Restaurant Roundup: October 23

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Whenever you go out to eat, knowing which kitchen is clean and what food is safe can mean the difference between a second helping or sending something back.

These scores are meant to help inform Memphis and Shelby County residents about what places pass and which ones need to clean up.

The Tennessee Department of Health posts scores regularly and updates them frequently. Click the link to learn more.

Previous editions: Oct. 16 | Oct. 9 | Oct. 2

Top Scores

• Dairy Dreams | 260 Huntington Dr. Rossville, TN 38066
• FedExForum Portable Cart #1 | 191 Beale St. Memphis, TN 38103
• FedExForum Portable Cart #3 | 191 Beale St. Memphis, TN 38103
• FedExForum Portable Cart #5 | 191 Beale St. Memphis, TN 38103
• FedExForum Portable Cart #6 | 191 Beale St. Memphis, TN 38103
• Heart and Soul (Mobile Unit) | 1109 S. 3^rd St. Memphis, TN 38106
• Mama’s Flavors (Mobile Unit) | 757 N Hollywood St. Memphis, TN 38112
• Mollie Fontaine Lounge | 679 Adams Memphis, TN 38105
• Son Delicias Banegas | 3348 Lamphier Ave. Memphis, TN 38122

Improvements

India Palace 76 to a 90 | 1720 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38104

Low Scores

Amelia Gene’s – 84 | 255 S Front St. Memphis, TN 38103

• Employee observed drinking from a water bottle, then returned to preparing food without washing hands first
• Ice machine has pink and black buildup present
• Certain parts of the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) plan are not being adhered to. Thermometer calibration log, change of procedure log, and training logs are needed.
• Items must be held only for 7 or 14 days, depending on the item
• Sea bass is being vacuum packaged without prior approval
• Left side of dish machine has black buildup present

Perkins – 83 | 5112 Park Ave. Memphis, TN 38117

• Cutting board attached to the prep cooler is severely stained with deep grooves
• Improper cold holding temperatures in time-temperature control for food safety (TCS) food items on the service line
  • PIC discarded all food items above 41 °F
• Gnats and flies observed in the kitchen and dining area near cashier
• Fryer oil observed on floor next to the hand sink
• Employees observed not wearing proper hair restraints
• Microwaves on service line are dirty
• Interior and exterior of line coolers are stained and need to be deep cleaned
• Empty boxes stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler
• Walls and floors are dirty throughout the kitchen
• Ceiling tiles are stained

Otherlands Coffee – 83 | 641 S. Cooper Memphis, TN 38104

• No employee health policy posted
• Employee observed washing hands, then used a dirty wiping cloth to dry her hands, then proceeded to touch food products
• Employee observed not wearing gloves while preparing food
• Unlabeled food containers in the freezer
• Gnats and flies observed in food prep area
• Employee observed not wearing a hair restraint while preparing food
• Dirty wiping cloth observed in the food prep area
• No chlorine test strips available
• Uncovered trash can observed inside the women’s restroom and dust on the vents
• Current posted permit is expired
• Most recent inspection is not posted
• No “no smoking” sign posted

Yum’s Subs – 79 | 3582 Summer Ave. Memphis, TN 38122

• Observed employee wash their hands at 3-compartment sink
• Raw fish and raw beef stored on top of soy sauce containers
• Raw chicken stored above produce
• Container of nuts stored inside raw bacon
• No date marking system in place for cooked and prepared food items being held longer than 24 hours
• Unlabeled food containers observed
• Open cans of food observed stored inside the prep cooler
• Cans of food observed stored on the ground of the prep table
• Trash can observed being used to store sugar
• Wiping cloths observed being stored on the counters
• Clean dishes observed being stored on the floor
• Plastic bowls being used to scoop sugar inside sugar containers
• Buildup present on the exterior and interior of kitchen equipment
• Stained walls observed throughout the kitchen area
• Stained ceiling tiles observed throughout the kitchen area
• Food buildup present on kitchen floors
• No “no smoking” sign posted

