What Now Atlanta has brought back our monthly health inspection column to inform diners and to help businesses find solutions to the common health and safety issues they may run into during operations.
Inspections take into account foodborne illness risk factors, defined as “food preparation practices and employee behaviors most commonly reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks.” Also considered in inspections are good retail practices, described as “preventive measures to control the introduction of pathogens, chemicals, and physical objects into foods.”
Some violations are corrected on site during the inspection, while others have a time frame by which they must be corrected. Please note that these scores are from particular inspections in April 2024 and may not represent the current health inspection status of an establishment.
Eight establishments in Fulton County received failing health inspection grades of “U” (69 points or less out of 100) in April 2024, making it the worst month so far this year. January had seven failed inspections, February had four and March had three.
El Bandido Mex Mex Grill
Where: 1083 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Date: April 17, 2024
Score: 56
Inspection notes: Buildup of food and debris along kitchen walls and behind and underneath ice machine, cooking equipment and steam table; missing or broken knobs on stove and grill; melted bags of ice, ice cream and thawed meats in walk-in freezer; molded jalapeños, corn and tomatoes (View full report here)
Extreme Teriyaki Grill Express
Where: 1801 Howell Mill Rd NW #610, Atlanta, GA 30318
Date: April 4, 2024
Score: 53
Inspection notes: Grease buildup on floors, walls and ceiling; food stored in walk-in cooler with no dates; food stored directly on floor (View full report here)
Fry & Fork
Where: 85 5th St NW D1, Atlanta, GA 30332
Date: April 3, 2024
Score: 54
Inspection notes: Mold-like buildup on ice machine in kitchen; wings stored with no covering; front door to the facility left open (View full report here)
Harold’s Chicken Shack
Where: 5495 Old National Hwy C3, College Park, GA 30349
Date: April 25, 2024
Score: 55
Inspection notes: Employees observed with no hair restraints; rodent droppings found inside dry storage area on racks; most current inspection report not prominently displayed in public view (View full report here)
Holy Spirit Preparatory School
Where: 4820 Long Island Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
Date: April 11, 2024
Score: 61
Inspection notes: Spoiled cucumbers; failure to discard previously served food; back door of kitchen left open (View full report here)
Lavash Mediterranean Grill
Where: 345 Pharr Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Date: April 2, 2024, and April 11, 2024
Score: 57 and 51, respectively
Inspection notes: Personal cell phone on top of prep table; several food containers not labeled; no person in charge at time of inspection; dishes and surfaces washed without hot water; food stored in trash bag; roaches observed in facility (View full reports here and here)
Yasin’s Homestyle Seafood
Where: 5340 Old National Hwy, College Park, GA 30349
Date: April 1, 2024
Score: 67
Inspection notes: Build-up of slimy substance in interior of ice machine; cracks and holes on the walls, ceiling, wall base and equipment; several food containers not labeled (View full report here)
Don Chon
Where: 616 S Central Ave, Atlanta, GA 30354
Date: April 2, 2024
Score: 67
Inspection notes: Raw chicken stored above cooked shrimp, raw vegetables, raw fish; raw fish stored on top of a container of beans; debris on equipment and inside coolers (View full report here)
Fortunately, there are solutions to health and safety issues that dining establishments can encounter, especially when it comes to a dirty ice machine, a common reason for failed health inspections. What Now Atlanta is teaming up with Preferred Partner Easy Ice to help. Easy Ice offers commercial ice machine equipment subscriptions so business owners can be sure their beverages are crystal-clear of any issues. In addition to equipment, the brand offers preventive maintenance, repairs and a 24/7 ice machine service line.
Stay tuned for next month’s installment of failed health inspections. In the meantime, here are additional resources from Easy Ice to help keep your ice machine in good shape:
