Restaurant inspections
The following restaurant inspections were conducted by the Lenoir County Health Department:
El Norteno
Location: 1701 W. Vernon Avenue, Kinston
Date: 12/17
Score: 100
Observations:
Gasket on prep unit near stove is peeling.
Metal pan used to hold tortillas is sticky, needs additional cleaning.
Ice buildup on floor in back of freezer.
Murray’s BBQ and Seafood
Location: 123 E Washington Street, La Grange
Date: 12/17
Score: 96.5
Observations:
No certified food protection manager present.
Raw shrimp and raw fish stored above a pot of ready to eat food, wrapped bread, and sticks of butter.
Dish machine is not sanitizing.
Small bowl was being used as a scoop in a pan of rice.
Tokyo House, LLC
Location: 1201 W Vernon Avenue, Kinston
Date: 12/15
Score: 88
Observations:
Employee did not wash hands long enough.
Mop is stored blocking hand sink.
Employee did not sanitize cutting board or prep area.
Several foods temped above 41F.
Consumer advisory on menu is missing disclosure.
Styrofoam is used to hold up container of onions in a larger pan inside prep unit.
Wet wiping cloths left lying around kitchen.
Whisk, mallet, and knife are stored beside hand sink.
Dorm sized refrigerators and chest freezers are not approved.
Finish is wearing off of several wooden surfaces.
Employee used prep sink to wash cutting board.
Surfaces need additional cleaning.
Hand sink is leaking and is draining slowly.
Walls need additional cleaning.
King’s Restaurant
Location: 405 East New Bern Road, Kinston
Date: 12/9
Score: 94
Observations:
Leftovers cooled overnight were above 41F.
Several employees not wearing hair restraints.
Several dishes stacked wet.
Several gaskets in disrepair.
Several surfaces need additional cleaning.
Several floor tiles are cracked.
McDonald’s
Location: 110 W Vernon Avenue, Kinston
Date: 12/8
Score: 100
Observations:
Needs to install splash guard.
Northeast Elementary
Location: 1002 E Highland Avenue, Kinston
Date: 12/3
Score: 100
Legacy Memory Care at Kinston
Location: 1406 East Shine Street, Kinston
Date: 12/7
Score: 97
Observations:
No certified food protection manager present.
Raw shell eggs stored above ready to eat foods.
Raw chicken was thawing in sink at room temp.
Wiping cloths were stored in weak solution.
Scoops stored in food with handles in contact with food.
Hand sink in staff restroom is draining slowly.
Door to staff restroom is not self-closing.
Jay’s 108
Location: 108 B North Street, Kinston
Date: 12/7
Score: 93
Observations:
Employees adjusting clothing and then handling clean dishes.
Employee handled ice with bare hands.
Food in freezer is not separated by bacterial load.
Dish machine not working properly.
Several temps. In sushi cooler and in kitchen prep unit were above 41F.
Consumer advisory is not complete on menu.
Employee placed ice buckets on the floor.
Employee stored cell phone on cutting board.
Chef & The Farmer
Location: 120 W Gordon Street, Kinston
Date: 12/2
Score: 94.5
Observations:
Dish machine is not reaching proper temp.
Several utensils and meat slicer are soiled.
Small dorm fridge upstairs is not closing properly.
Egg salad dated 11/20 was still in reach in.
Customer advisory on menu is incomplete.
Several utensils are stored with handles in food.
Hand sink in dish area is in disrepair and does not work.
Hand sink in kitchen has build up of crud.
No covered trash receptacle available in staff restroom.
No waste receptacles located at hand sinks.
Sugar Hill Pizzeria, Inc.
Location: 211 N Herritage Street, Kinston
Date: 11/12
Score: 96
Observations:
Foods temped above 41F.
Handle on clear reach in has broken off.
Amy’s Kitchen
Location: 3264 Doug Drive, Kinston
Date: 12/1
Score: 100
Observations:
Some places in drawers in prep unit need spot cleaning.
Bethel Christian Academy
Location: 1936 Banks School Road, Kinston
Date: 11/30
Score: 100
Smiths Café
Location: 2424 Hwy 258 North, Kinston
Date: 12/8
Score: 98
Observations:
Rice cooked approximately 4 hours ago was 101F.
Rice was left cooling on tabletop
One thermometer was calibrated to 0F in ice water.
Bottom of reach-in freezer and shelving below tables needs additional cleaning.
San Juan Mexican Restaurant
Location: 2423 N Herritage Street, Kinston
Date: 12/7
Score: 93
Observations:
Salsa sitting on counter was 53F and some food in prep unit and walk-in was 42F-45F.
Wet wiping cloths laying on counters.
Dishes were stacked wet.
Gasket on walk-in door and walk-in floor in disrepair.