The Majestic Grille – 78 | 145 S. Main St. Memphis, TN 38103

• Employee observed handling soiled dishes, then clean dishes before washing hands
• Employee observed drinking with a gloved hand, removing the glove, and donning a new one without washing hands first
• Hand sink across from the oven in the back does not have hot water available
• Food debris is also present at the hand sink
• Hand sink at salad station does not have paper towels
• Ice machine has black buildup present
• Gravy inside the walk-in cooler is reading at 88 °F
• Inconsistent date markings observed in the walk-in cooler
• Tongs observed stored on top of lemon container
• Knives observed stored in the crack of two prep coolers
• Stationary can opener blade has buildup present
• 3-compartment sink sanitizer is dispensing at low concentrations
• Dust present on the ceiling near vents in the women’s and men’s restrooms
• Covered trash cans in the women’s restroom do not have liners
• Floor drain grate observed at the dish machine is damaged and leaving a hole
• Cord plugged in close to microwave in the kitchen area has heavy dust buildup

Inspector’s note: remove tuna from vacuum packaging before thawing.

El Sabor Latino, LLC – 76 | 665 Avon Rd. Memphis, TN 38122

• Employee observed wearing gloves, rinsing hands off in the 3-compartment sink while wearing gloves then proceeding to prepare food items without changing gloves or washing hands first
• Employee rinsed gloves off in the 3-compartment sink but did not change gloves afterwards when changing tasks
• Raw chicken observed being stored above produce
• Corn flour pancakes stored on top of raw chicken
• Raw beef stored above cooked foods and next to sauces
• White buildup observed inside the ice machine
• Case of raw eggs observed being stored underneath the prep table, reading 73°F once cracked open
  • Case of eggs discarded
• Wiping cloths observed being stored on counters throughout the kitchen
• Cooking pots observed being stored on the ground
• Clean bowls not properly inverted
• Rusted shelves observed inside cooler
• Missing lights observed throughout the kitchen area
• No “no smoking” sign posted

Taqueria La Guadalupana – 74 | 4818 Summer Ave. Memphis, TN 38122

• Numerous priority food safety violations regarding proper cooling, proper date marking, proper storage of raw animal products, and food contact surface sanitization
• Raw eggs observed stored above produce
• Raw beef stored next to produce in walk-in cooler
• Black buildup present inside the ice machine
• Pan of refried beans observed reading at 86 °F that were cooked at 9 a.m.
• Date marking inconsistencies observed for many cooked and prepared food items
• Unlabeled food containers and mislabeled food containers
• Cans of refried beans observed being stored on the ground
• Ice scoop stored on top of ice machine
• Scoop stored inside of sugar with handle lying on top of the sugar
• Plates observed being used to scoop food inside food containers
• Clean pots and pans not properly inverted
• Rusted shelves observed used to store foods
• Food buildup observed on the exterior of all kitchen equipment
• Ceiling observed to be stained throughout the kitchen
• Stained walls observed throughout the kitchen area
• Damaged floor tiles observed throughout the kitchen
• No “no smoking” sign posted at entrance

Pupuseria Anitas – 73 | 658 Stratford Rd. Memphis, TN 38122

• Numerous priority violations observed regarding food separation and protection, proper hand washing, proper cold holding, and hand sink accessibility
• Employee observed washing dishes with gloves then proceeding to prepare food orders without changing gloves or washing hands
• Hand sink observed to be blocked with boxes of bananas and a garbage bag
• Half a head of lettuce stored on top of a container of raw chicken
• Raw beef and raw chicken stored with ready-to-eat foods
• Case of raw eggs stored over ready-to-eat foods
• Employee medication stored on top of food containers
• Shredded cabbage kept on counter reading at 68 °F
  • Discarded
• Unlabeled food containers observed
• To-go bags used to store cooked beans
  • Should only be food-grade or food-safe containers
• Clean bowls not stored properly inverted
• Old food containers being reused to store other food items
• Observed food buildup on the kitchen floors
• Observed inoperable lights near the 3-compartment sink
• No “no smoking” sign

