Improper food storage and roaches reduce some restaurants health scores

Live roach activity near a meat slicer and improper storage of cold foods resulted in one Augusta restaurant earning an 80 on its latest health inspection.

The Georgia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Section, conducts regular restaurant inspections to help keep residents and visitors safe. The following is a list of restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that have been inspected between March 21-27, accompanied by their scores and, in some cases, the health infractions that lowered those scores.

Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. A few more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

Perfect Scores

Here are food and drink establishments in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections without a single health violation.

Waffle House, 3160 Deans Bridge Rd., Augusta

Bayvale Elementary School, 3309 Milledgeville Rd., Augusta

Meadowbrook Elementary School, 3630 Goldfinch Dr., Augusta

New Chan Express, 2613 Deans Bridge Rd., Augusta

Seafood & More, 1645 Gordon Highway, Augusta

Almond Express, 2625 Deans Bridge Rd., Augusta

Food Thyme Food Truck, 1095 Rosland Cir., Augusta

Food Thyme Food Truck, 1095 Rosland Cir., Augusta

American Legion Post 178, 3219 Richmond Hill Rd., Augusta

Augustino’s, 2 Tenth St., Augusta

T. Harry Garrett Elementary, 1100 Eisenhower Dr., Augusta

Waffle House, 3417 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta

Chick-fil-a, Augusta Mall, 3450 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta

Funnel Cake Lounge, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd Evans

Baby Jo’s, 7469 Winfield Road Appling

The Meadows Frozen Custard Mobile, 715 Gateway Center Blvd., Grovetown

Lemon Legend, 215 Partnership Dr., Grovetown

McDonald’s, 3423 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta

The Meadows Original Frozen Custard, 715 Gateway Center Blvd., Grovetown

Tropical Smoothie Café, 5003 Steiner Way, Grovetown

The Meadows Frozen Custard Mobile Base, 715 Gateway Blvd., Grovetown

Tropical Smoothie Café, 5003 Steiner Way, Grovetown

Towne Center Tavern, 7025 Evans Towne Center Blvd., Evans

Aka Kona Ice, 4495 Columbia Road, Martinez

Rita’s Mobile Unit, 3763 Martinez Blvd., Augusta

Luna 2 Pizza, 3763 Martinez Blvd., Martinez

PG’s Grill Mobile, 6440 Cobbham Road, Appling

Mama’s Maryland Crab Cakes, 219 Swinton Pond Rd., Grovetown

Hadden Sales Concession, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Grovetown

Chick-Fil-A, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans

Getting Warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with “A” scores in recent food-service inspections, followed by their scores:

KFC, 3425 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta, 98

Outback Steakhouse, 2949 Washington Rd., Augusta, 98

Thompson Hospitality Services at Paine College, 1235 15th St., Augusta, 97

Monte Sano Elementary School, 2164 Richmond Ave., Augusta, 97

Augusta Convention Center, 2 Tenth St., Augusta, 96

Stars & Strikes-Augusta, 3238 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta, 96

Jerk City, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans, 94

Marco’s Pizza, 2416 Windsor Spring Rd., Augusta, 92

Not Quite Done

Here is the restaurant in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between March 21-27, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors’ comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

Corndogs by Mr. Cow, 3450 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta, 88

• Observed no signed employee reporting agreements. Have employees sign reporting agreements and keep on file at facility.
• Observed mop improperly stored.
• Observed employee wearing watch during food prep.
• Observed sugar scoop handle in contact with sugar on front line.

El Veracruz, 1077 Stevens Creek Rd., Augusta, 87

• Observed salsa stored in walk-in-cooler past use by date 3/19/25.
• Observed Raid bug spray in dry storage area. Repeat violation.
• Observed orange juice stored outside of its original container. Label all food stored outside its original container.

Mack’s Country Store, 3378 Ga. Hwy. 88, Blythe, 87

• Observed dented cans of food with bent or warped seals.
• Observed ceiling tiles falling down in dry goods storage room.
• Observed damaged back door screen allowing flies to enter kitchen.

Osaka Hibachi Sushi & Steakhouse, 2626 Tobacco Rd., Hephzibah, 84

• Observed no label on foods stored in bulk containers. Label all foods stored outside of original container.
• Observed containers of food inside walk-in-cooler and walk-in-freezer stored on the floor. Containers with food should be stored at least 6 inches off the floor.
• Observed food uncovered in reach-in-cooler, walk-in-cooler, and walk-in-freezer. Food should be covered at all times while in storage.
• Observed many containers of food without prep and discard dates. Food not in original container needs prep and discard dates.

Charley’s Philly Steaks-Augusta Mall, 3450 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta, 80

• Observed food uncovered in coolers. Food should be covered at all times while in storage.
• Observed mushrooms, diced onions, and diced bell peppers cold holding above 41 degrees F. Cold hold food at 41 degrees F or lower.
• Observed employee wearing charm bracelet during food prep. Refrain from jewelry outside of a plain band ring during food prep.
• Observed loose/broken ceiling covers where lights are located in back prep area. Repair.
• Observed live cockroach activity on back prep table near meat slicer. Seek out pest control from certified pest control operator.