‘Meat residue’ on Charlotte restaurant kitchen equipment: Scores (Nov. 7)
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Ely Tortilleria scored 84.5% (B) after violations including reused containers.
- County inspections Oct 31–Nov 6 covered 74 restaurants; most earned A.
- Sanitation scores guide enforcement; permits revoke under 70% and records post online.
A north Charlotte restaurant received a “B” grade from the Mecklenburg County Health Department for numerous health violations, including reusing containers for food storage and dirty dishes.
Ely Tortilleria (6301 N. Tryon St. in Charlotte) received an 84.5% score during an inspection on Monday, Nov. 3.
Violations the restaurant was cited for include:
- Raw chicken stored directly above raw beef
- Food processor stored with meat residue
- Employees wearing watches and bracelets on wrists
- Metal and plastic containers stacked wet
- Reusing sour cream buckets to store food
- Trash buildup around dumpsters
This is the restaurant’s second “B” grade. The first one was in February 2019.
Mecklenburg County sanitation scores
The Mecklenburg County sanitation grades database shows that at least 74 restaurant inspections were completed Oct. 31-Nov. 6.
▪ Most restaurants received an A grade, or a score of at least 90%.
▪ One restaurant received a B grade, or a score of at least 80% but lower than 90%.
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.
