News Summary
Recent inspections by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture revealed troubling sanitation problems at several restaurants in Horry and Georgetown County. Out of 213 establishments inspected, only six received B grades, and one received a C grade. Violations included improper food storage, contamination issues, and poor hygiene practices. This alarming trend highlights the need for increased oversight and accountability in the restaurant industry.
Scary Stats: South Carolina Restaurants Cited for Serious Sanitation Problems!
This might just turn your stomach! Recent inspections conducted by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) revealed some shocking issues with a handful of restaurants in Horry and Georgetown County. In the inspection period from April 9 to April 23, a whopping 213 establishments were scrutinized for health and safety regulations, and the results were not pretty.
Grade Breakdown: Who’s Doing Good and Who’s Not?
The SCDA rates restaurants on a simple yet telling grading scale: A grades get 88-100 points, B grades fall between 78-87, and anyone below 77 gets a C grade. Out of all those inspected, six restaurants earned B grades, and only one managed to scrape through with a C grade. So, who’s on the naughty list?
The Offenders: A Closer Look
Let’s dig into the details of the less fortunate eateries:
- Ocean Creek Beach Club Bar and Grill in Myrtle Beach scored a dismal 79 points. Violations included raw chicken being thawed improperly and an employee skipping handwashing between tasks. To make matters worse, they were lacking sanitizer in their dishwasher and buckets, and there was even a malfunction with the automatic closure at the service window!
- Sureway Grocery in Conway fared only slightly better with a score of 81. Inspectors were taken aback when they found a live roach in the cabinets. On top of that, food was not properly labeled, and some ready-to-eat items were stored at uncomfortably low temperatures. The cherry on top? The store was under construction and forgot to inform the SCDA about it!
- Pub International, another Myrtle Beach spot, scored 84 but had its fair share of problems. The kitchen was running a pantry of expired food and was caught with improper storage temperatures. There were even chemicals and food stored in unlabeled containers, which raised some serious eyebrows.
Other Notables That Didn’t Shine
But the horror doesn’t stop there! In addition to these alarming grades, several other restaurants faced scrutiny:
- Charleys Philly Steaks bagged a 74 with reckless glove use and food stored directly on the floor.
- Dirty Don’s Oyster Bar & Grill scored low at 75 with improperly stored oysters and raw chicken contaminating ready-to-eat foods.
- Meanwhile, Jupiter Pies was tagged with a 77, with moldy food and unclean surfaces causing quite a stir.
- NY Pizza Kitchen Bar & Grill and their score of 78 raised questions about dirty utensils and poor safety practices.
The Overarching Issue: A Pattern of Violations
Looking back, it’s clear that this isn’t the first time some of these places have landed in hot water. From January 2 to January 9 alone, 107 inspections were reported, with five B grades and three C grades dished out. Concerns ranged from moldy food to raw meat contamination. For example, Little Caesars Pizza in Conway received a score of 76, citing a lack of food handler certifications among staff, further emphasizing ongoing sanitation challenges.
Follow-Up Inspections Required
The alarming reality is that many of these eateries will need follow-up inspections to ensure there’s improvement. In the report, several restaurants showed clear signs of needing stricter oversight due to severe infractions encountered during the evaluations. As diners, it’s crucial to stay informed and hold our favorite eateries accountable for the food they serve.
So the next time you’re grabbing a bite to eat, don’t hesitate to check their health grades! Safety starts with a clean kitchen, after all.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Horry and Georgetown County Restaurants Face Health Violations
Myrtle Beach Restaurant Inspections Raise Concerns Over Food Safety
South Carolina Restaurant Inspections Reveal Health Violations
Health Violations Exposed in Myrtle Beach Restaurant Inspections
Additional Resources
- Myrtle Beach Online: Health Inspection Report
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- AOL: Restaurant Sanitation Issues
- Google Search: Restaurant Sanitation Problems
- Myrtle Beach Online: Recent Restaurant Inspections
- Google Scholar: Restaurant Health Inspection
- AOL: Health Code Violations in Restaurants
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Foodborne Illness
- Myrtle Beach Online: Sanitation Reports
- Google News: Restaurant Sanitation Reports
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.
