Lenoir County restaurant inspections for Aug. 7-26

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

Dos Marias Grill & Cantina

131 South Caswell Street, La Grange

Score: 96

Inspection date: 8/7

Observations:

Employee washed hands and did not dry them or wash/scrub long enough;

Some plates, stainless dishes and knives were visibly dirty;

Wet wiping cloth left on prep area - shall be stored in stored in sanitizer solution;

Outside of microwave, shelving, inside of reach-in freezer and vent behind drying rack needs additional cleaning;

Taqueria El Merendero

708 South Front Street, Pink Hill

Score: 100

Inspection date: 8/8

Observations:

No observations or corrective actions listed;

Little J’s Pizza

402 East Washington Street, La Grange

Score: 98

Inspection date: 8/8

Observations:

Several temperatures in reach-in refrigerators were above 41F - shall be 41F or below;

Wet wiping cloth kept underneath drink machine - use a dry cloth or keep in sanitizer;

Thee Coffeehouse

231 N.C. 58 South - Building 2, Kinston

Score: 96.5

Inspection date: 8/13

Observations:

Employees need additional training on health policy;

Raw eggs product stored above ready-to-eat lunch meat and chicken;

Avocado reach-in temperature was 48F-50F; yogurt in unit was 48F; unit needs to be repaired to hold 41F;

Sanitizer in wiping cloth bucket was soiled;

Clean dishes stored on counter next to hand sink;

Ice scoop holders are rusty and have peeling paint;

Subway

401 East New Bern Road, Kinston

Score: 94.5

Inspection date: 8/13

Observations:

No certified food protection manager present;

Employees need additional training on health policy;

Several foods on serve line and in walk-in were above 41F - shall be at or below 41F;

Wet wiping cloth laying on counter and in bucket with no sanitizer;

Stickers on the outside of food containers need to be removed to keep them smooth and easily cleanable;

Dumpster missing plug;

Jin Jin Chinese Restaurant

304-B East Washington Street, La Grange

Score: 98

Inspection date: 8/13

Observations:

Back door does not reach floor and does not close completely;

Cloth used for wiping counter stored on hand sink;

Dumpster is beginning to rust and has a small hole in the bottom;

Lovick’s Cafe

320 North Herritage Street, Kinston

Score: 94.5

Inspection date: 8/14

Observations:

Additional training needed on employee health policy;

Food in hot drawers up front was less than 135F - must be at or above 135F;

Some food in prep unit such as lettuce and tomato in prep unit were above 41F - shall be at or below 41F;

Employees prepping food shall wear hair restraints, including wait staff that are going in kitchen;

Some wet wiping cloths in dish area - shall be stored in sanitizer between uses;

Some dishes were stacked wet - let dishes air dry;

Dishes on green shelf next to hand sink beside three-compartment sink exposed to splash and splatter;

Not in compliance - carts, shelving, inside and outside of equipment;

Murray’s

123 East Washington Street, La Grange

Score: 95

Inspection date: 8/15

Observations:

Mashed potatoes, raw chicken and collards were above 41F;

Large pans of rice cooling in reach-in temperatures ranging from 95F - 136F = recommended using shallow pans, ice baths, and/or freezer to cool food to 41F rapidly;

Mashed potatoes and mac and cheese thawing on top of steam well - thawing shall be done in refrigerator or under running water; some meat temperatures in small reach-in were above 41F;

As couple of thermometers were not properly calibrated;

Top of dish machine, shelving and inside/outside of refrigeration units need additional cleaning;

Some ceiling damage above front window prep table;

Joe Jones Superette and Tire Service

1617 N.C. 11/55, Kinston

Score: 95

Inspection date: 8/19

Observations:

No certified food protection manger present;

Domestic refrigerator and freezers used;

Can wash is slow to drain and is filled with dirt;

Hibachi Express

2405-C North Herritage Street, Kinston

Score: 97

Inspection date: 8/21

Observations:

No certified food protection manager present;

Wet wiping cloth left around kitchen - store in proper strength sanitizer when not in use;

Some dishes stored wet - allow to air dry before stacking;

The Country Store

1561 N.C. 58 South, Kinston

Score: 95

Inspection date: 8/22

Observations:

Employee observed changing task with washing hands;

Raw sausage stored above cooked burgers and raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat lunch meat;

Strip hanging between prep sink and three-compartment sink - hang strips away from food prep areas and food; flies and roach seen in kitchen - need better pest control;

Chest freezer beside ice cream freezer is not commercial certified;

Waffle House

601 East New Bern Road, Kinston

Score: 91

Inspection date: 8/26

Observations:

Several dishes still had food residue;

Chili in steam well temped 132-141F; sausage in steam well temped at 119F; all potentially hazardous foods in hot holding shall be 135F or above;

Chili in reach-in was date marked with the incorrect date;

Several soiled wiping cloths left around kitchen;

Styrofoam cups stored in dispenser without plastic covering or lid;

Waffle irons were being rinsed off in mop sink;

Equipment handles, bottoms of reach-in fridges, steam wells and counters need additional cleaning;

Prep sink in back room had duct tape on drain pipe and was leaking on the floor;

Water was puddled on the ground in dumpster area;

Trash in dumpster area - shall be maintained clean on ground;

Floors, walls (especially beneath/behind equipment and dish machine), ceilings need additional cleaning;