Restaurant Grades: Know Then Go

Below are this week's results of recent Gwinnett County restaurant inspections in Greater Lilburn by the East Metro Health District, which covers Gwinnett, Rockdale and Newton counties. Each report includes a synopsis of some of the deficiencies found by the inspector.

Burger King, 4734 Highway 29

Score: 89/B

Inspection type: Routine

Previous scores: 87/B on July 9, 2011 and 93/A on Jan. 23, 2011

Violations cited: Hamburger patties weren't cooked to the minimum safe temperature. Corrected on site. To-go cups weren't protected from contamination at the counter. Corrected on site.

Mila's Pupuseria, 950 Indian Trail-Lilburn Road

Score: 87/B on Feb. 16

Inspection type: Not listed

Previous scores: 85/B on Dec. 5, 2011 and 66/U on Nov. 29, 2011

Violations cited: Plain pupusa, pork pupusa and chicharron weren't kept cold enough. Corrected on site. The temperature adjustment knob on the prep cooler was broken.  Gallon milk jugs were being reused, but the inside of the handle can't be properly cleaned. Corrected on site.

Papa John's Pizza, 4585 Highway 29

Score: 89/B on Feb. 17

Inspection type: Routine

Previous scores: 91/A on Oct. 4, 2011 and 98/A on Feb. 10, 2011

Violations cited: An employee put shredded cheese on a pizza using bare hands and while talking on a cell phone. Corrected on site. The vegetable sink and compartment sink needed cleaning. Wet mops weren't hung to air dry. Corrected on site.

Pizza Hut, 4104 Highway 29

Score: 87/B on Feb. 21

Inspection type: Routine

Previous scores: 94/A on Oct. 21, 2011 and 95/A on Jan. 20, 2011

Violations cited: An employee used bare hands to put ingredients on a pizza, and an employee was chewing gum while preparing food. Both corrected on site.

Quisqueya Restaurant and Lounge, 950 Indian Trail

Score: 81/B on Feb. 16

Inspection type: Routine

Previous inspections: 100/A on Dec. 22, 2011

Violations cited: Raw eggs were stored above tomato paste and peppers in a cooler. Corrected on site. Garlic mixed with olive oil was kept at room temperature with no time control in place. Corrected on site. Goat meat hadn't cooled down enough after cooking. Corrected on site. Doors and gaskets of a reach-in cooler needed cleaning.

Smoothie King, 4747 Stone Mountain Highway

Score: 99/A on Feb. 18

Inspection type: Routine

Previous scores: 96/A on Aug. 25, 2011 and 100/A on Feb. 14, 2011

Violations cited: Scoop handles were in direct contact with food ingredients. Corrected on site.

Taqueria Los Hermanos, 4760 Lawrenceville Highway

Score: 83/B on Feb. 18

Inspection type: Not noted

Previous scores: 91/A on Dec. 21, 2011 and 66/U on Dec. 20, 2011

Violations cited: An employee wearing gloves handled dirty dishes, then took off the gloves and rinsed hands. Then the employee handled clean dishes from the dish machine. Corrected on site. Some containers of foods in a cooler weren't covered. Corrected on site. Clams and mussels weren't in their original containers. An expired food service permit from 2011 was on display.

Thirsty's Bar and Grill, 3907 Burns Road

Score: 54/U on Feb. 17

Inspection type: Not noted

Previous scores: 88/B on Dec. 22, 2011 and 73/C on Dec. 15, 2011

Violations cited: The person in charge wasn't knowledgeable about safe food preparation requirements (temperatures, time controls). Corrected on site. One handwashing sink was blocked and another didn't have paper towels. Corrected on site. Raw calamari was stored above french fries in a cooler, and raw chicken above a bucket of pickles. Corrected on site. Lettuce in a cooler was in contact with an unclean container lid, sliced tomato was unwrapped on an unclean lid covering the pico de gallo in the prep cooler, and a bag of potato boats was open inside a freezer. Corrected on site. Surfaces that come into contact with food weren't being cleaned often enough. The inside of the microwave needed cleaning. Sliced ham and turkey dated Dec. 20 were still being used, and some foods didn't have time control labels. Corrected on site. There was no thermometer in the reach-in cooler and no thermometer to measure the temperature of cooked meat. The tubing of the soda gun at the bar was in direct contact with ice used for drinks. Click here to see the full report.