Five Beaufort County food businesses were cited with “B” grades and another location was given a “C” in January’s health inspections by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control .
Here is a rundown of restaurants that received the lowest ratings in January.
El Don Juan: 1 Matthews Court Suite C, Hilton Head
El Don Juan scored 83% (B) on Jan. 8 in a routine inspection . Issues noted by inspectors included:
- Inadequate hand washing from food handlers and inaccessible hand washing items.
- Chemical sanitizers and chlorine were stored near food preparation areas and utensils were not properly cleaned.
- Unlabeled spray bottles were not stored properly along with medicines and personal items stored near food and utensils.
- Bags of vegetables were stored on the refrigerator floor. Utensils and bowls were stored in bins with broth, soup and other ingredients.
- A food sink was being used for hand washing.
- Facilities including the walls and floors were not properly sealed.
El Don Juan was reinspected on Jan. 17 and scored 100% (A) .
Okko: 95 Matthews Drive, Suite C, Hilton Head
Okko scored 78% (B) on Jan. 13 in a routine inspection . Issues noted by inspectors included:
- One food handler drinking from a cup with no lid at the sushi prep station.
- A food handler who had returned from a smoke break did not wash their hands before returning to the workstation. Another worker didn’t change gloves after dirtying their hands.
- The hand wash sink was blocked with equipment and couldn’t be used.
- A food handler touched raw chicken, then raw shrimp, and then touched clean equipment with soiled gloves.
- Items like wontons, dumplings, broccoli and raw eggs were stored at incorrect temperatures.
- Unlabeled spray bottles of chemicals were stored incorrectly. Inspectors also noted that medicine and personal items of the staff were stored alongside food and utensils.
Okko was reinspected on Jan. 21 and scored 100% (A) .
La Mexicana: 21 Simmonsville Road, Suite A, Bluffton
La Mexicana scored 75% (C) on Jan. 14 in a routine inspection . Issues noted by inspectors included:
- A food handler washed dirty utensils in the meat room hand sink. They also noted that plates and utensils were not properly sanitized.
- Meats such as chicken, ham, and pork were stored at temperatures that were too warm. Pork was also stored on an untreated wood stand.
- Food was not marked and dated correctly, with ready-to-eat foods being stored improperly.
- Medicine and supplements were stored inside the microwave and mixed with food items.
- Inspectors also noticed dirty spice containers were sitting next to raw meat.
La Mexicana was reinspected on Jan. 27 and scored 100% (A) .
La Poblanita: 216 May River Road, Bluffton
La Poblanita scored 81% (B) on Jan. 27 in a routine inspection . Issues noted by inspectors included:
- The hand sink in the meat area was blocked by food and equipment.
- A food handler touched raw chicken, then raw beef, and then touched clean equipment with soiled gloves.
- Chicken and pork were stored are incorrect temperatures. Inspectors also noted chicken and beef were also thawing at incorrect temperatures.
- Unlabeled spray bottles of chemicals were stored in the food preparation area.
- Raw beef and blood debris sat at the bottom of the meat area fridge.
La Poblanita has not been reinspected as of Feb. 6, but one is required within 10 days.
El Super Inc: 35 Sherrington Drive, Bluffton
El Super Inc. scored 96% (B) on Jan. 28 in a follow-up inspection . Issues noted by inspectors included:
- A large gap in the window allowed for the entry of pests and bugs into the establishment.
- Chlorine test strips for restaurant sanitation were not available.
- The address was not posted on the unit.
El Super Inc. has not been reinspected as of Feb. 6, but one is required within 10 days.
China Wok: 350 Shanklin Road, Suite 5, Beaufort
China Wok scored 86% (B) on Jan. 30 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:
- The restaurant did not have a date-marking system in use for items like ready-to-eat food and foods that require temperature control. Items like egg rolls, beef sticks, and shrimp were left without date marks.
- WD-40, paint cans and pesticides were stored with food products and utensils.
- Cardboard boxes and bags of food were stored on the floor along with food scoops being left in bins with rice, sugar and flour.
- The deep freezers were also in poor condition.
- Inspectors also noticed a large build-up of grease and food at the cook and preparation lines.
China Wok has not been reinspected as of Feb. 6, but one is required within 10 days.
What the grades mean
Inspectors give restaurants a grade of A, B, or C, depending on the conditions found at the time. Points are docked for various infractions, and restaurants have a chance to correct the problems and improve their score in a reinspection.
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A: 88% to 100%
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B: 78% to 87%
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C: 77% or less
During January, SCDA recorded 215 inspections of restaurants, schools, stores and other food establishments in Beaufort County. The agency publishes the results of these health inspections on its website …