and Subs

909-D West Vernon Avenue, Kinston

Score: 97.5

Inspection date: 8/28

Observations:

Remember to date mark foods that will be held over 24 hours;

Reminder - rewash hands in kitchen;

Both buckets for wet wiping cloths did not register proper sanitizing strength;

Pans stored above utensil sink are stacked wet;

Microwave needs cleaning inside and out;

Ground area around dumpster has trash scattered;

Bojangles

3007 North Herritage Street, Kinston

Score: 94

Inspection date: 8/29

Observations:

Fried steak and patty sausage were less than 135F;

Ham and smoked sausage in drawers below stove were 60-65F;

Many flies in kitchen;

Sanitizer in wiping-cloth bucket in biscuit area was soiled;

Hand-sink in biscuit making area needs additional cleaning;

Smith's Cafe

2424 U.S. 258 North, Kinston

Score: 95

Inspection date: 9/4

Observations:

No certified food protection manager present;

Employee mixing chicken salad with bare hands;

Mashed potatoes, hamburger steak, and cabbage were less than 135F;

Eggs left on prep table were 77F - must be held at 45F or below;

Hardee's

4171 West Vernon Avenue, Kinston

Score: 95

Inspection date: 9/4

Observations:

One pan of hot dogs in walk-in had correct current date on actual packaging while pan had different date - be sure clean pans are used when replacing product;

Lettuce and tomatoes on prep line were approximately 30 minutes overdue for changing;

One thermometer is still out of calibration;

Pans are still being stacked wet;

Mini-door of walk-in not closing completely;

Backs of biscuit pans need better cleaning