East Charlotte restaurant cited for bugs and dirty dishes: Scores (Aug. 22)

An east Charlotte restaurant received a “B” grade from the Mecklenburg County Health Department for numerous health violations, including expired the presence of insects and dirty dishes.

Showmars (3225 Eastway Dr. in Charlotte) received an 84% score during an inspection on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

Inspectors cited the restaurant after finding two flying insects in the kitchen area, county documents show.

Other violations the restaurant was cited for include:

• Containers stored as clean with food residue
• Large bins of dry ingredients not labeled
• Two wet wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer water
• Rust buildup on shelves of walk in cooler
• Cutting boards with discoloration and deep grooves

This is the restaurant’s first “B” grade.

Mecklenburg County sanitation scores

The Mecklenburg County sanitation grades database shows that at least 124 restaurant inspections were completed July 4-10.

▪ 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%.

▪ Desano Pizza Waverly (7315 Waverly Walk Ave. in Charlotte) received a score of 84% during an inspection on Thursday, Aug. 21.

• The restaurant violated 15 standards, including a fly strip over a prep table and employees not wearing hair restraints while preparing food.
• Most violations were corrected during the inspection.
• The restaurant previously scored 91.5% in May.

▪ El Carbonero (4400 Central Ave. in Charlotte) received a score of 87.5% during an inspection on Monday, Aug. 18.

• The restaurant violated 15 standards, including a dish scrubber in a handwashing sink and food stored on the floor.
• Some violations were corrected during the inspection.
• The restaurant previously scored 93% in April.

▪ Salsaritas Fresh Cantina (9941 Rea Rd. in Charlotte) received a score of 88.5% during an inspection on Friday, Aug. 15.

• The restaurant violated 15 standards, including a dead cockroach near the handwashing sink and an employee cell phone stored in the prep area.
• Some violations were corrected during the inspection.
• The restaurant previously scored 99% in May.

▪ Tropical Smoothie Cafe (601 S. Kings Dr. in Charlotte) received a score of 89% during an inspection on Friday, Aug. 15.

• The restaurant violated 10 standards, including cutting boards with excessive discoloration and food debris on kitchen surfaces.
• Some violations were corrected during the inspection.
• The restaurant previously scored 91% in January.

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.

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.