Here’s why these 2 Macon restaurants got C’s on recent health inspections

Improper food temperatures and storage for food safety contributed to two Macon restaurants receiving “C’s” for “marginal compliance” on routine August health inspections.

Super Taco Deli at 5033 Brookhaven Road, Suite 60, scored a 70 for a “C” on Aug. 15, according to what was reported Wednesday in the state health department’s online portal.

The restaurant came back with a near perfect score of 99 for an “A” for “food safety excellence” at its follow-up inspection Aug. 22.

US Deli, 1477 Pio Nono Ave., Suite 101, scored a 77 for a “C” on Aug. 25. The restaurant bounced back with a perfect score of 100 at its follow-up inspection.

State Environmental Health inspectors assign grades based on how many points are deducted from 100. A “C” is given for a score from 70 to 79.

Restaurants and other food establishments that receive either a “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” or a “C” on a routine health inspection are required to have follow-up inspections, which usually take place within 10 days of the routine inspection.

Meanwhile, most Macon-Bibb restaurants scored “A’s on routine health inspections during the reporting period of Aug. 1-31. Just under a dozen of those earned perfect scores of 100.

Only four restaurants received “B’s,” and none got a failing grade of “U.”

Marginal compliance

Super Taco Deli off Brookhaven Road received a score of 70 in part for raw chicken incorrectly stored above raw beef in a reach-in cooler. The issue was the potential for cross contamination.

Additional violations cited in the inspection report included:

• Cut tomatoes, cut lettuce and cheese in a prep top cooler were above the required cold-holding temperature.
• Raw beef stored in a reach-in cooler was not covered as required.
• A handwashing sink in the front food service area was not accessible at all times as required because a sanitizer bucket was in the hand sink.
• The restaurant did not have required reporting forms or other verifiable means of responsibility to report food borne illnesses and symptoms.
• The restaurant did not have a required bodily fluid clean-up kit.

US Deli off Pio Nono Avenue received a score of 77 in part for a bowl of raw shrimp stored incorrectly above eggs and vegetables in a walk-in cooler. The issue was the potential for cross contamination.

Other violations cited in the inspection report included:

• Chicken wings cooling next to the fryer were uncovered with no overhead protection.
• A batch of cooked chicken next to the fryer that was below the required temperature for food safety was left out to cool before placing within a walk-in cooler.
• A frozen chunk of chicken was placed to the side of the three compartment sink to thaw, which is not a proper way of thawing under food safety regulations.
• A personal thermos cup was next to a stove top in the main kitchen.
• Stained ceiling tiles were throughout the kitchen and dining room area.
• The restaurant had no sanitizer test strips.

Perfect scores

Here’s a list of Macon restaurants, dessert shops and bars with perfect scores of 100:

• Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs, 596 Cherry St.
• Cold Stone Creamery, 156 Tom Hill Sr. Blvd., Suite 254
• Georgia Potato Factory, 1530 Mercer University, Suite 500
• Hotlanta Wings, 650 Shurling Drive
• K’s Fish & More, 3047 Hartley Bridge Road, Suite A
• Zaxby’s, 910 Riverside Drive
• Mikata Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar, 2972 Riverside Drive
• Nu-Way Weiners, 6016 Zebulon Road
• Pig on a Pie, 4921 Riverside Drive, Suite 1
• The Social Duck, 476 Second St.

Here’s how the scores are graded

• “A” for a score from 90 to 100 for “food safety excellence.”
• “B” for a score from 80 to 89 for “satisfactory compliance.”
• “C” for a score from 70 to 79 for “marginal compliance.”
• “U” for a score of 69 or less for “unsatisfactory compliance.”

Restaurant inspections are designed to protect public health. The Telegraph reviews inspection reports monthly.