Three restaurants failed the health inspection conducted across Gwinnett, Rockdale, and Newton counties on January 30. The restaurants failed the inspection after they scored less than 69 points in the inspection and were given a “U” (unsatisfactory) grade. A common issue observed in the restaurants was the person-in-charge’s lack of overall active managerial control at the establishment.
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Maria’s Tex Mex in Dacula, Kang’s Table in Duluth, and Top Crawfish in Suwanee were the three restaurants that failed the inspection on Thursday. While it was a routine inspection for the former two, it was an additional required routine inspection for the latter. Among the restaurants, Maria’s Tex Mex scored the lowest, followed by Kang’s Table and Top Crawfish.
Highlights
- Three restaurants in Metro Atlanta failed the inspection on January 30 after various violations of the food code were observed.
- All 3 restaurants had a common issue regarding the person in charge at the respective establishments.
- The restaurants will now face a follow up inspection and are facing a potential suspension of their permit.
Three Restaurants Stamped with “U” Grade in Health Inspection
On the inspections conducted on January 30, a total of 28 restaurants were inspected. Among them, 6 restaurants scored a perfect 100, 18 got an A grade, three restaurants scored B, and two restaurants scored C. Other than the 3 that failed the inspection, the majority of the restaurants performed well in the inspections.
Two Repeat Violations and Other Issues at Marias Tex Mex

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Marias Tex Mex was the restaurant that scored the lowest points in Thursday’s inspection, scoring only 49. Among the several violations were two repeat violations. Inspectors observed raw chicken being stored above cooked chicken inside a prep cooler.
They also saw various food items like milk and cheese without labels indicating their opening or preparation dates. Repeat violations of the same code provisions result in a deduction of 2 points.
Other violations included employee drinks kept in an unapproved cup and lack of approved disinfectant to clean any incident of vomit or diarrhea. Jicamas (vegetable) and American cheese slices were seen with mold.
Other food items were seen to be stored past the expiry period of 7 days. A deep freezer with ice accumulation around the edges was also observed. Personal items of the employees were seen to be stored above facility food items in the dry storage room.

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A few more violations other than the ones stated above were observed at the restaurant. The full inspection report for Marias Tex Mex is available at the official website.
Kang’s Table Fails Inspection After Repeat Violations and Other Problems

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Kang’s Table was given an unsatisfactory score of 60 after the Health inspectors noted repeated violations at the restaurant in the case of multiple time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods stored above the required temperature. Yet another instance was in the case of a box of radishes that were seen to be stored on the floor in the dry storage area.
Other violations that were observed include the PIC placing the containers, dirty lids, and dirty spoons in a handwashing sink. Inspectors also saw repackaged raw chicken stored above frozen fishcakes, repackaged raw beef above fully cooked dumplings, and noodles resting on top of raw beef in different freezers.
Multiple bowls of rice were seen in hot hold below the required temperature. There were also multiple unapproved drinking cups kept throughout the kitchen and prep areas.
These and more violations were observed at the restaurant. The report also asked the restaurant to have the parasite destruction letter for seafood served raw to be kept on site. The full detailed report for the restaurant is available.
Top Crawfish Fails Inspection After PIC Arriving Late and Repeat Violations

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Top Crawfish scored 67 points in the inspection on Thursday. At the start of the inspection, the Person in Charge (PIC) was not present and arrived only an hour later. There must always be a PIC on the premises on the establishment at all times.
The report also noted instances of second consecutive violations. Employee drinks in unapproved containers were seen placed on several prep-top tables and coolers in the kitchen. The walk-in freezer had heavy ice accumulation on multiple food bags and boxes. These repeat violations resulted in additional point losses.
Among the other issues was the lack of soap and paper towels in the employee restroom. A Food handler was seen washing her hands on 3 3-compartment sink with unclean equipment. Another instance of a food handler touching their phone and not washing their hands afterward was also seen. There were also various instances of food not being stored properly, with separation protection in all the cold holding units. Food items were also seen being stored uncovered.
These are among the major issues observed at the restaurant. The full report for the restaurant has been released online by the officials.
Most of the issues at the restaurant that were observed were resolved on-site, during the inspection, under the supervision of the inspectors. Those issues that were not solved, however, will have to be addressed and rectified before the follow-up inspection. The follow-up inspection for all three restaurants will happen in 10 days or by February 7. If the repeat violations are observed a third consecutive time, it may result in the suspension of the permit of the restaurant. Moreover, if the restaurant gets 2 or more U grades in a row, it will lead to permit suspension.
Restaurants are expected to keep the risk factors that contribute to foodborne illnesses in check. They also have to adhere to public health interventions, which are control measures to prevent illness and injury. Moreover, they must follow good retail practices, which are preventive measures that keep the introduction of pathogens, chemicals and physical objects into the foods under control. When a restaurant is seen to fail in these aspects, repeatedly, they face permit suspension.