Dead pests, moldy eggs: Worst Charlotte restaurant inspections in January
Mecklenburg County health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in January, including the presence of insects and expired food.
No restaurants in Mecklenburg County got “C” grades in January (scores of lower than 80%), but a few received low “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 January.
Fonda La Taquiza (5135 Albemarle Rd. in Charlotte)
Fonda La Taquiza had an inspection on Friday, Jan. 16 and got a score of 80%.
- An inspector found raw chicken stored over ready-to-eat foods, county documents show.
- The restaurant was also dinged after inspectors found food stored on the floor and employees not washing their hands after changing gloves.
- The restaurant has not yet been reinspected, as of Feb. 2 records.
Masti Indian Restaurant and Bar (128 Brevard Ct. in Charlotte)
Masti Indian Restaurant and Bar had an inspection on Friday, Jan. 2 and got a score of 85%.
- An inspector found cooked chicken and noodles without date labels, and raw shelled eggs stored over cooked biryani masala.
- The restaurant was also cited after inspectors found all food handlers preparing food without hair restraints.
- The restaurant has not yet been reinspected, as of Feb. 2 records.
El Carbonero (4400 Central Ave. in Charlotte)
El Carbonero had an inspection on Thursday, Jan. 22 and got a score of 85%.
- Inspectors cited the restaurant after finding a “dead pest” in a cold pan in a prep unit and a “flying pest” inside a reach-in cooler, county documents show.
- The restaurant was also dinged after inspectors discovered “white and black microbial growth” on jalapenos, ketchup and boiled eggs inside a walk-in cooler.
- The restaurant has not yet been reinspected, as of Feb. 2 records.
Evan Moore
The Charlotte Observer