Uptown Charlotte restaurants get ‘B’ on April health inspection

The Charlotte Business Journal is continuing its monthly review of health-code inspections for food establishments in Mecklenburg County.

Establishments listed below received grades of either a "B" or "C" when inspected during the month of April, according to data pulled May 5 from the N.C. Public Health Inspections' online database. Restaurants, food stands, mobile-food operators and push carts are included in this review.

A total of 772 such establishments, nine of which scored below a 90, were inspected in Mecklenburg County last month. For those with a "B" or "C" grade in April that have since been reinspected, the updated score will be noted in the summary.

Food establishments that score below a 70 immediately have their permits revoked, according to state law.

There are about 4,400 food-service facilities in operation across Mecklenburg County. That's according to the Food and Facilities​ Sanitation Program, which is part of the Mecklenburg County Health Department's Environmental Health Division. Staff within that division conduct more than 13,000 facility inspections each year "to help maintain high levels of sanitation in the protection of public health," its website states.

The Food Establishment Inspection Report checks for factors that increase the chance of someone developing a food-borne illness and ensures preventative measures are in place for keeping pathogens, chemicals and physical objects out of food. To see specifically what health inspectors look for when visiting a food establishment, check out a copy of the report.

Among items of priority are improper cooking techniques and temperatures, food handlers not washing their hands properly and sick workers preparing food.

More information about Mecklenburg County's food-service inspections and access to the North Carolina Food Code Manual can be found here.

The list below, compiled in alphabetical order, includes the name of each food establishment, its address, score, date of inspection and all violations for which it received a demerit last month. As noted, updated scores for establishments that have been reinspected are provided below.

To view the searchable database, click here.

7-Eleven, 11112 Mount Holly Road in Charlotte (88.5/B)

Inspected April 18: Eight violations resulting in a demerit, including person-in-charge failed to demonstrate knowledge of food code and unable to answer related questions (1 point); certified no food protection manager onsite during inspection (1 point); two employees previously working at cash register put on gloves to handle food without first washing hands (4 points); buffalo wings in grab-and-go case and hotdogs, sausage and other food on rollers were hot holding below required temperature (1.5 points); several boxes of hotdogs, sausage rolls, sausage and chicken rolls in reach-in unit and opened milk and creamers in cold bin in self-service area were cold holding above required temperature (1.5 points); opened packages of hotdogs and other items in reach-in unit and opened cheese were not date marked (1.5 points); food thermometer did not display accurate temperature (0.5 point); and reach-in cooler in need of maintenance check (0.5 point).

Harris Food Mart, 8400 Old Statesville Road in Charlotte (85.5/B)

Inspected April 17: Twelve violations resulting in a demerit, including food employee changed tasks from washing dishes to handling food without washing hands/hair and debris observed in prep sink (4 points); no hand-washing sign, soap or paper towels at hand-washing sink in women's restroom (1 point); raw chicken found on same shelf in reach-in unit as corn/pooled eggs on shelf with lunch meat and cheese slices (1.5 points); food debris and residue found on several containers, pans and utensils stored as clean (1.5 points); chicken tenders, fries and fried eggs in hot box were hot holding below required temperature (1.5 points); boxes of single-service items found on floor throughout kitchen (0.5 point); condenser in walk-in freezer was leaking/door of walk-in cooler not latching closed (0.5 point); wash water contained large amount of debris and was cloudy/temperature not hot enough (0.5 point); buildup observed on interior and exterior of walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer doors (0.5 point); no toilet paper or covered trash bin in restroom (1 point); grease and debris buildup observed on wall and floors throughout kitchen/several soiled towels found on floor near fryer (1 point); and employee food and drink mixed with customer food and clean dishes throughout facility (1 point).

Little Caesars, 5009 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte (88.5/B)

Inspected April 28: Twelve violations resulting in a demerit, including no certified food protection manger onsite during inspection (1 point); person-in-charge failed to demonstrate knowledge of employee health policy or how to train new employees on health policy (1 point); no written procedures at facility on how to respond to vomiting or diarrheal events (0.5 point); no hand-washing sign observed in facility's only bathroom (1 point); food debris found on pans and containers stored as clean (3 points); sanitizer bottles stored improperly on shelf with single-service items, on prep table and on shelf above pizza-making station/three sanitizer spray bottles observed unlabeled (1 point); two employees observed with jewelry on hand and arm/three employees handled food without hair restraints/two employees not wearing beard guards (0.5 point); clean pans stored facing upward with water inside (0.5 point); napkin boxes found stored on floor/three boxes of single-service items were heavily soiled with grease debris (0.5 point); buildup and debris found on equipment exterior and shelving throughout facility/buildup on walk-in cooler door and gaskets/buildup on gaskets of reach-in cooler (1 point); no covered trash bin in only bathroom (0.5 point); and large amount of buildup and debris splash observed on walls and floors throughout facility (1 point).

