Food Business Health Inspections in Beaufort County Show Room for Improvement
This September, Beaufort County witnessed a flurry of health inspections conducted by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA). Out of the 321 food establishments inspected, six local businesses earned “B” grades, highlighting some concerning health and safety practices. Let’s take a closer look at which restaurants were on the list and what improvements they needed to make.
Amigos: A Quick Comeback
Located at 133 Belfair Village Drive, Amigos scored an 86% on September 17 during their routine inspection. Issues raised by inspectors included a food handler who washed utensils without properly sanitizing them, and several prepared ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, like tomato salsa and pork carnitas, that weren’t date marked as required. The good news is that after a reinspection just a day later, Amigos made a significant turnaround, scoring a 97%, achieving that coveted “A” grade!
Brays Island Inn/Restaurant: From Struggles to Success
Next, we have Brays Island Inn/Restaurant, which had a rocky inspection, scoring a 79% on September 18. Problems included a staff member handling food with bare hands and some equipment not maintaining proper temperatures. However, after addressing these concerns and a follow-up inspection on September 24, the restaurant impressed inspectors by scoring a perfect 100%. This is a great reminder of how crucial it is for food establishments to continually uphold hygiene and safety standards!
La Poblanita Restaurant: A Bumpy Ride
La Poblanita Restaurant, positioned at 4490 Bluffton Park Park Crescent, found itself in a pickle, earning a 78% during an inspection on September 24. Some of the issues included a heavy presence of flies and improper food storage practices. Like Amigos, La Poblanita has a follow-up inspection scheduled in the coming days to see if they can improve on these areas and get that grade back up!
Local Pie: Quick Improvement
Local Pie, at 15 State of Mind St., scored a decent 87% during their inspection on September 17. Problems pointed out included staff drinking from open cups while working with food. Thankfully, after a quick reinspection a day later, they managed to score a perfect 100%—talk about a speedy recovery!
Taco Fiesta: In Need of Better Practices
With a score of 85%, Taco Fiesta, located at 4 Oliver Count, also has some room for improvement. Issues included the handwashing sink being blocked and food not being held at the correct temperatures. They’ll have another shot to improve their score during the follow-up inspection within ten days.
Young’s BBQ: Keeping Up Standards
Lastly, we have Young’s BBQ at 258 Red Cedar St.. While they scored a solid 98% in their follow-up inspection, they still received a “B” grade due to a lack of certified food protection management during that time. Fortunately, they were able to raise their score to an “A” after further improvements.
Insights and Wrap-Up
Overall, the September inspections serve as a valuable reminder of the importance of food safety and hygiene in our local eateries. Each of these establishments has a chance to improve and showcase their commitment to better practices. As part of the community, we encourage everyone to stay informed—whether enjoying a meal at one of these spots or at any local dining establishment. After all, food safety is crucial for everyone!
SCDA’s reports are accessible online, and newer food grade decals even contain a QR code customers can scan for the latest inspection results. It really brings a sense of transparency and accountability to our food choices.
