"The Highs and Lows of Dining"
(Escambia County, Alabama) December 10th--When you walk into a restaurant and you see a relatively high score on the wall, you instantly feel at ease. But, how many of us really take the time to read the fine print? This week, we’re showing you why there's more to an inspection than just a score. Escambia County, Alabama health inspectors are issuing a sobering reminder look at the entire inspection sheet before ordering off the menu.
Brenda Faye’s Buffet located on Forrest Avenue in East Brewton for the most part did fairly well during their last inspection. They earned 91--out of 100 possible points. However, inspector’s November 4th shows quote "evidence" of rodents. We contacted the restaurant and employees told Local 15 that problem has been corrected and they are being monitored by a licensed exterminator.
Elsewhere, Subway located on Hwy 113 in Brewton is currently in compliance with a score of 89. But, take a closer look inspector's November 19th report shows similar violations. Health officials noted the presence of rodents. Inspector’s report shows droppings found in the cabinet and under the fountain drink machine.
This week we’re uncovered a few problems at the Subway located at 701 McMeans Avenue inside the Wal-Mart in Bay Minette. No problems with rodents however, inspectors say employees were cited for having hot and cold food out of temperature. Also employees were cited for eating and drinking in the kitchen area. Inspector’s December 4th report also shows they had a dirty coke dispenser. Last time, they were in compliance, however this week Subway located inside the Wal-Mart in Bay Minette earns Baldwin County's lowest score 73.
Elsewhere, Chicago Pizza located in Gulf View Plaza in Orange Beach. Inspector’s December 3rd report shows dirty pizza pans, the can wash was not accessible and mop water on the ground. Last time they had a score of 93. This week, that’s fallen off a bit with a below average rating of 82.
No one was more surprised to be in the bottom three than the owner of Tipseas Steam Shack located on Perdido Blvd in Orange Beach. Last time they had a score of 98. The owner reminded us it was 96 before that.
But, inspector’s December 3rd report shows violations, including no sanitizer in the dishwasher and the manager on duty didn't have the proper serve safe certification. Local 15 News contacted the owner of the restaurant who says, the sanitizer was omitted by a service contractor who had just finished working on the dishwasher. Plus, they recently lost a head chef who had the serve safe certification.
Sherry Odom owns the restaurant and she says right now she is personally trying to complying with that request. She tells Local 15 she’s gotten all of the literature regarding the safe serve course, however so far, she has not been successful in scheduling a date in taking the test. She assures us the critical violations have been correct and right now they are waiting to be inspected again. For now, Tipseas in Orange Beach is loosing a little “steam” with a below average rating of 83.
This week’s Scorecard Standouts include:
Domino’s Pizza
106 Plantation Point
Fairhope
SCORE: 96
Panera Bread
3691 Airport Blvd.
Mobile
SCORE: 96
Moe’s Original BBQ
6423 Bayfront Park, Dr.
Daphne
SCORE: 97
Steve’s Pit Stop
Mobile Unit
35050 Hwy 59
Stapleton
SCORE: 100
Hollywood Video & Pizza
13020 N. Wintzell Avenue
Bayou La Batre
SCORE: 100
Remember, no score is indicative of any restaurant's past, present or future--it's only a snap shot of what they found that day.