Metro Diner, 8334 Pineville-Matthews Road in Charlotte (89/B)

Inspected April 10: Seven violations resulting in a demerit, including visible food residue observed on several clean plates and bowls (3 points); several food items at steam table were not meeting guidelines for proper reheating procedures (1.5 points); home fries and turkey sausage at heat lamp were hot holding below required temperature (1.5 points); cut lettuce, sliced tomato and sliced American cheese in prep-top unit were cold holding above required temperature (3 points); no consumer advisory on menu for Caesar dressing made with raw eggs (0.5 point); food employee on cook line was not wearing a beard guard (1 point); and sanitizer in three buckets with wiping cloths observed at incorrect concentration level (0.5 point). (Reinspected April 19: 98.5/A)

Ri Ra Sandwich Bar & Cafe, 214 N. Tryon St. in Charlotte (87/B)

Inspected April 25: Seven violations resulting in a demerit, including person-in-charge failed to ensure certain rules in code for food safety and handling were being met (1 point); no certified food protection manager onsite during inspection (1 point); sliced deli meats in reach-in cooler were cooling outside of required temperature/time range (1.5 points); breakfast sandwiches and cooked sausage patties were hot holding below required temperature (3 points); several items in prep-top unit such as roast beef and cheeses, cut melons and yogurt in grab-and-go refrigerator, roast beef in smaller prep-top unit and almond milk in reach-in cooler were cold holding above required temperature (3 points); artichokes in prep-top unit, and almond milk in reach-in cooler lacked date marks/feta cheese, artichokes and ham were kept past expiration date (3 points); and no test strips onsite for quat sanitizer (0.5 point).

Subway, 4023 G Brookshire Blvd. in Charlotte (89/B)

Inspected April 5: Seven violations resulting in a demerit, including no certified food protection onsite during inspection (1 point); two employees observed handling money and then putting on gloves to make sandwiches without first washing hands (2 points); turkey and steak in prep unit and pan of portioned steak in walk-in cooler were cold holding above required temperature (3 points); opened bags of lettuce, spinach and cheese in walk-in cooler were not date marked (1.5 points); six bottles of chemicals were hanging above three-compartment sink (1 point); bag of lettuce in walk-in cooler and boxes of ready-to-eat and single-service items stored on the floor (2 points); and employee cups, bowls and keys stored above prep sink and table in back room and mixed with clean dishes (0.5 point).

Sunset Hills Golf, 800 Radio Road in Charlotte (88.5/B)

Inspected April 13: Eight violations resulting in a demerit, including person-in-charge failed to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of food code (1 point); no certified food protection manager onsite during inspection (1 point); person-in-charge switched from checking in golfers on computer to handling food without washing hands (2 points); black buildup observed on inside of ice machine lid and on shield/buildup on soda-machine nozzles (3 points); hotdogs failed to reach required temperature during heating process (1.5 points); hotdogs were hot holding below required temperature (1.5 points); food thermometer failed to turn on (0.5 point); and golfing equipment including bags, clubs and shoes observed stored throughout kitchen/employee drinks with straws found above single-service cups and straws/container with several employee water thermostats on prep table (1 point). (Reinspected May 3: 98.5/A)

The Original New York Bagels, 9810 Gilead Road in Huntersville (86/B)

Inspected April 4: Ten violations resulting in a demerit, including lack of active managerial control observed at facility (1 point); no certified food protection manager onsite during inspection (1 point); food waste observed on slicer and plastic container stored as clean/food buildup inside microwave/black buildup forming on plate inside ice machine (3 points); chicken salad, egg salad and tuna salad in reach-in cooler was cooling outside of required temperature/time range (1.5 points); food such as melons, ham and home fries in display and prep coolers were cold holding above required temperature (3 points); turkey bacon, corned beef, pastrami and roast beef in reach-in unit and home fries, melon/fruit cups and ham in display case were not date marked (1.5 points); proper cooling method not used for egg salad, chicken salad and tuna salad (0.5 point); wiping cloths stored on top of prep surfaces (1 point); two cutting boards in need or resurfacing or replacement (1 point); dirty cardboard used to line shelving (0.5 point).

Tikka Shack, 400 S. Tryon St. in Charlotte (85.5/B)

Inspected April 25: Eleven violations resulting in a demerit, including person-in-charge failed to ensure rules in code for food safety and handling were being met (1 point); no certified food protection manager onsite during inspection (1 point); employee filled pitcher with water at hand-washing sink (1 point); raw chicken stored over lamb in walk-in unit/employee washed hands while wearing gloves (1.5 points); remnants and residue of date labels observed on stacked plastic containers/food debris on several bowls stacked and stored as clean (1.5 points); chicken pulled from oven before several pieces had reached required temperature (1.5 points); chicken reheating in steam well failed to reach required temperature (1.5 points); paneer, spinach sauce and canned chickpeas were cooling outside of required temperature/time range (1.5 points); cooked rice was hot holding below required temperature (1.5 points); items throughout facility lacked date marks (1.5 points); and proper cooling method not used for paneer, spinach sauce and chickpeas (1 point). (Reinspected May 5: 92.5/A)