Myrtle Beach Restaurant Inspections: What’s Cooking Under the Hood?
Hey Myrtle Beach! It’s that time again where we take a peek behind the scenes of some of our favorite local eateries. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture recently completed inspections on a total of 155 restaurants across Horry and Georgetown County from September 7 to September 13, and let’s just say, there were a few surprises in the kitchen, mainly concerning food safety!
What Were the Numbers?
Out of the bunch, only three restaurants scored below a 90, which is the benchmark score for health and safety in our beloved food establishments. That’s a pretty good sign overall, but let’s dive a little deeper into what inspectors found in some of the establishments.
Round-Up of Notable Inspections
1. Sbarro the Original NY Pizza
Located at 2000 Coastal Grand Circle, this popular pizza spot rolled in with a score of 80 during a routine inspection on September 9. Inspectors flagged a few issues, like:
- Unsafe temperature: Marina foods were not kept at the needed temperature.
- Outdated food: Ready-to-eat items, such as meatballs and sausage, were marked with dates over a week old!
- Mixing it up: Soiled mixing bowls were found unwashed from the previous day — yikes!
- Grimy buildup: The conveyor oven and kitchen ceiling vents had some serious buildup.
So, if you’re craving that pepperoni slice, you might want to check on how fresh those ingredients are!
2. Golden Griddle Pancake House
Next up, we have the 🥞 Golden Griddle Pancake House on 508 Main St. in North Myrtle Beach, which received a score of 82 on September 10. Some highlights from their inspection include:
- Personal items: Cigarettes and cell phones chilling on food prep tables mixed with clean dishes — gross!
- Temperature control issues: Foods like eggs and cheese not having documented time out of temperature control.
- Clutter on the floor: Boxes of single-use dishes stored on the floor — not cool.
- Food debris: There was food and debris hanging out on the floor and shelving of the refrigerator.
Looks like they might need to consider a deep clean before flipping any more pancakes!
3. Blue Drum
Lastly, we stopped by Blue Drum located on 4436 Kingsport Road in Little River, which came in with a score of 82 during its inspection on September 10. Noteworthy violations included:
- Crab meat crisis: Improperly reheated crab meat and grits.
- Cups on the floor: Not exactly where cups should be stored!
- Building requirements: Issues with lights, doors, and walls — who needs that?
Looks like they have some work to do before their next tasty dish can hit the tables!
What’s Next?
A follow-up inspection is scheduled for both Golden Griddle and Blue Drum on September 20. Hopefully, they’ll be able to clean up their acts. As for Sbarro, folks are likely keeping an eye on their food freshness!
Moral of the story, Myrtle Beach? Always check in on your favorite dining spots and make sure they’re showing us the cleanliness and food safety we all deserve! Stay safe and happy eating!
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
