Myrtle Beach Restaurant Inspections Raise Concerns About Food Safety Standards

Myrtle Beach Restaurant Inspections Raise a Few Eyebrows

Hey Myrtle Beach! Hope you’re all enjoying this beautiful weather and indulging in some delicious food. Speaking of food, we got some recent news from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture that’s worth chatting about. It seems that a few of our beloved local restaurants didn’t pass their routine inspections with flying colors. While we all love a good meal, it’s essential to keep our dining experiences safe and sound!

What’s Cooking? A Little Too Much, Apparently!

From August 31 to September 6, inspections across Horry and Georgetown County revealed some serious issues at several restaurants. The inspectors found everything from dirty utensils to safety violations that could potentially put customers at risk. Here’s a little rundown of what they saw.

Angus Steak House: A Tough Day

First up, we’ve got Angus Steak House on Kings Highway, which scored a 74 during its inspection on September 4. This isn’t exactly the high steak sky we want to hear about! The inspection revealed some troubling findings, like dirty knives and cutting boards being stored as “clean,” and a fly strip hanging *right over a food prep table*. Let’s not forget the ice machine, which was found with soiled surfaces, and some foods were at unsafe temperatures. A follow-up inspection is set for September 14, so let’s hope they clean up their act.

El Buen Sabor: A Fiesta Turned Sour

Next on the list is El Buen Sabor Mexican & Centro, where the food was quite the mixed bag on September 6. They received a score of 78, which isn’t terrible but isn’t great either. Issues included raw fish stored next to ready-to-eat food (yikes!) and some meats stored at temperatures that made you say, “No, thank you!” Plus, they had an outdoor cooking setup that didn’t have the proper approval. Another follow-up is on the horizon for September 16!

China Garden: Not Exactly a “Clean” Kitchen

Over at China Garden, they managed a 79 on September 5. However, the inspector found unsafe food temperatures among items like dumplings and chicken wings. They also noted that foods were on the floor in the walk-in cooler and that pork was improperly thawed. Not the kind of seasoning you want in your dining experience. A follow-up inspection is coming on September 15, so fingers crossed they get it right!

Island Bar: A Splash of Trouble

Then we have our friends at Island Bar, who scored another 79 on September 3. The place had some black buildup in the ice machine (ew!) and various dishes stored at unsafe temperatures. An employee made the mistake of not washing their hands after handling raw chicken, which is definitely a “no-no.” The kitchen needed some TLC, too, with grime all around. There’s a follow-up set for September 13.

El Chepo Taqueria: A Few Too Many Flaws

Last but not least is El Chepo Taqueria, pulling an 82 on September 5. While not the worst score, they still had several issues like improperly thawed meats and ice that might not have been up to snuff. Cleaning up their wash water and making sure everything is stocked would go a long way. Another inspection is also scheduled for September 15.

Wrap It Up!

As we enjoy our culinary adventures here in Myrtle Beach, let’s keep an eye on these eateries. Cleanliness and safety are paramount when it comes to our food. Here’s hoping the results of the follow-up inspections show improvement and that all our local favorites can keep serving up the good stuff—safely!

Stay safe, Myrtle Beach, and bon appétit!