February health inspections

Throughout the year, the Tennessee Department of Health inspects various establishments to enforce public health. This includes food establishments, hotels, body piercing and tattoo studios, bed and breakfasts, child care facilities, campgrounds, pools and other facilities. The following establishments received some of the lowest scores in their counties in February or had particularly noteworthy observations from inspectors. Hawkins County All inspected establishments in Hawkins County ended February with a score of 95 or higher. Sullivan County Asia Cafe Xpress: 73 950 Volunteer Parkway Bristol The operator was not aware of the temperature danger zone or how to implement and use a datemarking system. An employee handled raw meat and the handle roll of plastic wrap without washing their hands. The operator was storing food at the incorrect temperature. Twenty cups of shrimp sauce were embargoed and about five pounds of product were thrown away. Shrimp sauce was kept too long. About 220 pounds of shrimp sauce were discarded. A warning letter will be issued because of the repeat of a critical violation. A risk control plan option was discussed. An unidentified chemical agent was stored in a repurposed soy sauce container. It was thrown away. There was a build up of food particles in the microwave and large ice deposits in the walk-in freezer. Arby's #6884: 84 1652 E. Stone Drive Kingsport Food marked to discard a day before the inspection was still in the walk-in cooler. Chlorine disinfectant was stored on a preparation table over ketchup packets. There was mold growing on the wire rack in the walk-in cooler. Food debris was found on various equipment. Food was stored improperly on the floor of the walk-in cooler. The Stone: 89 3500 Ft. Henry Drive Kingsport Some food was kept too long. It was embargoed. Employee beverages were improperly stored on the preparation counter. Some utensils were improperly stored. The microwave was dirty with food splatter. The spray hose in one of the sinks was hanging below the flood rim. A cutting board was stained and grooved. Urban Brews & Creamery: 91 247 Broad St. Suite 101 Kingsport Employees were improperly drying hands with a cloth towel. There were no paper towels at the hand sink. A tub of white powder was not labeled. A cutting board was stained and grooved. Backwoods Burger Bar: 93 324 E. Market St. Kingsport Rodent droppings were seen by a service window and on a shelf. An employee beverage was improperly stored on the preparation table. A box of gloves and to-go containers were improperly stored. Kitchen floors and the microwave were dirty. A dead mouse was found under one of the sinks. Carter County All inspected establishments in Carter County ended February with a score of 95 or higher. Johnson County All inspected establishments in Johnson County ended February with a score of 98 or higher. Unicoi County All inspected establishments in Unicoi County ended February with a score of 97 or higher. Washington County Tomy Thai: 78 1736 W. State of Franklin Road Johnson City Raw seafood and meat were stored improperly above other foods in the walk-in cooler. The food was relocated below ready-to-eat foods. Cooked rice and scallops were not at the correct temperature. The inspector noted that the cooler door gaskets are in poor repair, likely contributing to incorrect temperatures. Ten pounds of food were embargoed. Unlabeled spray bottles were located in both restrooms. Cooked chicken was at the wrong temperature, and the health inspector advised the manager on proper cooling procedure. Several buckets of processed food and vegetables were improperly stored in the walk-in cooler. The dish sink was damaged. There was "considerable" trash and debris on the ground around the outside dumpster. Several sections of wall above the kitchen food prep table were removed, exposing the inside of the ceiling. The inspector noted that a follow-up inspection is scheduled within 10 days. Holiday Inn: 85 101 W. Springbrook Drive Johnson City Toxic and chemical cleaners were not properly labeled, but were labeled during the inspection. An evacuation sign was missing in one room, but was placed during the inspection. There were issues with some toilet and bathing facilities. There were issues with telephone service. Some of the furniture, appliances and/or draperies were in poor repair. Some of the walls, ceilings and/or skylights were unclean or in poor repair. Some single service articles were improperly stored or wrapped. Cootie Brown's ETSU Inc.: 88 1404 State of Franklin Road Johnson City There were no paper towels at one hand sink, but the issue was corrected during the inspection. Several items in one of the coolers were too warm because of a damaged door gasket. The staff said a maintenance order had already been placed to repair the door. The health inspector advised them not to use it until it was fixed. Cardboard boxes of food were improperly stored in the walk-in freezer. Some employee drinks were improperly stored in the dish area. Some scoops did not have handles. Plastic glasses were improperly stacked wet. Single-use containers were not stored correctly. One of the plastic seals on a separate cooler was completely broken. Hibachi Supreme Buffet, Inc.: 91 205 E. Mountcastle Drive Johnson City Some dead cockroaches were found on the floor at the waitress station. Some boxes of food were improperly stored on the walk-in freezer floor. Wiping cloths were stored outside of the sanitizer solution. Cabinets, lights, walls, flooring, an ice deflector and one of the chest freezers were dirty. One of the hand sinks was not plumbed below the basin. Chuck E. Cheese's #663: 92 3020 Peoples St. Johnson City The dish machine was not sanitizing properly. A follow-up inspection within 10 days was scheduled. Several bulk boxes of single-use cutlery were improperly stored. Cutting blocks were in poor repair. Considerable dust accumulated on the return air vent in the kitchen. La Carreta Mexican Restaurant: 92 5494 Bobby Hicks Highway Gray Rice and beans were not set out properly to cool. Salsa was sitting out at room temperature. It was thrown away during the inspection. Numerous cheese dip containers were not dated, but were labeled during the inspection. Project BBQ: 93 3301 N. Roan St. Johnson City Pizza preparation was taking place in a shed on the property with no hand sink. The inspector noted that pizzas should not be prepared anywhere but in the restaurant with hand sink access. The back door was propped open and not in use. Pizza boxes were improperly stored on the floor. Shelving, walls and floors were dirty. Walls in the pizza preparation shed were exposing insulation and bare wood. KFC #E320091: 93 1106 Spratlin Park Drive Johnson City There were some insects, rodents and/or animals present. Contamination was not properly prevented. Utensils were not properly stored. Some surfaces and facilities were not properly maintained or clean. Some garbage was not properly disposed of or garbage facilities were not properly maintained. The Toasted Yolk Cafe: 93 2519 Knob Creek Road Johnson City Food was not properly labeled or documented. Contamination was not properly prevented. Some wiping cloths were improperly used or stored. Some utensils were incorrectly stored. There were issues with some of the warewashing facilities. Some surfaces were not clean. There were issues with maintenance, supply or cleanliness of the restrooms. Johnny Bruscos: 93 2111 N. Roan St. Johnson City There were gnats near one of the coolers. A wiping cloth was improperly stored. A dish machine, floor dough mixer, floors, walls, garbage cans, some shelving and other equipment were dirty.