Myrtle Beach Restaurant Inspections Reveal Surprising Health Violations
Hey there, Myrtle Beach! If you’ve ever wondered about the cleanliness of your favorite local eateries, buckle up because we’ve got some news from the latest inspection round by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA). And trust me, it’s a real eye-opener!
What’s Cooking?
From November 2 to November 8, inspectors checked out a total of 113 restaurants in Horry and Georgetown Counties. Out of these, only a handful walked away with smiles from the inspectors. The SCDA’s scoring system awards restaurants with A grades for scores between 88 and 100, while scores of 78-87 receive a B grade. But here’s the twist: any restaurant scoring 77 points or fewer earns a C grade, and some establishments even faced downgrades due to ongoing issues or serious violations.
Out of all those inspections, just seven restaurants managed to snag B grades, and only one was left standing with a C. Let’s dive into some of the more concerning finds from the inspections.
The Dish on Dine-in Delights
First up, we have Las Comadres Express #3 located at 1101 Church St., Conway, with a not-so-hot score of 81 points. The inspectors found some alarming issues like raw meat stored over ready-to-eat foods—yikes! Additionally, pesky violations included dirty prep tables, unmarked food storage dates, and an outdoor water tank hose just chilling on the ground. Oh boy, they’ve definitely got some cleaning up to do before their follow-up inspection on November 15.
Next on the list is Sunhouse Petroleum #7 on Highway 905, also scoring 82 points. The inspectors observed that deli turkey was over a week old, and multiple items lacked proper date labeling. To make things worse, the safety levels for baked beans and sausage gravy weren’t cold enough, which can lead to some serious health risks. Will they get their act together by the follow-up on November 15? We’ll have to wait and see!
Party at the Pub—but Check the Kitchen!
Then there’s the Old Bull and Bush Pub and Eatery at 4700 Highway 17 Bypass, also scoring 82 points. Shockingly, they had some roast beef and jalapeno poppers over a week old, with even more issues including noodles and tomato sauce stored at unsafe temps. Dirty dishes tucked away as if clean? Not exactly reassuring for a night out. They’re scheduled for a follow-up on November 16, so keep those fingers crossed!
Big Easy Diner at 7050 Highway 90 in Longs pulled an 83 score and was busted for out-of-date macaroni and cheese and improperly thawed frozen foods. Talk about a kitchen nightmare! This diner will also have their chance for redemption with a follow-up on November 16.
Buzzing in the Kitchen
A rather unpleasant surprise awaited at Applebee’s Grill and Bar #1148 on Church Street, which scored a sketchy 85 points. This popular chain could use some help after inspectors found dead flies in a refrigerator, along with live flies and roaches crawling around in the kitchen. Yikes! The report also pointed out unkept sinks and an alarming buildup of grease and grime throughout. They’re due for a follow-up by November 14, so let’s hope they give their kitchen a good scrub!
Your Health Matters
As we wrap up this round of inspections, it’s a timely reminder for all of us to pay attention to hygiene standards at our favorite restaurants. Feeling peckish? Maybe hold off until we see how these eateries improve before indulging. After all, food safety is no laughing matter!
Stay tuned for more updates, Myrtle Beach! Your health and safety are worth every bite.
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.
