News Summary
Two restaurants in Myrtle Beach have been temporarily closed following health inspections revealing critical violations. Damon’s Oceanfront Grill and Sushi King Steak and Seafood were among the establishments that scored below acceptable thresholds for food safety. Issues included improper food storage and pest presence. Several other restaurants showed significant improvement after follow-up inspections, highlighting the importance of compliance with health regulations as summer tourism peaks in the area.
Myrtle Beach – Two local restaurants have been temporarily closed following health inspections conducted by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) in Horry and Georgetown County. Inspections were performed on a total of 236 restaurants from June 21 to July 3, resulting in two establishments receiving C grades and several others identified with critical health violations.
Damon’s Oceanfront Grill, located at 2985 S. Ocean Blvd., scored 76 points, placing it below the acceptable threshold for food safety. Significant violations included the presence of flies in the kitchen, uncooked chicken contaminating cooked chicken wings, and raw meat being stored inappropriately. Additionally, inspectors noted improperly thawed fish, an inadequate refrigerator temperature, and unapproved food storage practices. A follow-up inspection has been scheduled for on or before July 12 to reassess the establishment’s compliance with health standards.
Similarly, Sushi King Steak and Seafood, situated at 4036 River Oaks Drive, received a score of 78 during a routine inspection on June 25. The reported violations included a lack of certification for food handling personnel, improper food storage temperatures, and the absence of date markings on sushi rice. However, a follow-up inspection on July 1 demonstrated significant improvement, resulting in a score of 98 points.
Another establishment, Soberano Meat Market, located at 5023 Dick Pond Road, also scored 78 points during an inspection. Violations included raw meat being stored above ready-to-eat foods, the absence of a certified food handler, and noticeable air gaps around doors. Subsequent to a follow-up inspection on June 2, the store improved its score to 98 points.
King Kong Sushi Bar and Grill, at 2144 Oakheart Road, similarly received 78 points due to violations such as flies in the kitchen, lack of food handling certification, missing discard dates, and failure to document parasite control. This establishment managed to score 96 points in a follow-up inspection on July 1.
Additionally, Hippie Hen House, located at 2144 Oakheart Road, was temporarily closed because of temperature violations in their refrigeration system. A follow-up inspection the next day resulted in a perfect score, indicating compliance with health regulations.
Paisano of Surfside, found at 720 Highway 17 Business N., received a score of 83. Reported violations included curdled milk, improper food stacking, and unkempt areas with maggots. After a follow-up inspection on July 3, the restaurant scored 92 points.
Dagwoods Deli and Sports Bar, located at 600 N. Kings Highway, voluntarily closed due to insufficient refrigeration issues. Fortunately, a follow-up inspection the next day also resulted in a perfect score.
A separate inspection of Circle K Store #0479, situated at 1009 3rd Ave. S., resulted in a score of 85 during an inspection prompted by a customer complaint. Notable violations included rodent droppings, improper food storage, and absence of a certified food handler. A follow-up inspection is scheduled for on or before July 7.
The SCDA adjudicates restaurant grades based on a scoring system: scores ranging from 88 to 100 points correspond to an A grade, 78 to 87 points correspond to a B grade, and scores of 77 points or fewer result in a C grade. The department may also assign lower grades for repeated violations, ongoing enforcement actions, or situations posing severe health hazards.
As the summer tourism season continues in Myrtle Beach, ensuring that food establishments adhere to health and safety regulations is paramount for the well-being of residents and visitors alike.
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Additional Resources
- Myrtle Beach Online: Local Restaurant Inspections
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- AOL: Health Violations Report
- Google Search: Health Inspections Restaurants
- Myrtle Beach Online: Restaurant Violations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant
- AOL: Latest Food Safety News
- Google News: Food Safety Violations
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.
