One restaurant failed the inspection that was conducted by the health departments of Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale Counties on January 29. Nacho Daddy, located in Downtown Duluth, was seen to violate several food safety regulations during the routine inspection. The restaurant scored only 62 points on the inspection and was given an Unsatisfactory (U) grade.
Highlights
- The restaurant that failed the inspection only scored 62 points and was given a U grade.
- Issues with handwashing practices, cold holding, and two repeat violations were among the observations made by the inspectors at the restaurant.
- Following the U grade, the restaurant will now face a follow-up inspection on February 7.
Nacho Daddy Fails Health Inspection
Nacho Daddy serves gourmet nachos and other Mexican standards and drinks. The health department conducted inspections in the afternoon of January 29. During the inspection, officials found several cases of Foodborne illness risk factors and the need for public health interventions.
The official report, which was released to the public, noted the establishment’s lack of active managerial control. This is considered one of the important reasons why restaurants fail to comply with the food code fully. Another violation was that the latest copy of the inspection score was not placed anywhere at the restaurant for public viewing.
Inspectors also observed a Food handler who did not wash her hands after placing raw steak on the grill and changing her gloves. They also observed that there was no soap at the handwashing sinks next to the gas range, in the bar area, and in the dish pit area.
The handwashing sink in the dish pit area was seen to be blocked by a push cart and had a rubber mat stored inside it. It was also noted that there were no paper towels at the handwashing sink in the bar area.
Notable Repeated Violations At the Restaurant
In a repeat violation, various types of TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) foods were observed to be kept at temperatures higher than 41F. The inspectors also observed a Butane lighter stored above the prep-top cooler and a large bag of pinto beans stored on the floor in the dry storage area.
Another violation was observed in the case of the raw chicken being prepped in the veggie sink. The Person in charge was seen not wearing a beard restraint, in yet another repeat violation. The employees’ personal belongings were seen to be kept in unapproved areas, like a phone on the prep top table at the server area on the pushcart near the Walk-in Cooler and a handbag on the reach-in cooler.
Corrections Made On-Site
Under the instructions of the officials, the PIC corrected most of the issues mentioned above on-site during the inspection. As per the report, those issues that were not resolved during the inspection must be corrected by February 7. These issues are the ones concerning the managerial control of the PIC and the drain plug that was missing in the Dumpster. The full report of the inspection is available online.
The report went on to warn that a third consecutive violation regarding the cold holding and the beard guard of the PIC may result in the suspension of the restaurant’s license. The follow-up inspection, following the U grade that was given this time, will happen by February 7.
The restaurant is required to rectify all the noted violations by then. Further, another required inspection will be conducted within the next 12 months.
The health department inspected 22 restaurants on January 29. Of the 17 restaurants that scored the most desirable A grade, four scored a perfect 100 points. Four restaurants scored a B grade. Hence, it can be said that most restaurants adhere to the food code, with the exception of a very few.
