From roaches to unsafe food temps: 3 Bibb eateries fail routine health inspections

From live roaches to unsafe food temperatures, three Bibb County eateries failed their routine inspections in October.

Two are Mexican food stalls at Smiley’s Flea Market, while the third is a diner on Ocmulgee East Blvd.

State health inspectors assign grades based on how many points are deducted from 100, with scores at 69 and below considered failing.

The Telegraph reviewed routine health inspections from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31 based on what’s reported in the Georgia Department of Public Health’s online portal. Restaurant inspections are designed to protect public health.

La Bella Morelia Tacos Y Frutas

La Bella Morelia Tacos Y Frutas at Smiley’s Flea Market at 6717 Hawkinsville Road failed its routine inspection Oct. 17, receiving a “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” with a score of 62.

The eatery quickly bounced back — scoring a 97 on its required followup inspection with an “A” for “food safety excellence.”

Follow-up inspections are required when a restaurant fails its routine inspection and generally take place within 10 days.

During its routine inspection Oct. 17, several employees were observed by the health inspector switching tasks without changing gloves, washing their hands and then re-gloving— including preparing food, cooking and handling money with the same gloves; washing dishes and preparing food with the same gloves; and touching clothing and making food with the same gloves.

The inspector also observed food being held at temperatures above the required 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below, including sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, a cilantro/onion mixture, sliced radish and diced limes.

The eatery was also using “the end of (a) tree stump as a cutting board to cut meats,” a household microwave and two household crock pots instead of commercial grade equipment.

Among other violations, there was no soap or cleanser at two of the hand washing sinks for employees.

The eatery also failed one of two routine inspections last year, scoring a 62 on Jan. 26 and then a 94 on its required follow-up inspection. The restaurant received an 85 at its routine inspection Dec. 6, 2020.

Antojitos Mexicanos Malinalli

Antojitos Mexicanos Malinalli, also located at Smiley’s Flea Market at 6717 Hawkinsville Road, failed its routine inspection Oct. 17, receiving a “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” with a score of 63.

The eatery quickly rebounded — earning a perfect score of 100 on its followup inspection with an “A” for “food safety excellence.”

During its routine inspection on Oct. 17, the health inspector saw “live roaches” on the wall near the hanging utensils and underneath a shelf near a hand sink.

The inspector also observed multiple chest freezers with limited ice above the required temperature for cold holding.

The inspector also saw ziplock bags of sauces being removed from the back of a pickup truck by an employee and was told the bags contained sauces made at home. Home prepared items may not be used at the facility.

Additionally, whole fish was being stored in a cooler with no means of identification. The inspector was told that the fish was tilapia. All foods must come from an approved source.

Also, there was no soap available at the only hand sink in the facility, among other violations.

The restaurant scored “B’s” for “satisfactory compliance” during two prior inspections last year, scoring an 88 on Dec. 14 and an 86 on Jan. 26.

Huddle House

The Huddle House at 4900 Ocmulgee East Blvd. failed its routine inspection Oct. 10, receiving a “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” with a score of 65.

The restaurant bounced back — scoring a 90 on its followup inspection with an “A” for “food safety excellence.”

During its routine inspection Oct. 19, the health inspector “observed multiple roaches” in the back kitchen area near the bulk ice machine, shelving racks in the back kitchen area and in front cabinetry under the soda/ice machine.

The inspector saw six boxes of hash browns that had been re-hydrated stored in a prep sink above required temperatures for food safety.

Also, sausage gravy in hot holding well was below the required temperature, while sliced cheese stored in cold holding was above the required temperature.

Among other violations, two employees were also seen twice cooking without required hair restraints.

The restaurant also failed a routine inspection last year with a 63 on July 20 but scored a 90 on its follow-up inspection and a 94 on its routine inspection April 23 of this year.

Update

Meanwhile, two other Bibb restaurants that failed routine inspections in September both passed their follow-up inspections in October.

Krystal’s at 6225 Zebulon Road failed with a score of 63, but earned a 97 for “food safety excellence” at its follow-up inspection Oct. 5.

New China Grill & Buffet at 5056 Eisenhower Parkway also failed its September inspection with a score of 57, but came back with a score of 81 for “satisfactory compliance” on its follow-up inspection Oct. 5.

Other scores

Most Bibb County restaurants scored “A’s” and “B’s” with a couple given “C’s” on their routine health inspections in October.

Of those, Bibb County restaurants scoring perfect scores of 100 include:

• Satterfield’s Barbecue at the Society Garden’s prep kitchen at 2389 Ingleside Ave.
• Chick-fil-A at 1569 Bass Road

Here’s how the scores break down: “A” for a score between 90 to 100 and denotes “food safety excellence.” “B” for a score between 80 to 89, considered “satisfactory compliance.” “C” for “marginal compliance” based on a score of 70-79. A “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” is given when a restaurant scores 69 or less.

The Telegraph’s report generally includes restaurants that originated in the Middle Georgia area.

This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 5:00 AM.