As Charlotte’s restaurant selection continues to grow, many establishments are scrambling to attract customers and really letting their health standards slide in the process.
Some of the most common reasons for low scores were food handlers not washing their hands properly, contaminated food containers, and improper food temperatures (many restaurants are starting to use infrared thermometers to avoid this).
These were the worst inspection scores in Charlotte for July 2024;
#10 Brueggers Bagel Bakery
7828 REA RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28277
Scored 88 (B) on 7/15/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC with several priority violations and unsure of cold holding requirements.
- Observed several spray bottles of various cleaners being stored in hand sink in back prep area.
- Observed raw salmon being stored in prep flip top cooler behind ready to eat food items.
- Observed concentration level of approx. 150ppm of quat sanitizer in 3 compartment sink and sanitizer bucket at make line.
- Observed eggs hot holding in hot hold unit at prep counter below 135F.
- Observed containers of shredded cheese being held in prep reach in cooler and several items being held in both prep top and reach in portions of another reach in cooler all above 41F.
- Observed an open package of pre-cooked sausage being held in WIC without a date mark.
#9 123 Main Mexico
123 MAIN ST, PINEVILLE NC 28134
Scored 88 (B) on 7/29/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC failure to ensure proper food, safety for cold, holding, hot holding, proper cooling and proper date marking.
- EHS entered facility to observe staff eating employee meal in the kitchen at their food preparation stations.
- Observed true raw ceviche stored in top of prep unit. Prep unit top is not sealed, and raw fish was stored above ready to eat food below.
- Observed freshly made sanitizer in the three compartment sink at 100 ppm however, dish machine was not sanitizing properly, only 10 ppm chlorine.
- Observed rice hot holding in 133° and beans hot holding at 119.
- Observed all temperatures in walk-in cooler to be between 45 and 47°F.
- observed no date marking for any of the TCS prepared foods in the tops of multiple prep units CDIPIC had staff member put correct dates on.
- Observed clear solution and spray bottle stored above prep sink on labeled bottle open to smell.
#8 Popeyes
11318 N COMMUNITY HOUSE RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28277
Scored 88 (B) on 7/25/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed several food code violations at the facility. (hot holding, hand washing, cleaning frequency, among other violations.
- Observed employee work with raw chicken then go to complete other tasks, at several different times.
- Observed employee wash hands without soap.
- Observed no soap at handwashing sink.
- Observed knife heavily soiled, stored cleaned on the knife rack.
- Observed soiled dishes stored clean in the clean dish storage rack.
- Observed potatoes holding below 135F.
- Observed several slaws labeled Q in the low reach in cooler in the very back.
#7 El Carbonero
4400 CENTRAL AV, CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Scored 87.5 (B) on 7/19/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed several food safety violations pertaining to cold holding, cooling methods, hand washing, storage order and cross contamination.
- Observed no CFPM on site.
- Observed employee touch raw meat, then go to the front line to contact clean surfaces of equipment/ utensils.
- Observed raw beef stored over plaintains and raw shrimp stored over cooked chicken in the tall reach in.
- Observed raw eggs stored over beans in the walk in cooler. Observed steak and shrimp stored over an opened container of plaintains.
- Observed employee washing his gloves used for raw meat in the sink.
- Observed soiled pan washed without being soaked in sanitizer.
- Observed cabbage in prep top 1 holding above 41F.
- Observed salad, tomatoes and lettuce in prep top 2 holding above 41F.
- Observed raw chicken, beef, pork and churizo in prep top 3 holding above 41F.
- Observed raw chicken and shrimp in low reach in 3 holding above 41F.
- Observed chicken in the tall reach in holding above 41F.
- Observed several gnats and flies in the kitchen area.
#6 Tap and Vine
7828 REA RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28277
Scored 87 (B) on 7/1/2024 (rescored to 93.5 on 7/12/24)
They had the following violations;
- Observed raw mahi stored over ready to eat sauces in reach in cooler.
- Observed raw tuna stored over ready to eat items in reach in cooler.
- Observed mashed potatoes below 135F that employee stated he reheated to 141F 2 hours prior.
- Observed buffalo chicken dip reheating in steam table with 30 min left still at 116F. First temperature after reheating for 1 hour was 85F.
- Observed double boiler with au jus and beef broth stored on grill below 135F.
- Observed one ice machine plastic door cracked.
- Observed appetizer cooler is not maintaining 41F and below even after being repaired.
#5 Irie Nation
440 EAST MCCULOUGH DR., CONCORD, NC 28262
Scored 86.5 (B) on 7/15/2024
They had the following violations;
- No one at facility has taken or passed an ANSI accredited test.
