2 Warner Robins restaurants get C’s on routine health inspections. Here’s why

Packages of raw chicken being thawed incorrectly on a bucket contributed to one Warner Robins restaurant receiving a “C” for “marginal compliance” at its routine health inspection, while a hotel restaurant got a “C” in part for how raw hamburger was stored.

Saigon Bowl at 810 Ga. 96, Suite 600, scored a 72 for a “C” at its routine health inspection Dec. 1. The bistro improved its score with an 84 for a “B” at its required follow-up inspection.

The Garden Grill & Bar at the Hilton Garden Inn, 207 North Willie Lee Parkway, scored a 74 for a “C” at its routine health inspection Dec. 30. A follow-up inspection was not included in what was reported in the state health department’s online portal Friday.

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

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

Marginal compliance scores explained

At its routine health inspection Dec. 1, Saigon Bowl received its marginal compliance score in part due to two packages of raw chicken being thawed incorrectly on a bucket in the main kitchen, according to the inspection report.

Other violations noted in the report included:

• Raw shelled eggs, raw pork tenderloin and raw shrimp stored above vegetables throughout the walk in cooler. Food is required to be protected from possible cross contamination.
• Numerous types of peppers with mold growth stored on top of other vegetables inside the walk in cooler.
• The person in charge was not performing their duties as it relates to foodborne illness and proper sanitizing, according to the report.
• The person in charge could not provide any type of employee’s health documentation to ensure all employees are aware of foodborne illnesses.
• The person in charge was not performing their duties to ensure employees are properly thawing out time/temperature control for food safety, according to the report.
• No certified food safety manager (CFSM) certificate was posted as required.
• An employee was observed washing and rinsing food utensils without sanitizing the utensils properly.
• The sanitizer was “used up” in the dishwashing machine.
• Boxes were blocking access to the handwashing sink in the prep area.
• No paper towels were available at the hand sink in the women’s restroom.
• The area near the nozzles of the soda dispenser was heavily soiled.
• The threshold of the rear exit door needs to be repaired.

On prior inspections, Saigon Bowl scored a 100 for “food safety excellence” at its routine health inspection July 23 and a 100 at its initial inspection May 15 prior to opening, according to what was reported in the online portal.

At its routine inspection Dec. 30, the Garden Grill & Bar received its marginal compliance score based in part due to raw hamburger stored next to alfredo sauce on the same tray and raw hamburger patties stored above raw bacon inside the walk-in cooler, according to the inspection report. Food is required to be protected from possible cross contamination.

Other violations noted in the report include:

• Containers of cooked rice prepped on Dec. 16 and containers of mushroom soup prepped Dec. 18 inside the walk-in cooler were being held beyond the allotted time frame.
• Prepped green beans and prepped containers of mashed potatoes were not date marked inside the walk in cooler
• The person in charge was not performing their duties to ensure food contact surfaces are properly being sanitized, food items are being properly stored, and time/temperature control for safety foods are discarded within the allotted time,
• In-use sanitizer buckets did not have the required solution ratio, indicating the sanitizer dispenser needed to be repaired.
• The in-use high temperature dishwashing machine was not reaching the required temperature and needed to be serviced.
• There was no written food allergen notification for customers as required.

At its prior routine inspections, the Garden Grill & Bar scored mostly “A’s” for “food safety excellence,” according to what was reported in the online portal.

The scores were 92 on July 15; 95 on Feb. 20; 90 on Oct. 17, 2024; 95 on May 23, 2024; 90 on Jan. 16, 2024; 87 for a “B” for “satisfactory compliance” on June 7, 2023; and a 100 on a follow-up inspection March 3, 2023, after scoring a 73 at a Feb. 24, 2023 routine inspection.

How did other restaurants fare?

Most restaurants, bars, food trucks and other eating establishments across Houston County earned “A’s” on routine inspections from Dec. 1-31, according to what was reported in the state’s online health portal.

Under a dozen received “B’s.” No others received a “C” or a “U.”

Best Scores

Here are those with perfect scores of 100 by location:

Warner Robins

• Barberitos, 3123 Watson Blvd., Suite 100
• Between Friends Coffee, 1080 Ga. 96, Suite 100
• Capt. D’s, 3004 Russell Parkway
• Dairy Queen, 1214 Watson Blvd.
• El Cotija Mexican Restaurant, 109 Margie Drive
• FitCo Health Club, 198 South Houston Lake Road
• Mellow Mushroom, 710 Lake Joy Road
• Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, 3030 Watson Blvd., Suite 1100
• No Name Chicken, 2706 Watson Blvd., Suite I
• Pizza Hut, 1406 Watson Blvd.
• Starbucks inside Kroger, 3094 Watson Blvd.
• Subway, 502 Booth Road
• Taco Bell, 419 North Davis Drive
• Texas Roadhouse, 4070 Watson Blvd.
• Tia’s Maine Lobster Rolls, 100 North Pleasant Hill Road, Suite B
• TouchDown Wings, 840 Ga. 96, Suite 3500

Warner Robins area

• Gunn Nutrition, 6009 Watson Blvd., Suite 400, Byron
• Larry’s Giant Subs, 789 Ga. 96, Suite 1-F, Bonaire

Perry

• Arby’s, 1406 Sam Nunn Blvd., Suite A
• Perrydise Nutrition, 1203 Sunset Ave.
• Skipper Johns, 1210 Macon Road
• Sunset Slush of Middle Georgia, 736 Carroll St., Suite 11
• Yoder’s Sandwich Shoppe, 1201 Sunset Ave.

Food trucks

• D&D Burgers Wings N Things
• Coffee on the Mooove
• La Cocina De Manny
• Rick D’s BBQ
• Ricky’s Taco Shop
• Shake-Umz’ Wingz
• Sunset Slush of Middle Georgia

How 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.