Shelving, floors, walls, ceilings, prep tables, inside of refrigeration, dish area, gaskets, and ceiling vents need additional cleaning.
Some missing and cracked floor tiles.
Some walls cracking.
New Main Moon
Location: 909-E W Vernon Avenue, Kinston
Date: 12/9
Score: 93
Observations:
Raw chicken stored above cooked food in reach-in cooler.
Food temp. in walk-in were above 41F.
Flies in kitchen.
Employees without hairnets.
Wet wiping cloths laying on prep table.
Shelving, inside of refrigeration, outside of equipment, floors, walls, dry food bin, and HVAC vent need additional cleaning.
Mas Hot Dog & Variety
Location: 2515 Hwy 258 South, Kinston
Date: 12/10
Score: 90
Observations:
No certified food protection manager present.
No employee health policy in place.
Employees prepped sandwiches and cut produce without gloves.
Sanitizer bottle was not labeled.
Flies in kitchen and mouse droppings in cabinet.
Wet wiping cloths laying on counters, tables, and hand sink.
Domestic stove, refrigeration, and crockpot used.
Areas of floors in disrepair and some chipping paint on ceiling and wall above prep table.
Spring Arbor Assisted Living
Location: 3207 Carey Road, Kinston
Date: 12/11
Score: 98.5
Observations:
Some dishes were visibly dirty.
Inside of ice machine needs additional cleaning.
Dishes stored under prep tables and serve line.
Sanitizer strips have been wet and will not read properly.
Top self of steam line, top of sanitizer dispenser, inside of drawer, vents, ceiling, and light fixtures need additional cleaning.
Village of Kinston
Location: 1935 Idlewild Drive, Kinston
Date: 12/14
Score: 97.5
Observations:
Some cups and utensils in drawer are visibly dirty.
Flies in kitchen.
Light fixtures, vents above fridge, inside of drawers, walls, and ceilings need additional cleaning.
Well beside ice machine is in disrepair.
Some light bulbs missing covers.
Nova Maplewood
Location: 2002 G Shakleford Road, Kinston
Date: 12/14
Score: 96
Observations:
Some utensils were visibly dirty.
Some food temperatures were above 41F.
Sanitizer in wiping cloth bucket was too strong.
Vent above reach in needs additional cleaning.
One light is missing shield.
Lovick’s
Location: 320 N Herritage Street, Kinston
Date: 12/15
Score: 96.5
Observations:
Some dishes were visibly dirty.
Food in reach-in was 50F-55F.
Food placed in reach in to cool without using cooling method.
Flies in kitchen.
Employees prepping food without hat or hair net.
Wet wiping cloths laying on counters and stored in dawn.
Cups in dispenser need to be covered.
Shelving under tables, outside of equipment, and dry food bins need additional cleaning.
Blue Hornet Country Store
Location: 6409 Hwy 2585, Deep Run
Date: 12/16
Score: 98
Observations:
No certified food protection manager present.
All food in prep unit was 43F.
Domino’s
Location: 1201 W Vernon Avenue, Kinston
Date: 12/16
Score: 96.5
Observations:
Some pizza dishes in clean pile were visibly dirty.
Some food temps in prep unit were above 41F.
Flies in kitchen.
Wet wiping cloth laying on drainboard.
Vent on prep unit, pizza oven catch trays, walls, top of pizza oven, paper towel dispensers, and fire extinguisher need additional cleaning.
Chen’s Chinese
Location: 211 W Vernon Avenue, Kinston
Date: 12/17
Score: 93.5
Observations:
Employee washed hands without soap.
Employee did not wash hands in between tasks.
Raw chicken stored above par-cooked chicken and sauces.
Food in walk-in was 43F-45F.
Shelving below prep table and walls need additional cleaning.
Large cracks in floor tiles are not easily cleanable.
Little Caesars
Location: 111 W Vernon Avenue, Kinston
Date: 12/18
Score: 91.5
Observations:
No certified food protection manager present.
Hand sink had food pan lid, wiping cloth, and used paper towel in it.
Food pans left uncovered.
Clean pizza pans had food residue left in them.
Pizza sauce was not labeled.
Wet wiping cloth left laying on drainboard.
Surfaces need additional cleaning.
Trash on ground around dumpster.
The Laughing Owl
Location: 108 W North Street, Kinston
Date: 12/18
Score: 98
Observations:
No certified food protection manager present.
Handles of prep units need additional cleaning.
Cardboard dumpster has damaged lids.
Jin Jin Chinese Restaurant
Location: 304 E Washington Street, La Grange
Date: 12/8
Score: 100
Observations:
Microwave needs additional cleaning.
Canteen Kinston Catering
Location: 1257 Enterprise Boulevard, Kinston
Date: 12/10
Score: 100
Observations:
Urinal in men’s restroom needs additional cleaning.