- Jerk chicken at steam table was below 135 F. Chef stated that it was cooked this morning.
- Observed curry chicken, oxtails, Mac and cheese, beans, rice and peas, jerk chicken, and raw chicken stored in walk-in cooler above 41 F. Items were placed in walk-in cooler last night according to chef.
- Observed food from yesterday that was stored in walk-in cooler and glass-door ice cooler (not approved) that was not dated.
- Observed bags of cabbage and onions that were stored on the floor in walk-in cooler.
#4 Mezeh Mediterranean Grill
4920 OLD SARDIS RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28211
Scored 86 (B) on 7/3/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC unable to answer questions on proper reheating procedures and had several Priority violations during inspection today in which PIC could not display knowledge on corrective action.
- A Certified Food Protection Manager was not onsite during inspection.
- Observed empty hand soap dispenser at hand sink next to PIC desk.
- Observed a container of spicy lamb kefta being reheated in hot box for over 2 hours.
- Observed a container of falafel being held at 122F on serving line and 3 containers of rice being held at 90F and a container of chicken being held at 110F in hot box.
- Observed individually portioned to go containers of tziki sauce being held at 67F on serving line and all TCS foods being held above 41F in WIC.
- Observed a container of tabouleh being held in 3 door prep reach in cooler at prep line missing a date mark.
- Observed a container of baba ganoush being held in 3 door prep reach in cooler date marked 6/27, one day past its expiration.
- Observed all items being held on TPHC on serving line without a time marked to indicate when the 4 hour period has elapsed.
- Observed a spray bottle of sanitizer being held at front counter with no label.
#3 Red Lobster
9415 PINEVILLE-MATTHEWS RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28134
Scored 86 (B) on 7/17/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed employees touch face and reach in pocket hand handle personal items then proceed to handle clean equipment but not wash hands before handling clean equipment.
- Observed opened containers of raw fish stored over RTE hushpuppy mix in open containers in freezer.
- Observed black soil residue accumulating on internal baffle of ice machine.
- Observed several plates, utensils and can opener stored as clean but soiled.
- Observed lobster cooked to 138 degrees F.
- Observed cut tomato recently prepared according to PIC cooling at 52 degrees F at 12:13 in deep covered container.
- Observed mashed potato hot held at 122 degrees F and marinara sauce at 119 degrees F.
- Observed lettuce cold held at 46 degrees, Cole slaw at 43 degrees F and pasta at 44 degrees F cold held in produce walk in cooler.
- Observed cheese cold held at 50 degrees F and sour cream cold held at 49 degrees F and tomato cold held at 52 degrees F on serving line.
- Observed pasteurized crab meat not date marked.
#2 Mr Tokyo Japanese Restaurant
10012 BENFIELD RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28269
Scored 84 (B) on 7/23/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed employee wash hands then use clean hands to turn off faucets.
- Observed employee wipe nose with bare hands the placed gloves on without hand wash.
- Observed employee wipe nose and then don new pair of gloves without hand wash.
- Observed employee grab RTE food (peeled cucumber) with bare hands to slice for sushi bar.
- Observed hand sink in back with towel and hand sink in front of facility with food debris.
- Observed several plate and appetizer plates stacked as clean with food debris.
- Observed salads, Cream cheese, tuna and shrimp above 41F please see temp chart.
- Observed back door held open by boxes and no shield from outside pests from entering.
#1 American Deli
5700 UNIVERSITY POINTE BV, CHARLOTTE NC 28262
Scored 78 (C) on 7/22/2024
They had the following violations;
- Observed PIC is not ensuring that the rules of the food food are maintained and following safe food handling.
- Observed no one wash their hands within the 2 hours of inspecting.
- Observed employees handling raw meat, leaving work station multiple times, and touching door handles and prep top handles, and never stop to wash their hands.
- Observed raw chicken above bread in the walk in freezer. Chicken was not frozen.
- Observed raw chicken above lamb meat for gyros in walk in freezer. Meat was not frozen.
- Observed dicer and strainer stored as clean with food debris.
- Observed sanitizer water in 3 comp sink at 0ppm chlorine.
- Observed inside of ice machine door and white shield in ice machine with large amount of buildup.
- Observed turkey, ham, and yellow and white American cheese slices in prep top above 41F. Containers were filled past fill line.
- observed ranch and tartar sauce cups being held out of refrigeration above 41F (package states keep refrigarated).
- Observed sanitizer bucket on counter top next to single service sauce cups and lids.
- Observed container of sliced onions on the floor in the back. Employee was actively slicing onions and putting it in a container on the floor.
If you’d like to monitor health scores or do a quick search for a restaurant you’re about to eat at, check out North Carolina’s health inspection database here.
