Flies, sewage & an illegal buffet. Worst Charlotte restaurant inspections in May
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Health inspectors issued 18 'B' grades to Charlotte eateries in May reviews.
- Violations included pests, improper food storage, and unlabeled chemicals.
- One restaurant operated an unapproved self-service buffet without a permit.
Mecklenburg County health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in May, from fruit flies and sewage water, to “flying pests in the kitchen,” county documents show.
No restaurants in Mecklenburg County got a “C” grade in May, but there were 18 eateries that received “B” grades (scores of at least 80% but lower than 90%) – including six that scored at or below 86.
Here’s a roundup of the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in May.
Reba’s Bar & Grill at 2240 Camp Greene St. in Charlotte
Reba’s Bar & Grill had an inspection on May 14 and got a score of 82.
An inspector observed “flying pests in the kitchen area” and sewage water from a three-compartment sink being emptied into a drain/catch box with sewage overflowing onto the restaurant floor, according to county documents.
The restaurant was also dinged for an employee preparing food without a head covering and shelving for dry storage and interior of a cooler in need of cleaning due to food spillage.
Bologna, turkey hot dogs and whole milk with no date marks and a spray bottle without a label were also found in the restaurant.
Tous Le Jours Southpark at 4625 Piedmont Row Dr. in Charlotte
Tous Le Jours Southpark had an inspection on May 20 and got a score of 84.5.
An inspector found fruit flies in the back kitchen, according to county documents.
Employees were observed eating and drinking in the front kitchen with their drinks stored on shelves above prep surfaces.
Hot dogs, sausages, mushrooms and open packages of mozzarella cheese were found without date labels, along with two spray bottles without chemical labels.
Asian Wok at 10715 Park Rd. in Charlotte
Asian Wok had an inspection on May 14 and got a score of 85.
An inspector found soiled containers stored as clean and shelving in a walk-in cooler in need of cleaning.
An employee was observed touching ready-to-eat chicken with their bare hands and food not dated throughout the establishment.
The restaurant also received low marks for food stored on the floor in a walk-in freezer and grocery bags being used to store food.
▪ The restaurant had a followup inspection on May 28 and got a score of 90.
Providence Country Club Clubhouse at 6001 Providence Country Club Dr. in Charlotte
Providence Country Club Clubhouse had an inspection on May 8 and got a score of 85.
An inspector found that the restaurant had been operating a self-service buffet without the approval of the county.
Multiple perishable foods without date marks were also discovered, with goat cheese, pimento cheese, seared tuna and cut tomatoes holding temperatures above 41 degrees.
The eatery was also dinged for raw tuna stored on top of a container of lettuce.
Nikko Japanese Restaurant at 325 Arlington Ave. in Charlotte
Nikko Japanese Restaurant had an inspection on May 7 and got a score of 86.
An inspector found small flies on a strainer above a three-compartment sink.
The restaurant was also marked down for raw fish stored on shelves above sauces and other ready-to-eat food in sushi reach-in cooler.
An employee was also seen preparing food with a bracelet.
▪ The restaurant had a followup inspection on May 28 and got a score of 96.5.
Sugar Creek Brewing Company at 215 Southside Dr. in Charlotte
Sugar Creek Brewing Company had an inspection on May 20 and got a score of 86.
An inspector found “flying pests in the dishpit area.”
Dishes stored as clean were stacked wet. Walls were observed with food splash and debris throughout the kitchen area, especially in hard to reach areas, such as behind and below equipment.
An employee was also seen touching their face and not washing their hands. Inspectors also found an employee phone and drink stored on a prep table.
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.
