No hair nets & more: Warner Robins restaurant fails routine health inspection
A small Warner Robins restaurant known for its authentic Mexican cuisine failed its routine health inspection for a variety of reasons, from no hair nets to improper food storage.
The Telegraph reviewed routine health inspections from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31 based on what was reported in the Georgia Department of Public Health’s online portal.
Tacos Y Mariscos Ofelia at 700 Feagin Mill Road, Suite 100, scored a 66 at its routine health inspection Dec. 7 receiving a grade of “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance.”
At its follow-up inspection Dec. 10, the restaurant bounced back with a perfect score of 100 with a grade of “A” for “food safety excellence.”
State health inspectors assign grades based on how many points are deducted from 100, with scores at 69 and below considered failing.
Follow-up inspections are required when a restaurant fails its routine inspection and generally take place within 10 days.
Routine inspection
During Tacos Y Mariscos Ofelia’s routine inspection, pork tamales, salsa and queso inside a reach-in cooler were above the temperature required by state regulations for food safety, the inspection report said.
Also according to the inspection report, salsa and refried beans were stored in a reach-in cooler without a date of preparation as required by state regulations to ensure that food is consumed, sold or discarded according to food safety guidelines.
Cinnamon, salt, sugar and rice were uncovered on the dry storage shelf with regulations requiring a covering to prevent the potential for overhead contamination, the report said.
The restaurant was also cited for an employee having a cup with a straw and no lid on a countertop next to a cutting board where queso was being prepared and for two employees prepping food without proper hair restraints.
Also, cloths used to wipe counters and other equipment surfaces were left on counters instead of being stored as required in sanitizer buckets, the report said.
Tacos Y Mariscos Ofelia also failed its routine inspection with a score of 51 on May 25 but came back with a 97 at its required follow-up inspection May 27.
In 2020, the restaurant scored a 97 at a routine inspection in December and an 87 at its routine inspection in November, according to online state records. The restaurant also earned a perfect score of 100 on its initial inspection in September 2020 before opening.
Other restaurant scores
Most Houston County restaurants earned “A’s” on their routine health inspections in December, while nine received “B’s” and three “C’s.”
Also, nearly a dozen restaurants that received “A’s” on their routine health inspections also earned perfect scores of 100, including:
- Casa Mexico II, 866 Ga. 96, Suite 103, Warner Robins
- Wendy’s, 1295 South Houston Lake Road, Warner Robins
- Taco Bell, 419 North Davis Drive, Warner Robins
- Hibachi Express, 1080 Ga. 96, Suite 600, Warner Robins
- Sweet of Life, 778 Ga. 96, Suite 130, Bonaire
- BBQ Monster’s Vending & Catering, 736 Carroll St., Suite 1, Perry
- Smoothie King, 770 Ga. 96, Suite 250, Bonaire
- Huddle House, 215 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins
- Papa John’s, 100 North Houston Road, Suite H, Centerville
- McDonald’s, 1979 Watson Blvd., Warner Robins
- China House, 1019 St. Patrick’s Drive, Perry
Also earning 100s during routine inspections were these food trucks that operate out of Houston County:
- D&D Burger, Wings and Things
- Kona Ice of Houston County
- Phatboy’z Smokehouse
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.
This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 5:00 AM.