What went wrong for 2 Warner Robins restaurants at routine health inspections?

Raw hamburger stored with cheddar cheese contributed to one Warner Robins restaurant’s “C” grade at its routine health inspection, while raw shelled eggs on a counter above the required temperature for food safety contributed to another’s “marginal compliance.”

The two Warner Robins restaurants were the only ones in Houston County to receive below a “B” on routine health inspections from Nov. 1-30, according to what was reported in the state health department’s online portal Tuesday.

TouchDown Wings at 840 Ga. 96, Suite 3500, scored a 71 for a “C” for “marginal compliance” at its routine inspection Nov. 24. The restaurant bounced back with a 100 for an “A” for “food safety excellence” at its required follow-up inspection Dec. 1.

Krystal at 1638 Watson Blvd. scored a 74 for a “C” for “marginal compliance” at its routine inspection Nov. 18. The restaurant improved its score with a 91 for an “A” for “food safety excellence” at its follow-up inspection Nov. 20.

State Environmental Health inspectors assign grades based on how many points are deducted from 100, with scores at 69 and below for a “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” considered failing.

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

Inspection reports detail violations for the two restaurants

TouchDown Wings earned a marginal compliance score in part due to the person in charge failing to ensure foods were properly being stored and not ensuring food contact surfaces were being sanitized, according to the inspection report.

According to the inspection report, violations included:

• Raw hamburger was stored in a plastic container with sliced cheddar cheese and raw shelled eggs were stored next to tomatoes inside the walk-in cooler. Food is required to be stored in such a way as to protect from possible cross contamination.
• Food containers and food items were inside a hand sink near the three-compartment sink. Hand sinks are only to be used for washing hands.
• The person in charge and another employee were observed only washing and rinsing food utensils. The utensils also should have been sanitized.
• An employee’s medication was stored next to customers’ food items on a storage shelf.
• An unlabeled chemical spray bottle and unlabeled spray jug were in the main kitchen.
• Numerous wet wiping cloths were on a countertop in the main kitchen and on the front counter instead of in a sanitizer solution.
• Employees’ items were stored next to customers’ items throughout the main kitchen.

On prior inspections included in the state’s portal, TouchDown Wings off 96 scored all “A’s” on prior inspections with scores of 96 on July 14; 99 on March 7; 93 on Nov. 14, 2024 and 100 at its initial inspection Sept. 12, 2024.

At its routine inspection, Krystal earned a marginal compliance score due to “numerous priority violations,” according to the inspection report.

Those violations were related to improper cold holding of time/temperature control for safety, inadequate holding of hot holding foods, and not properly sanitizing food contact surfaces.

According to the inspection report, violations included:

• Raw shelled eggs and a carton of liquid egg were sitting on the counter not under temperature control and above the required temperature for food safety.
• Caramelized onions and chili were sitting on an inoperable grill below the required temperature for food safety.
• Rehydrated onions and sliced cheddar cheese on the make line being held on time were not labeled with start or discard time.
• Boxes of food were stored directly on the floor inside the walk-in freezer instead of at least six inches above the floor on a shelf.
• An employee was prepping food without a hair restraint.
• A half-eaten candy bar was stored inside the ice bin that is used for customers’ consumption.
• The outside trash receptacle was left open with trash stored inside, and the lid of the grease receptacle was also left open.
• Several ceiling tiles in the dining room were heavily stained or drooping down.
• Air gaps were visible around the rear exit door and its self closure was also broken. Repair is required to prevent entry of insects and rodents. No insects or rodents were present in the restaurant.

On prior inspections included in the state’s online portal, Krystal on Watson Boulevard had all “A’s.,” with scores of 90 on July 2; 100 on Feb. 13; 96 on Oct. 11, 2024; 96 on May 2, 2024; 99 on Jan. 8, 2024; and 97 on July 5, 2023.

Best scores

How did other restaurants, bars, food trucks and other venues fare during the same reporting period of Nov. 1-30?

Most earned “A’s” on routine inspections, with multiple earning perfect scores of 100.

Only eight restaurants and one stationary food truck earned “B’s,” while none received a failing score for a “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance.”

Did your favorite spot earn a perfect score of 100?

Here’s a list of restaurants, bars, food truck and other venues with perfect scores at routine inspections by location:

Warner Robins

• Burger King, 201 Russell Parkway
• Chick-fil-A, 621 Russell Parkway
• Dunkin’, 825 Russell Parkway
• El Bronco, 2067 Watson Blvd.
• Firehouse Subs, 4025 Watson Blvd.
• Friends on the Hill, 104 Westcliff Blvd.
• Island Pot, 1505 Elberta Road, Suite B
• Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, 810 Ga. 96, Suite 2200
• McDonald’s, 3000 Russell Parkway
• Olive Garden, 3020 Watson Blvd.
• Peach Cobbler Factory, 840 Ga. 96, Suite 2600
• Slim Chickens, 4030 Watson Blvd.
• Starbucks inside Target, 2929 Watson Blvd.
• Triple D Smokehouse, 111 Watson Blvd.
• Waffle House, 3010 Russell Parkway

Warner Robins area

• Bodega Brew, 1025 Ball St.
• Cracker Barrel, 101 Lect Drive
• Holy Pie! Pizzeria, 1818 Houston Lake Road, Suite 1300
• Longhorn Steakhouse, 100 Hampton Court
• Starbucks, 277 Perry Parkway
• Subway, 105 Iffie Road

Perry

• Bodega Brew, 1025 Ball St.
• Cracker Barrel, 101 Lect Drive
• Holly Pie! Pizzeria, 1818 Houston Lake Road, Suite 1300
• Longhorn Steakhouse, 100 Hampton Court
• Starbucks, 277 Perry Parkway
• Subway, 105 Iffie Road

Food trucks

• BBQ Monsters To Go
• BurgerIM
• Rick D’s BBQ
• Scott Boys Smokin’ BBQ
• Taqueria La Patrona
• The Lucky Lemon