Charlotte restaurant shut down after roaches found on dishes. Latest inspections
A University area restaurant received a “C” grade and was shut down by the Mecklenburg County Health Department for numerous health violations, including the presence of insects and dirty dishes.
Soma Bistro Curry N Cake (2015 E. Arbors Dr. in Charlotte) received a 71% score during an inspection on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Inspectors shut the restaurant down after finding a “large roach presence” at the facility, county documents show.
According to county documents, roaches were found crawling on cleaned pans, under a microwave, in light fixtures and on walls.
Other violations the restaurant was cited for include:
- Employee handling ready-to-eat items after cracking raw eggs
- Unwashed vegetables stored above ready-to-eat items
- Knives soiled with old food debris
- Several food items without date markings
- Spice containers without labels
- Food stored on the floor
- Floors in need of cleaning
- This is the restaurant’s first “C” grade. The restaurant received an 81.5% score during its prior inspection on Feb. 4.
This is the restaurant’s first “C” grade. The restaurant received an 81.5% score during its prior inspection on Feb. 4. It’s unclear if the restaurant has reopened since its inspection.
Mecklenburg County sanitation scores
The Mecklenburg County sanitation grades database shows that at least 155 restaurant inspections were completed Jan. 30-Feb. 5.
▪ Most restaurants received an A grade, or a score of at least 90%.
▪ Six restaurants received B grades, or scores of at least 80% but lower than 90%.
▪ Luisas Brick Oven Pizzeria (1730 Abbey Pl.) received a score of 85% during an inspection on Thursday, Feb. 12.
- The restaurant was in violation of 16 standards, including employees not using hair restraints and rust accumulation on prep surfaces.
- Most violations were corrected during the inspection.
- The restaurant previously scored 86.5% in January.
▪ Yakiko (710 W. Trade St.) received a score of 86.5% during an inspection on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
- The restaurant was in violation of 12 standards, including raw beef left unattended and food stored on the floor.
- Most violations were corrected during the inspection.
- The restaurant previously scored 89.5% in October.
▪ Baku (4515 Sharon Rd.) received a score of 85% during an inspection on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
- The restaurant was in violation of 11 standards, including employees cutting sushi with bare hands and rusted shelving in a prep unit.
- Most violations were corrected during the inspection.
- The restaurant previously scored 91% in September.
▪ Char Bar No. 7 (3118 Fincher Farm Rd.) received a score of 88% during an inspection on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
- The restaurant was in violation of 10 standards, including raw tuna stored over ready-to-eat food and containers of oil and spices not labeled.
- Most violations were corrected during the inspection.
- The restaurant previously scored 92.5% in August.
▪ New Century Oriental Deli (4500 N. Tryon St.) received a score of 87.5% during an inspection on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
- The restaurant was in violation of 11 standards, including dead bugs in the kitchen and employees wearing jewelry.
- Some violations were corrected during the inspection.
- The restaurant previously scored 86.5% in July.
▪ Los Reyes Deli and Meat Market (4416 Central Ave.) received a score of 89% during an inspection on Monday, Feb. 9.
- The restaurant was in violation of 12 standards, including strawberry filling stored on the floor and employees not wearing hair restraints.
- Some violations were corrected during the inspection.
- The restaurant previously scored 87% in September.
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.
Most common restaurant violations
The Charlotte Observer previously spoke to Adam Dietrich, a local food safety expert, about five of the most common food safety violations restaurants get dinged for during health inspections:
- Handwashing lapses are common: Inspectors frequently cite workers for skipping required handwashing or recontaminating hands, a major risk for spreading illnesses like norovirus, Salmonella and E. coli.
- “Performative” glove use causes problems: Gloves are often misused, either by not changing them between tasks or worn instead of washing hands, which can spread bacteria just as easily as bare hands.
- 41°F is the cold-holding cutoff: The North Carolina Food Code requires cold foods to be held at 41 degrees or below, since bacteria multiply rapidly above that threshold and can reach dangerous levels within hours.
- Improper storage leads to cross-contamination: Limited space and poor organization can result in raw food juices dripping onto other foods, a known cause of outbreaks, prompting strict storage rules in the food code.
- Lack of food safety training costs points: Restaurants are often penalized for missing certifications or inadequate staff training in hygiene, allergens and safe food handling, issues experts say are preventable with proper education.
