Two Bibb County restaurants fail routine health inspections. One is new to downtown Macon

A new restaurant in downtown Macon failed its first routine health inspection since opening in October, while another Bibb restaurant didn’t cut it either.

587 Southern Style Cuisine at 344 Second St. in downtown Macon received a “U” grade for “unsatisfactory compliance” with a score of 69 at its routine health inspection Nov. 18, according to what was reported in the state health department’s online portal Tuesday.

The restaurant bounced back two days later with a perfect 100 at its required followup inspection Nov. 20 with an “A” for “food safety excellence.”

Also during the reporting period of Nov. 1-30, Bombay Curry Restaurant at 3892 Bloomfield Village Drive failed its routine inspection Nov. 19 with a score of 65 and grade of “U.”

The restaurant scored an 84, getting a “B” for “satisfactory compliance” at its required follow-up inspection three days later on Nov. 22.

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 587 Southern Style Cuisine’s routine inspection Nov. 18, unspecified food was held in a prep top cooler for longer than acceptable under state food safety regulations, according to the inspection report.

Other violations included:

• The restaurant failed to have its original Certified Food Safety Manager certificate posted in public view, the report said.
• A paper towel dispenser at a handwashing station was not working.
• Menus did not have required disclaimers such as consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase risk of foodborne illness.
• Bleach was stored with multi-use drink cups and chemical spray bottles were stored with to-go boxes, the report said. Poisonous or toxic materials are to be stored separately to prevent potential contamination.
• To-go containers and plates were not stored inverted on the service line.
• Bare brick behind the fryer station was absorbing grease splash from fryers underneath flashing panels.
• A prop top cooler and a reach-in-cooler were not holding temperature due to malfunctions.
• Several unused or nonfunctional kitchen items such as a toaster oven and pressure cooker were stored in a dry storage cubby.
• The facility did not have a “current pest control schema” and was advised to obtain a certified pest control company with a monthly or quarterly contract.

The restaurant scored a 100 on its Sept. 16 initial inspection prior to opening.

Other failing grade

At Bombay Curry Restaurant’s routine inspection Nov. 19, chicken in a reach-in cooler was stored above the required 41 degrees or below required for food safety, according to the inspection report.

Other violations included:

• Cooked chicken, vegetables and lamb were either date marked incorrectly or not date marked at all.
• The inspector saw “mold-like build up” on an ice machine baffle which diverts ice to the back of the machine to prevent ice from building up.
• An approved thawing method was not used at a meat prep sink.
• Single use containers were used to store working supplies of dry goods. Single use items may not be reused under state regulations.
• The restaurant failed to have a certified food safety manager.
• No soap or a way to dry hands was available at a handwashing sink in the kitchen by the backdoor.
• The restaurant did not have chlorine test strips for chlorine sanitizers. State regulations require that sanitizing solutions must be tested with a test kit or approved device.
• A spray nozzle for a three-compartment sink used to wash, rinse and sanitize dishes was leaking.
• A roof/ceiling leak in the kitchen that was not affecting food prep or storage areas was observed.
• A two-piece kitchen handsink was turned off due to leaking. The handsink should be accessible at all times regardless of a leak, the report said. Also, the handsink did not have any paper towels.
• Food dishes were stored with the food contact surface exposed on the prep line.
• A door strip was needed at the back door.

At prior inspections, the restaurant scored a 91 for an “A” at its Feb. 16 routine inspection; a 91 and an “A” at its routine inspection July 19, 2023; a 91 for an “A” at its Dec. 29, 2022 inspection; a 93 for an “A” at its March 11, 2022 followup inspection; a 53 for a “U” at its routine inspection March 9, 2022; and a 95 for an “A” at its initial inspection Dec. 13, 2021 prior to opening.

Other restaurant scores

Meanwhile, most other Macon-Bibb restaurants and bars earned “A’s” on their routine health inspections in November. Seven of those earned perfect scores of 100.

Just under a dozen received “B’s,” while one restaurant was graded a “C” for “marginal compliance.”

Perfect scores

• Chick-fil-A, 140 Tom Hill Sr. Blvd.
• Clovis & Quill, 350 Second St.
• Dovetail, 543 Cherry St.
• Fresh Air Barbecue, 3076 Riverside Drive
• Idle Hour Country Club Pool Bar, 251 Idle Hour Drive
• Sake Hibachi & Sushi, 209 Tom Hill Sr. Blvd.
• Rosie’s Market, 777 Hemlock St.

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