Food Safety Grades Revealed for Beaufort County Restaurants in August 2023

Food Safety Grades for Beaufort County Restaurants Released

Beaufort County recently witnessed a round of health inspections for several food businesses, and the results are in! With a mix of good and not-so-good news, it’s essential for local diners to stay informed about the eateries they choose to visit. Let’s break down the findings from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture for August 2023.

Wayback Burgers Takes a Bump Up

First on the list is Wayback Burgers located at 4 Bluffton Road, which initially scored a 82% (C) on August 21 during a routine inspection. Though their percentage might sound better than a “C,” the restaurant stuck with this grade due to ongoing issues. Among those noted were food handlers not washing their hands after managing customer checkout before donning gloves and handling food. Additionally, there were utensils stored improperly and cold food not meeting the correct temperature standards.

However, after some diligent work, they turned things around during a re-inspection on August 28, scoring a stellar 99% (A). A great comeback story!

El Super Market Remains Steady

El Super Market, found at 33 Sherington Dr., received a 92% (B) on August 27 during their inspection. Similar to Wayback, its percentage would typically qualify for an A, but due to recurring issues, they remained at B. Inspectors flagged several concerns, including unlabeled packaged foods, fly tape near prep areas, and even a bit of insect infestation. Noteworthy, they managed to maintain this grade without further re-inspections during the month.

GT International Cafe Faces Criticism

Over at GT International Cafe, located at 807 William Hilton Parkway, they scored an 83% (B) on August 1. Violations included food handlers not following necessary handwashing protocols, lack of accessible sinks, and signs of rodent activity. It’s vital for diners to consider cleanliness, especially with food safety, and the café needs to step up its game!

Hewitt Oaks Keeps It Clean

Down the road, Hewitt Oaks, at 205 Stillwell Road, managed to receive a 92% (B) on August 15. They had concerns about a test kit malfunctioning and evidence of rodents, which kept them from a higher grade.

Okan Bluffton Events

Over at Okan Bluffton on 71 Calhoun St., during their inspection on August 2, they graded a 98% (B) but had to deal with coding issues involving their meat packaging processes.

Okatie Ale House Under Scrutiny

Now here’s one you might want to pay attention to—Okatie Ale House at 25 William Pope Court scored 79% (B) on August 28. This inspection uncovered lots of problems, including a dead fly in a bucket of fish, improper food storage, and even cockroaches showing up. It seems they have a lot to fix to create a safer dining environment.

Positive Vibes at Palmetto Hall

On a positive note, Palmetto Hall Country Club achieved a 95% (B) during their August 2 inspection despite some minor infractions like missing sanitizing strips and a floor issue.

A Look Across the River: Jasper County

Let’s take a moment to check out Jasper County where Savannah Pizza Co. at 7728 Main Street was inspected on August 21 and received 90% (B). They had several issues as well; including improperly stored food and dirty walk-in units. However, after a follow-up inspection on August 26, they made impressive strides to achieve an A!

Understanding the Grades

For those wondering, health inspectors assign grades based on conditions observed during their inspections—points are deducted for a range of violations. Restaurants have the opportunity to fix these issues and improve their scores during re-inspections.

As a notice to all diners: make sure to pay attention to these health grades when you’re out and about. Health inspections ensure our community stays safe and we can enjoy our favorite food spots! Keep dining smart, folks!