Beaufort County Food Businesses Rated with “B” Grades in September Health Inspections
Beaufort, SC
In an effort to keep our community informed, we’ve uncovered some recent health inspection results from local food establishments here in Beaufort County. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture conducted routine inspections throughout September, and several spots were given a “B” grade, indicating areas for improvement.
First up is Amigos, located at 133 Belfair Village Drive, which received an 86% (B) on September 17. Inspectors noted some issues, including a food handler washing utensils without performing the necessary sanitizing step. Additionally, they found a lack of date marking for various ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, such as pinto beans and salsa. Thankfully, Amigos was reinspected the following day and achieved an impressive score of 97% (A). It’s great to see quick actions that lead to improvement!
Moving on to Brays Island Inn/Restaurant, at 100 William Campbell Road, this establishment scored a 79% (B) on September 18. Concerns included employees handling food with bare hands and no soap at the hand sink in the prep area. However, a follow-up inspection on September 24 showed a significant turnaround with a perfect score of 100% (A). This is a testament to their commitment to food safety.
Next, we have La Poblanita Restaurant, located at 4490 Bluffton Park Crescent. This popular eatery received a 78% (B) on September 24. Inspectors discovered several issues, including improper temperatures for cooling cooked foods and a heavy presence of flies. Their follow-up inspection is yet to be reported, but we are hopeful they’ll improve upon the first score.
Also getting a B grade was Local Pie, located at 15 State of Mind Street, with a score of 87% on September 17. Problems included food handlers drinking from open cups and an unclean ice machine. However, after a reinspection just a day later, they jumped all the way to 100% (A) by addressing these issues promptly.
On September 25, Taco Fiesta was inspected, earning an 85% (B). Observations included improperly stored food and a hot water issue at the hand sink. A follow-up inspection is scheduled shortly, and we are eager to learn how they’ll correct these concerns.
Lastly, we have Young’s BBQ, which scored a solid 98% (B) in a follow-up inspection. Although this score would typically indicate an A, they maintained a B grade due to ongoing violations, such as the absence of a certified food protection manager on duty. They were reinspected on September 19 and improved to 97% (A).
It’s worth noting that we also have food establishments in Jasper County that were inspected during this time. For instance, the Rio Chico Mexican Restaurant at 468 D Mark Cummings Road earned a 79% (B) on September 11. Concerns included food not being kept at required temperatures, and violations led to a follow-up inspection that scored 86% (C).
Throughout September, the SCDA conducted a total of 321 inspections across Beaufort County and 46 inspections in Jasper County. These inspections are vital in ensuring our local eateries uphold the safety and health standards we all expect.
With health decals reflecting these grades now also featuring QR codes, customers can easily access the latest reports on their phones. It’s an exciting step towards transparency and health consciousness.
By keeping an eye on our local dining options, we can all contribute to maintaining the standards expected for food safety in our beloved Beaufort. Let’s continue to enjoy our meals while being aware of the importance of health inspections. If you’re visiting any of these eateries, don’t hesitate to ask about their latest scores or practices. Your health is paramount!
