Three popular spots in Macon get ‘C’s’ on routine health inspections. Why?

Three popular Macon restaurants earned “C’s” for “marginal compliance” on routine health inspections in June.

The establishments include a family-owned tavern and restaurant, a popular buffet spot, and a pizza place near Mercer University frequented by students.

Violations ranged from thawing raw meats incorrectly, to “everything” on the salad and dessert bars not held at the proper temperature for food safety, to an employee not washing their hands after taking out the trash.

All improved their scores at required follow-up inspections, according to what was reported Wednesday in the state health department’s online portal.

State Environmental Health inspectors assign grades based on how many points are deducted from 100.

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

What went wrong at routine inspections

The Grey Goose Players Club

The Grey Goose Players Club at 5424 Forsyth Road, Suite 310, scored a 79 for a “C” for “marginal compliance” at its routine inspection June 22. The restaurant bounced back with a 100 for an “A” for “food safety excellence” at its required follow-up inspection June 23.

At its routine inspection, the Grey Goose Players Club received a “C” in part due to containers of raw pork chop, sealed salmon, bagged liver, and a container of shrimp and fish thawing in the same prep sink.

The foods should have been thawed in batches based on their type of animal to prevent cross contamination, according to the inspection report.

Other violations included:

• The containers of raw pork chop, fish, sealed salmon, liver and raw fish also were thawing with no running water instead of being completely submerged under water in small batches separated by animal type
• A container of pork chop inside an ice bath had one shrimp within the container. The issue was potential for cross contamination and concerns over seafood allergies
• Several items within a reach-in cooler next to the grill were above the required temperature for food safety, including coleslaw, shredded cheese and blue cheese. The unit was on defrost and was constantly being opened. Unit defrost should occur at a different time of the day to ensure all items stay at the proper temperature.

At prior inspections included in the online portal, the Grey Goose earned all “A’s” on its routine inspections with a 95 on Dec. 12, 2025; a 92 on June 12, 2025; and a 92 on Jan 26, 2024.

Ole Times Country Buffet

Ole Times Country Buffet at 1343 Gray Highway scored a 70 for a “C” at its routine inspection June 1 and improved its score to an 88 for a “B” for “satisfactory compliance” at its required follow-up inspection June 15.

At its routine inspection, Ole Times Country Buffet received a “C” in part for multiple pans of macaroni and cheese in a warming cabinet that were not being held at the correct temperature for food safety, according to the inspection report.

Other violations included:

• “Everything” on the salad well and dessert well were not being held at the correct temperatures for food safety
• Baked chicken in a warming cabinet was not being held at the correct temperature for food safety
• Male employees were working without required beard guards
• Waiters station hand sinks on both sides of the facility had no hot water. The sinks should be serviced to produce a hot water minimum of 85 degrees
• A deep clean was needed of walls, flooring and ceiling food debris and dust accumulation
• The restaurant needed to remount the hand sink in the dish pit area and replace covering over all light fixtures with missing panels.

At prior inspections, Ole Times Country Buffet received “A’s,” “B’s” and “C’s” with scores of 80 on Nov. 20, 2025; a 94 follow-up on May 20, 2025, after a 73 on May 15, 2025; a 90 on July 30, 2024; and an 81 on February 21, 2024.

The Brick

The Brick at 1305 Hardeman Ave., Suite 100, scored a 75 for a “C” on June 16 at its routine inspection and bounced back with a 94 for an “A” at its required follow-up inspection June 23.

At its routine inspection, The Brick received a “C” due to an employee seen leaving the kitchen to discard garbage outside, returning to a prep station, and then handling utensils without washing their hands, according to the inspection report.

Other violations included:

• Premade pizzas were observed on rack without a method in use for cooling time/temperature control for safety food
• Open Sterno cans were packed beside single-service items in dry storage. Poisonous or toxic materials should be stored separately
• Ice scoops for a bulk ice machine were stored in a receptacle that had dirty water at the bottom
• Some cleaning was needed, including a dirty and stained lid for tortilla chips and greasy fryer exteriors on the main fryer line
• A backpack was stored in a drying rack and a jacket was stored atop a can rack in the main kitchen instead of in an employee area to prevent possible contamination of food, equipment, utensils and linens.

At prior inspections, The Brick earned mostly “A’s” and a “B” with scores of 93 on Dec. 1, 2025; 92 on May 7, 2025; 89 on Nov. 16, 2024; 100 on April 22, 2024; and a 94 on July 10, 2023.

How did other Macon restaurants do?

Most Macon restaurants earned “A’s” on their routine inspections from the same reporting period of June 1-30, according to what was reported in the online portal.

Of those, nearly 50 restaurants and other eateries earned perfect scores of 100.

About a dozen restaurants, plus a bar & lounge and a food truck, received “B’s.” No Macon eateries received a failing grade of “U.”

How grades are assigned

• An “A” is given for a score between 90 and 100 and denotes “food safety excellence.”
• A score of 80 to 89 is considered “satisfactory compliance” for a grade of “B.”
• A “C” is given for “marginal compliance” based on a score of 70-79.
• A “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” is given when a restaurant scores 69 or less.

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