Lenoir County restaurant inspections

Matters of Record, Local News

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

Inspection date	Premises name	Address	Final score	Grade
5/6/2026	KINGS RESTAURANT/KINSTON	405 E. New Bern Road, Kinston, NC 28504	88	B
5/4/2026	FALLING CREEK STORE	2278 Falling Creek Store Road, Kinston, NC 28504	94	A
4/30/2026	LOVICKS	320 N. Herritage St., Kinston, NC 28501	96.50	A
4/29/2026	HARDEES - 2 1601	1344 Hwy. 258 S., Kinston, NC 28501	94	A
4/24/2026	BOJANGLES 1	400 W. Vernon Ave., Kinston, NC 28501	97	A
4/24/2026	BYRDS RESTAURANT	196 Hwy. 58 S., Kinston, NC 28501	99.50	A
4/24/2026	FATBABYS COUNTRY COOKING	1215 Greene Haynes Road, Kinston, NC 28504	96.50	A
4/24/2026	MAS HOT DOG HOUSE & GRILL	2515 Hwy. 258 S., Kinston, NC 28504	96	A
4/23/2026	KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN #59	1613 W. Vernon Ave., Kinston, NC 28501	98.50	A

KINGS RESTAURANT/KINSTON
405 E. New Bern Road
Kinston, NC 28504
Inspection Date: May 6, 2026

Grade: 88 B

Inspectors reported unclear time as a public health control procedures, with employees unaware of the procedures and a chart that had not been changed during previous visits or inspections. The report cited moldy sausages in a cooler, hair found on hot dogs, dirty food-contact surfaces and utensils, improper reheating temperatures, cooling issues involving rice and meatloaf, and barbecue ribs found outside cold holding requirements. Several items were discarded during the inspection.

The report also noted live roaches in the kitchen, flies throughout the establishment, food storage and date-marking issues, employees with beards without guards, dirty non-food contact surfaces, plumbing leaks, missing hot water in several bathrooms, restroom cleaning and repair issues, damaged ceiling tiles, holes in a storage room ceiling, soiled walls and floors, and employee food and drinks stored around the kitchen.

FALLING CREEK STORE
2278 Falling Creek Store Road
Kinston, NC 28504
Inspection Date: May 4, 2026

Grade: 94 A

Inspectors cited an employee for washing hands for less than the approved amount of time and turning off the faucet with bare hands after washing. The employee rewashed hands during the inspection.

The report also noted a package of Bright Leaf smoked sausage with no date mark and a manufacturer pack date of April 1, 2026, covered with a thick white film. The item was discarded. Inspectors also found raw shell eggs stored above wieners and bologna, utensils that had not been cleaned thoroughly, several foods with incorrect date marking or no date marking, clean utensils exposed to splash near the biscuit-making area, and rust spots on ceiling vents.

LOVICKS
320 N. Herritage St.
Kinston, NC 28501
Inspection Date: April 30, 2026

Grade: 96.50 A

Inspectors noted the restaurant did not have written procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events, though a state-approved copy was left with the person in charge. A rolling cart storing washed and sanitized dishes was blocking a handwashing sink and was moved during the inspection.

The report also cited dough burgers that were below required hot holding temperatures and shell eggs stored beside grills at room temperature. The burgers were reheated and the eggs were discarded. Additional issues included shredded cheese stored in a bowl directly on top of other foods, employees preparing food without hair restraints, wiping cloths stored in water instead of sanitizer, an ice scoop stored on top of an ice machine, clean dishes stored on cardboard, single-service items stored food-contact side up, restroom issues and missing grout in floor tiles.

HARDEES - 2 1601
1344 Hwy. 258 S.
Kinston, NC 28501
Inspection Date: April 29, 2026

Grade: 94 A

Inspectors found liquid eggs and shell eggs above 41 degrees. The foods were discarded, and the violation was marked as repeat. The report also cited foods held by time without proper labels and missing written procedures for time as a public health control. A verification was required for that item.

Additional issues included coolers that were not maintaining required temperatures, cooler and restroom equipment needing repair, sheet pans with excessive carbon buildup, cleaning needs inside coolers and shelving areas, floor cleaning needs in the walk-in cooler and upstairs stock area, missing grout, damaged mop wash area surfaces, holes in walls and a walk-in cooler floor coming apart.

BOJANGLES 1
400 W. Vernon Ave.
Kinston, NC 28501
Inspection Date: April 24, 2026

Grade: 97 A

Inspectors found time and temperature control for safety foods at the front counter that were not maintaining 135 degrees or above. The foods were discarded during the inspection, and the violation was marked as repeat.

The report also cited ready-to-eat foods marked with an eight-day discard window instead of seven days. The dates were changed during the inspection. Additional issues included a drive-thru soda machine door and a small hot holding unit needing repair, and dishes being washed in a prep sink instead of through approved warewashing procedures.

BYRDS RESTAURANT
196 Hwy. 58 S.
Kinston, NC 28501
Inspection Date: April 24, 2026

Grade: 99.50 A

The report noted that a certified food protection manager was not present at the time of inspection. The person in charge had an expired certification, though a certified staff member arrived by the end of the inspection.

Inspectors also cited rusty shelving units in the walk-in cooler and a missing fryer door.

FATBABYS COUNTRY COOKING
1215 Greene Haynes Road
Kinston, NC 28504
Inspection Date: April 24, 2026

Grade: 96.50 A

Inspectors reported extensive additional cleaning was needed on equipment gaskets, equipment and equipment handles. The report also cited water surfacing in the drain field in several areas. According to the report, Lenoir County had been aware of the issue and working with the establishment for two years, and the owner was using D & W Septic to add drain lines and repair the system.

Additional violations included walls, ceilings and floors needing cleaning, and low lighting in walk-in coolers due to the amount of food and storage blocking light.

MAS HOT DOG HOUSE & GRILL
2515 Hwy. 258 S.
Kinston, NC 28504
Inspection Date: April 24, 2026

Grade: 96 A

Inspectors noted a gap at the back door where sunlight was visible, which could allow insects and pests to enter. A few flies were observed during the inspection.

The report also cited noncommercial equipment, including an Aroma rice steamer, stove and refrigeration, along with chipping shelves, a bar and cabinets in reach-in units. Additional issues included cracked flooring, chipping paint above a prep table, mops drying in a mop bucket and lighting below required levels in food preparation areas.

KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN #59
1613 W. Vernon Ave.
Kinston, NC 28501
Inspection Date: April 23, 2026

Grade: 98.50 A

Inspectors found a tray used to hot hold chicken nuggets in poor repair, with broken sides and a long crack along the bottom. The tray was discarded during the inspection.

The report also cited cleaning needs on the outside of hot holding cabinets, condiment containers, equipment on the main cook line, floors and walls behind fryers and the chicken breading area, and floors in the chicken walk-in cooler and freezers. Additional issues included a missing dumpster drain plug, wall and floor areas in poor repair, peeling paint and a damaged wall or door frame near the chicken walk-in cooler.