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 deficiencies found by the inspector.

Dec. 22

Name and Location: Bushels Seafood Cafe, 4050 Five Forks Trickum Road

Score: 90/A

Previous scores: 87/B on April 27, 2011 and 97/A on March 21, 2011

Violations cited: Employees were eating in food prep and storage areas. The kitchen hand sink was blocked by boxes and equipment. The plumbing system was not in good repair. Facility needed detailed cleaning under the equipment such as coolers and ice bins. The door seal was coming off the back door.

Name and Location: McDonald's, 4133 Lawrenceville Highway

Score: 94/A

Previous scores: 78/C on Dec. 13, 2011 and 91/A on April 4, 2011

Violations cited: Packaged food and single-service articles had been stored under unshielded sewer lines in the basement. The wood shelving in the basement was in disrepair and no longer easily cleanable. The tile along the wall by the mop sink was missing/damaged.

Name and Location: Thirsty's Bar and Grill, 3907 Burns Road

Score: 88/B

Previous scores: 73/C on Dec. 15, 2011 and 84/B on April 15, 2011

Violations cited: The bar's hand wash sink had ice and a lime slice in it, and the hand wash sink by the meat and vegetable prep sinks did not have paper towels around it. Salt and pepper glasses by the grill were not covered. Three containers of buttermilk were expired. The most recent inspection report was not posted as required.

Name and location: Boston Market, 4774 Lawrenceville Highway

Score: 91/A

Previous scores: 75/C on Dec. 17, 2011 and 94/A on March 3, 2011

Violations cited: The ice machine's interior still had some mold-like substance. The employee serving food was not wearing gloves and fingernails were longer than the tips of the finger. The most recent health score had not been posted. The temperature in the open self-service display was above 41 degrees.

Name and location: Cafe Area 504, 950 Indian Trail Road

Score: 85/B

Previous scores: 100/A on Nov. 9, 2011

Violations cited: The person in charge didn't include sanitizer and detergent steps in their dishwashing procedure. The employee was also unaware of the restricting, excluding and reporting requirements. There was no soap or paper towels at the kitchen's hand washing sink, and the bar's sink was blocked by plastic bags and other items. Chicken was thawed at the incorrect temperature.

Name and location: Fisherman's Catch, 4132 Stone Mountain Highway

Score: 98/A

Previous scores: 97/A on May 20, 2011 and 98/A on Aug. 20, 2010

Violations cited: The sink drain at the hand sink had stopped up and must be repaired.

Name and location: Hunan Garden, 4051 Stone Mountain Highway

Score: 98/A

Previous scores: 88/B on June 30, 2011 and 90/A on Sept. 23, 2010

Violations cited: Clean utensils were stored in unclean containers. The floors and walls were not considered easily cleanable. The cove base was missing around the wall/floor area in the kitchen.

Dec. 21

Name and location: Bailen's Pub, 865 Indian Trail Road

Score: 92/A

Previous scores: 95/A on June 24, 2011 and 93/A on Sept. 22, 2010

Violations cited: The dish machine was not dispensing adequate moisturizer, and the sanitizer container was found empty. A nacho cheese container was found with the Dec. 7 date.

Name and location: Cafe Hot Wing, 895 Indian Trail Road

Score: 97/A

Previous scores: 83/B on May 18, 2011, and 86/B on Aug. 21, 2010

Violations cited: Employee used a cup instead of an ice scoop. Wooden pallets showing discoloration and debris were used as risers for freezer units. A hole was found in the wall by the back door. Floors needed detail cleaning behind equipment.

Name and location: Great China, 440 Pleasant Hill Road

Score: 96/A

Previous scores: 76/C on Dec. 13, 2011 and 82/B on June 30, 2011

Violations cited: Raw chicken wings were prepared at the designated vegetable prep sink. Trash was surrounding the dumpster area.  

Name and Location: Lilburn Cafe and Grill, 900 Indian Trail Road 

Score: 98/A

Previous scores: 88/B on June 21, 2011 and 82/B June 3, 2011

Violations cited: Single-serving utensils were stored with food-contact end exposed to contact with customers. Cove base was missing in much of the kitchen.

Name and Location: Three Blind Mice, 1066 Killian Hill Road

Score: 71/C

Previous scores: 91/A on April 27, 2011 and 96/A on Sept. 30, 2010

Violations cited: Ice was in the hand washing sink at the bar. Utensils were being soaked at a sanitizing level below the requirement. The interior to the ice machine was molded. It's not explicitly stated on the menu that the steaks are cooked to order. Butter was outside of refrigeration above 41 degrees and mushroom stock was held below 135 degrees, with no time controls in place. Tomato sauce and multiple cold cut meats lacked discard dates and dates of preparation openings. Hand washing signs were not present at restroom sinks. Inspection sign was not posted properly. Scoops were without handles in dry storage containers.

Name and Location: Taqueria Los Hermanos, 4760 Lawrenceville Highway

Score: 91/A

Previous scores: 66/U on Dec. 12, 2011, and 94/A on June 29, 2011

Violations cited: Raw fish and beef were stored above, not below, vegetables in reach in cooler.