Myrtle Beach Restaurant Inspection Updates: Grades and More
Hey Myrtle Beach friends! If you’re anything like us, you probably love dining out at our local favorites. But as much as we love our food, we also want to make sure that the restaurants we visit keep things clean and safe. Recently, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture wrapped up its latest round of inspections, and we’ve got the scoop on which restaurants made the cut and which ones might need to step up their game.
A Grading System That Matters
For those who might not know, the inspection grades work like this: scores between 88 and 100 earn an A grade, 78 to 87 get a B, and anything 77 or lower is a C. Of the 156 restaurants inspected in Horry and Georgetown County between September 13 and September 20, seven earned B grades while two lowest-scoring spots received C grades.
Bringing In the Grades
So, who are the winners and losers in this latest inspection round? Let’s break it down:
- C Grades:
- Billy the Kid’s Restaurant
- Circle K Subway – Located at 3710 Highway 501
- B Grades:
- AFC Sushi at Publix – 1576 Highway 17 North
- Bonefish Grille – 103 South Kings Highway
- El Buen Sabor Mexican and Centro
- Hooks Calabash Seafood
- Sugar Life Ice Cream and Candy
- Pho Claire
- Woodhaven Pancake House
Details on the B Graders
All seven restaurants that got B grades were close to an A but fell just short. Interestingly, only Hooks Calabash Seafood actually scored below 89 points with a score of 81. During a routine inspection on September 20, inspectors found a few things that raised concern, including:
- Flies buzzing around the shrimp and oyster area of the buffet
- Fly strips hanging up in the kitchen and storage areas
- Food items such as fish, shrimp, chicken, and imitation crab not kept at the right temperature
- Shellfish that weren’t marked with the last dates of use
- A dishwasher that wasn’t achieving the proper heat
The restaurant has a follow-up inspection scheduled for September 30, so keep your fingers crossed that they make the necessary improvements!
What This All Means
While the health and safety of our food is always a top priority, it’s important to note that sometimes restaurants can receive lowered grades even when their actual scores may reflect good overall performance. This can be due to past violations or enforcement actions, which means that a B grade doesn’t necessarily mean things are terrible—it’s just a sign that they may need to tighten up some processes.
Staying informed is key, folks. Whether you’re planning a dining out adventure or just curious about the spots you love, knowing how places are performing helps us all make smart choices. So, let’s keep an eye on our local restaurant scene and cheer on those places that are doing great job while being ready to steer clear of those that need a little extra attention!
Eat well, Myrtle Beach!
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.
