Myrtle Beach Restaurant Inspections Reveal Food Safety Concerns at Local Eateries

Myrtle Beach Restaurant Inspections: What’s Cooking Under the Hood?

Hey Myrtle Beach! It’s that time again where we take a peek behind the scenes of some of our favorite local eateries. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture recently completed inspections on a total of 155 restaurants across Horry and Georgetown County from September 7 to September 13, and let’s just say, there were a few surprises in the kitchen, mainly concerning food safety!

What Were the Numbers?

Out of the bunch, only three restaurants scored below a 90, which is the benchmark score for health and safety in our beloved food establishments. That’s a pretty good sign overall, but let’s dive a little deeper into what inspectors found in some of the establishments.

Round-Up of Notable Inspections

1. Sbarro the Original NY Pizza

Located at 2000 Coastal Grand Circle, this popular pizza spot rolled in with a score of 80 during a routine inspection on September 9. Inspectors flagged a few issues, like:

• Unsafe temperature: Marina foods were not kept at the needed temperature.
• Outdated food: Ready-to-eat items, such as meatballs and sausage, were marked with dates over a week old!
• Mixing it up: Soiled mixing bowls were found unwashed from the previous day — yikes!
• Grimy buildup: The conveyor oven and kitchen ceiling vents had some serious buildup.

So, if you’re craving that pepperoni slice, you might want to check on how fresh those ingredients are!

2. Golden Griddle Pancake House

Next up, we have the 🥞 Golden Griddle Pancake House on 508 Main St. in North Myrtle Beach, which received a score of 82 on September 10. Some highlights from their inspection include:

• Personal items: Cigarettes and cell phones chilling on food prep tables mixed with clean dishes — gross!
• Temperature control issues: Foods like eggs and cheese not having documented time out of temperature control.
• Clutter on the floor: Boxes of single-use dishes stored on the floor — not cool.
• Food debris: There was food and debris hanging out on the floor and shelving of the refrigerator.

Looks like they might need to consider a deep clean before flipping any more pancakes!

3. Blue Drum

Lastly, we stopped by Blue Drum located on 4436 Kingsport Road in Little River, which came in with a score of 82 during its inspection on September 10. Noteworthy violations included:

• Crab meat crisis: Improperly reheated crab meat and grits.
• Cups on the floor: Not exactly where cups should be stored!
• Building requirements: Issues with lights, doors, and walls — who needs that?

Looks like they have some work to do before their next tasty dish can hit the tables!

What’s Next?

A follow-up inspection is scheduled for both Golden Griddle and Blue Drum on September 20. Hopefully, they’ll be able to clean up their acts. As for Sbarro, folks are likely keeping an eye on their food freshness!

Moral of the story, Myrtle Beach? Always check in on your favorite dining spots and make sure they’re showing us the cleanliness and food safety we all deserve! Stay safe and happy eating!