Los Comales Restaurant – 72 | 4774 Summer Ave. Memphis, TN 38122

• Numerous priority violations observed regarding proper cooling, proper date marking, food contact surface sanitization, and proper storage of raw animal products
• Raw beef stored over hamburger buns and ready-to-eat foods
• Cilantro observed stored on top of raw steak
• Raw steak stored over fries
• Raw fish stored above sauce
• Black buildup present inside the ice machine
• Spanish rice cooked at 9 a.m. per Person in charge (PIC) to be reading 118 °F
• Date marking inconsistencies noted with several items marked with incorrect dates or missing dates
• Unlabeled food containers observed inside the prep cooler
• Chips observed being stored in garbage cans
• Bags of rice observed stored on the ground in a storage shed
• Wiping cloths stored on the counters
• Plates observed being used to scoop food left inside a container
• Clean plates not properly inverted
• To-go containers not properly inverted
• Grill cooler drawer handles are broken
• Rusted shelves observed inside walk-in cooler
• Food buildup present on the floors
• Stained walls observed throughout the kitchen
• Missing ceiling tiles observed in the kitchen

Straight Drop Seafood – 72 | 615 Chelsea Ave. Memphis, TN 38107

• Red buildup present inside of the ice machine
• Both prep table cutting boards observed with deep grooves and stains present
• No date marking observed taking place for foods being held longer than 24 hours
• Unlabeled chemical spray bottle stored next to seasonings
• Unlabeled food containers observed
• Dead cockroach found inside the mop sink
• Beverages observed being stored on the ground in the storage closet
• Food scoop observed lying on top of seasonings in container
• Aluminum pans stored improperly – must be inverted
• To-go aluminum pans stored improperly – must be inverted
• Water buildup present inside the bottom of the prep cooler
• Excessive grease buildup observed on the fryer
• Buildup observed on the exterior of all kitchen equipment
• Stained walls observed throughout the kitchen area
• Food buildup present on the floor throughout the kitchen area and around the kitchen equipment
• Stained ceiling tiles throughout the kitchen
• Missing lights and light covers observed over the prep cooler
• Grease buildup present on the ventahood
• Employee phone and lighter observed being stored on the prep counter
• No “no smoking” sign posted at the entrance

Neil’s – 65 | 5727 Quince Rd. Memphis, TN 38119

• Multiple priority violations observed relating to demonstration of knowledge regarding proper cold holding and hot holding temperatures
• Cutting board attached to the cold reach-in cooler is severely stained with deep grooves
• Black buildup present inside ice machine near dish pit
• Fried chicken observed on hot line is reading 96 °F
• Improper cold holding of turkey and ham deli meat inside reach-in cooler
• Cook stated that they serve burgers medium to medium well upon request, but there is no consumer advisory on the menu if cooked to different temps
• Bleach jug stored on bottom of dry storage rack next to bag of rice
• Roach observed on wall in the dish machine
• Food items stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler
• Employee not wearing proper hair restraint
• Wiping cloths stored throughout the kitchen
• Knives observed stored improperly behind knife rack and dirty wall
• Plates must be inverted when stored
• Heavy ice buildup present inside the reach-in freezer
• Microwave observed dirty
• Flat top grill, fryer, freezers, and coolers were observed dirty with food debris
• Mop sink covered in black buildup
• Lid on dumpster was left open
• Walls are severely stained throughout the kitchen
• Floors observed dirty
• Ceiling tiles are stained, and some are loose
• Mop bucket filled with dirty mop water observed in the back of the kitchen
• Ventahood is dirty and had grease buildup present
• Employee’s purse observed on dry storage rack
• Permit is expired and must be paid within 48 hours

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