Flies + employees not washing hands in this Charlotte restaurant kitchen: Scores (Oct. 25)
A north Charlotte restaurant received a “B” grade from the Mecklenburg County Health Department for numerous health violations, including the presence of bugs and dirty kitchen equipment.
▪ Chicken Box Cafe, 1331 W. Sugar Creek Rd. E. in Charlotte, received a score of 86.5% during its Wednesday, Oct. 23 inspection.
The restaurant was cited after inspectors found a “several flies” in the kitchen, county documents show. Other violations the restaurant was cited for include:
Employees doing food prep without washing hands
Sticker residue on containers stored as clean
Broccoli casserole in hot holding below required temperature
Chitterlings thawing above required temperature
Food residue on fryers, steam wells and shelving
This is the restaurant’s fourth “B” grade. The last one was in March 2017.
Mecklenburg County sanitation scores
The Mecklenburg County sanitation grades database shows that at least 199 restaurant inspections were completed Oct. 18-24.
▪ Most restaurants received an A grade, or a score of at least 90%.
▪ Five restaurants received a B grade, or a score of at least 80% but lower than 90%.
▪ Panzú Brewery (7251 Matthews Mint Hill Rd. in Mint Hill) received a score of 88.5% during an inspection on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
The restaurant was in violation of 11 standards, including the presence of a “large flying insect” and food in hot holding stored below required temperature.
Most violations were corrected during the inspection.
The restaurant previously scored 95% in May 2024.
▪ Stoners Pizza Joint (210 E. Trade St. in Charlotte) received a score of 85% during an inspection on Friday, Oct. 18.
The restaurant was in violation of 14 standards, including flies present near trash bins and an employee preparing food without a beard guard.
Some violations were corrected during the inspection.
The restaurant previously scored 97% in June 2024.
▪ Taqueria Los Altos (8625 Monroe Rd. in Charlotte) received a score of 86.5% during an inspection on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
The restaurant was in violation of 16 standards, including food stored on the floor and black buildup in ice machine.
Most violations were corrected during the inspection.
The restaurant previously scored 93% in July 2024.
▪ Mama’s Caribbean Grill (1504 Central Ave. in Charlotte) received a score of 87% during an inspection on Thursday, Oct. 24.
The restaurant was in violation of 13 standards, including the presence of flies and food residue on kitchen surfaces.
Some violations were corrected during the inspection.
The restaurant previously scored 95% in April 2024.
How to search NC restaurant inspection scores
Sanitation scores and their corresponding letter grades are used in North Carolina to assess restaurants’ adherence to rules and standards intended to mitigate and prevent the spread of food-borne illnesses.
You’ve likely seen sanitation grade cards at restaurants you’ve visited, and The News & Observer previously explained what those scores mean and how they’re calculated.
According to state law, permits are immediately revoked if a restaurant receives a score of less than 70%.
You can search all restaurant inspections in Mecklenburg County at public.cdpehs.com.
