Beaufort County Restaurants Make the Grade: Health Inspections

News Summary

In Beaufort County, several restaurants recently received B grades during health inspections by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Yummy House, GT International Cafe, Subway, and El Don Juan are among those who faced issues ranging from improper food storage to inadequate sanitation practices. However, many of these eateries quickly turned their scores around upon follow-up inspections. With DHEC conducting 185 inspections in December alone, diners are encouraged to stay informed about their local dining options and prioritize health and safety.

Beaufort County Restaurants Making the Cut: Health Inspections Reveal B Grades

Beaufort County, it’s time to check in on our local dining spots! Recently, three restaurants received “B” grades during the health inspections conducted by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). While a B grade is nothing to sneeze at, we all know that A is always the aim. Let’s dive into the details of these inspections and see who’s serving up scrumptious meals while keeping our health in mind.

Yummy House Gets a Second Chance

First up is Yummy House, which scored a solid 82% (B) during the inspection on December 6. Some red flags popped up—like inadequate hand washing between the buffet and food prep areas, and food items like mouthwatering meat and egg rolls not being stored with protective covers. Yikes! They also had issues with eggs not being kept cold enough, plus some food items missing those all-important date marks. But here’s the good news: after a follow-up inspection on December 13, they turned it around spectacularly, scoring a 100% (A). Hats off to them for that!

GT International Cafe Steps Up

Next on the list is GT International Cafe, which received an 86% (B) on December 11. Their inspection revealed some similar issues. Milk, eggs, and sauces were being kept at the wrong temperatures, bug spray and rat traps were way too close for comfort near the sink, and even a first aid kit was improperly stored on top of silverware—talk about a mix-up! But just like Yummy House, they didn’t let it hold them back. After a reinspection on December 19, they also bounced back to a pristine 100% (A).

Subway Faces a Few Hurdles

Then there’s Subway, which scored an 83% (B) during its inspection on December 31. This favored sandwich spot had quite a few violations on its plate. They didn’t have any hand washing soap, drying towels, or signage near their sink. Not to mention, there was excessive black organic matter in soda nozzles and the ice machine—not the kind of stuff we want in our favorite subs! Following a reinspection on January 9, they improved to a score of 98% (A). Well done, Subway!

El Don Juan’s Struggles

Fast forward to January 8, and we find El Don Juan making a splash with its 83% (B) score. Like several others, they had issues with hand washing procedures and the accessibility of hand washing items. They also stumbled on properly storing chemical sanitizers near food prep areas—definitely a no-no! Plus, some unlabeled spray bottles were hanging out too close for comfort. The good news is that a reinspection is on the books for January 16, so we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for how they do!

DHEC’s Inspection Breakdown

It’s important to note that health inspection scores run from A (88% to 100%), B (78% to 87%), and C (77% or lower). DHEC conducted an impressive 185 inspections in Beaufort County throughout December. If you’re curious about the latest grades, they’re now super easy to access via the DHEC website, complete with QR codes on the new food-grade decals.

So Beaufort County diners, as you head out for your next meal, just remember these scores! Here’s hoping all our local haunts aim for that A grade and keep serving those delicious dishes with a side of health and safety!