Expired food & ‘flying pests.’ Worst Charlotte restaurant inspections in June
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Five Mecklenburg County restaurants earned 'B' grades in June inspections.
- Violations included unlabeled food, soiled equipment and pest infestations.
- Restaurants must score above 70% to keep permits under North Carolina law.
Mecklenburg County health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in May, including bugs, dirty dishes and non-permitted kitchen equipment, county documents show.
No restaurants in Mecklenburg County got a “C” grade in June, but there were five eateries that received “B” grades (scores of at least 80% but lower than 90%).
Here’s a roundup of the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in June.
G.O.A.T. Restaurant and Bar at 9623 Bailey Rd. in Cornelius
G.O.A.T. Restaurant and Bar had an inspection on June 20 and got a score of 84.5.
An inspector found spring mix, romaine lettuce, meatballs and various cheeses without expiration date labels, and stainless steel bowls and pans stacked wet, county documents show.
The restaurant was also dinged after an inspector noticed the insides and outside of all reach-in coolers and reach-in freezers soiled with food debris.
Vibe Cafe & Wine Bar at 1315 East Blvd. in Charlotte
Vibe Cafe & Wine Bar had an inspection on June 13 and got a score of 85.
According to county documents, an inspector found a hood, pizza oven, fryer, and flat-top grill that the county fire or health department had not approved.
Frying oil and jarred items were also found stored on the floor, and multiple pieces of kitchen equipment were found soiled with food debris.
Perishable foods, such as sliced ham and cooked chicken wings, were also discovered without expiration date labels.
State of Confusion at 3500 Dewitt Ln. in Charlotte
State of Confusion had an inspection on June 3 and got a score of 86.
An inspector cited the restaurant after an employee was seen washing their hands with no soap and for less than 20 seconds, county documents show. Ice was also being stored in the handwashing sink.
Raw alligator was observed thawing at a prep sink where masa puff balls were being prepared.
Racks in the restaurant’s walk-in cooler were soiled with leftover food debris, and black buildup along the front of door openings was seen in the front area of the salad reach in the prep unit.
Runaway Whiskey & Wine at 2135 Thrift Rd. in Charlotte
Runaway Whiskey & Wine had an inspection on June 10 and got a score of 87.
Inspectors cited the restaurant after finding “flying pests” inside it, county documents show.
The eatery was also cited for not having soap at its handwashing sink, and after an employee was seen touching a trash can, they put on gloves without washing their hands.
Potato wedges, cooked root carrots, and two containers of pork belly were also found kept past the expiration date.
Super Mercado El Mariachi at 6301 N. Tryon St. in Charlotte
Super Mercado El Mariachi had an inspection on June 10 and got a score of 87.5.
Inspectors cited the restaurant after they found “many flies in the kitchen due to the back door being left open,” county documents show.
Raw chicken was also found stored above sliced tomatoes, and dirty utensils and pans were found stored as clean.
An inspector also found that “general cleaning” was needed around the restaurant, including the shelving in both of its walk-in coolers, according to county documents.
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.
