Macon seafood restaurant fails its routine health inspection. Here’s what went wrong

A seafood restaurant in Macon failed its most recent routine health inspection after being cited for a variety of violations — including not keeping baked potatoes at the correct temperature for food safety.

Captain D’s at 5390 Thomaston Road scored a 61 on Dec. 12, causing a failing grade of “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance,” according to what was reported in the state health department’s online portal Thursday.

The restaurant bounced back with a score of 98 on Dec. 23 at its required followup inspection, with a grade of “A” for “food safety excellence.”

Environmental health inspectors assign grades based on how many points are deducted from 100, with scores of 69 and below considered failing. Follow-up inspections are required when a restaurant fails its routine inspection and generally take place within 10 days.

Failing grade

At its routine inspection Dec. 12, Captain D’s on Thomaston Road was cited for these violations, according to the health inspection report:

• Baked potatoes kept in warming cabinets were between temps of 80-123 degrees Fahrenheit, which is below the required 135 degrees Fahrenheit temperature for food safety.
• No prep/discard date was on fish, as required for food safety.
• The restaurant failed to cover food in the hot hold steam well, and did not cover flour stored above fryers as required to prevent potential overhead contamination.
• Food items in a reach-in, refrigerator-freeze combo unit were not covered to protect from potential overhead contamination.
• The restaurant failed to have at least one hand washing sink with hot water.
• An open container of dish soap was stored on a cutting board of a prep top unit. Dish soap should not be stored where it can potentially contaminate food.
• An employee’s hair was not restrained as required.
• The most recent health inspection score was not posted in public view as required.
• A drink machine near the drive-thru window had a leak that was producing an odor in the drive-thru area.
• A hot holding/warming cabinet in the main kitchen area was missing a covering/door.
• The environmental health inspector noted that the restaurant needs to “clean all areas (inside and out) of equipment throughout the facility (cold holding units, fryers) from food debris and built up grease.”
• A hand sink in the main kitchen area was clogged.
• Water was spraying out of a three-compartment sink that was missing a hot water handle.
• Broken floor tiles were observed in the cook/prep/fryer area that were starting to collect water.
• The walls behind hood vents had food splatter and grease buildup.

At prior inspections, the restaurant earned an 86 for a “B” on April 2, 2024; a 92 for an “A” on Nov. 8, 2023; a 94 for an “A” on May 17, 2022; a 95 for an “A” on Nov. 30, 2022; and a 98 for an “A” on April 28, 2022, according to what was reported in the online portal.

Other restaurant scores

Meanwhile, most Macon restaurants earned A’s on their routine inspections during the reporting period of Dec. 1-31 — including more than a dozen restaurants, bars and a food truck that achieved perfect scores of 100.

Eight restaurants earned “B’s” and only two received a “C,” according to what was reported in the online portal.

Best scores

Here are the restaurants, bars and a food truck with perfect scores:

• 20’s Pub, 3076 Riverside Drive
• Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 3652 Eisenhower Parkway
• Apt. 77, 401 Cherry St., Suite 101
• Barberitos, 652 New St.
• Billy’s Clubhouse, 1580 Forest Hill Road
• CC Fish House, 4032 Chambers Road, Unit A
• Chipotle Mexican Grill, 120 Tom Hill Sr. Blvd.
• Churchills On Cherry, 557 Cherry St.
• Dominio’s Pizza, 1687 Bass Road
• Fish & Pig, 6420 Mosley Dixon Road
• Guitarras Mexican Grill, 157 Tom HIll Sr. Blvd.
• Hello Boba Cafe, 359 Third St.
• La Parrilla Mexican Restaurant, 5080 Riverside Drive
• Macon Bagels, 470 Third St.
• Mercer Village Pizza 1635 Montpelier Ave., Suite A
• Motley Community Store, 901 Maynard St.
• Natalia’s, 201 North Macon St.
• Talk Story Coffee Co. food truck

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