The Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale County Health Departments failed two restaurants after several food safety violations were reported. The restaurants that failed the inspection were Kisoya in Suwanee and Waffle House #1194 in Lawrenceville. The former scored 61 points, and the latter got 55 points. Both restaurants received an unsatisfactory “U” grade.
Among the violations that were reported, most were resolved during the inspection itself, under the supervision of the inspectors. Unresolved issues must be corrected by the assigned deadline. If these issues are not corrected within the given timeframe, it may lead to permit suspension.
Please note that the scores mentioned here are from a particular inspection conducted on March 26 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the establishments.
Highlights
- A restaurant in Suwanee and another in Lawrenceville failed the health inspection on Wednesday after receiving unsatisfactory scores.
- Health inspectors reported violations of various provisions of the food code concerning hygiene, food storage, and others at the restaurants.
- Both restaurants have scheduled follow-up inspections coming up, in which they will have to perform well to retain the permit.
Kisoya
- Where: 1291 Old Peachtree Rd NW Suite 110 Suwanee, GA 30024
- Date: March 26, 2025
- Score: 61
Kisoya is a Japanese restaurant in Suwanee that faced the routine inspection between 11 AM and 1:20 PM on Wednesday. Inspectors recorded several violations, leading to the restaurant failing the inspection.
Notably, several repeat violations were happening for the second consecutive time in a routine inspection. Third consecutive violations will result in permit suspension, the report explicitly states.
The various risk factor violations that were observed during the inspection were a result of the Person in charge (PIC) not having active managerial control of the facility, the report said. Three employees were not able to demonstrate knowledge of symptoms and illnesses related to employee health policy, it went on to say. Moreover, the food safety manager certification posted at the facility had expired.
Employee drinks were seen stored above food and equipment. Other personal items were seen stored in prep areas and above clean equipment. There was a pitcher stored inside a handwash sink, inspectors reported.
The report went on to list the issues concerning food handling and storage. Raw shell eggs and beef were seen stored above ready-to-eat food. Food items were seen stored directly on the floor. Buckets of cabbage Kimchi lacked labels with the preparation date. Food items removed from their original container and stored in working containers that did not have labels with common food names were found in a case of repeat violation.
Clean metal containers were seen stacked while still wet. Another repeat violation was reported when bowls that do not have handles were seen being used as scoops, and a rice spoon was seen stored in standing water.
In a repeat violation, a mold-like substance and pink slime were seen on the ice machine. The walk-in cooler fan was observed to be covered with a mold-like substance, which was another repeat violation.
As the last case of a repeat violation, the quat sanitizer test strips were unavailable at the facility as per the report. The inspection report also instructed that the hot water pressure on the hand sink next to the washing area is to be adjusted.
Waffle House #1194
- Where: 2570 Riverside Parkway P.O. Box 897 Lawrenceville
- Date: March 26, 2025
- Score: 55
A location of the restaurant chain Waffle House in Lawrenceville was inspected on Wednesday morning. The restaurant failed the inspection after the inspectors reported various violations of the food code.
The person in charge was held responsible for preventing risks of foodborne illness and ensuring compliance with food regulations, which was not being done. The PIC was also unable to demonstrate knowledge of symptoms and illnesses for restricting/excluding sick employees, the report said.
An employee was observed handling raw animal foods, removing gloves, and moving on to handle equipment/utensils or putting on new gloves without washing hands to prepare food. Employees handled multiple raw animal foods with the same gloves, leading to potential cross-contamination.
The report mentioned that an employee did not wash lettuce before preparation. Employee drinks were seen stored above food and equipment. Containers of seasonings were seen missing proper labels.
Unwashed produce was seen stored above ready-to-eat foods in a walk-in cooler. Cold-holding TCS foods were seen being kept above 41°F. Chili was seen cooling above 41°F. Raw shelled eggs were seen not properly labeled with start time for Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC).
Dining tables were cleaned with a single towel from a chlorine sanitizing solution, according to the report. The health department has released the full inspection report for the restaurant online for the public.
Follow-Up Inspections Scheduled
As per the report, Kisoya will face the follow-up inspection in 10 days, by April 5. There will also be a required additional inspection that will be conducted within 12 months.
For Waffle House #1194, the follow-up inspection will be conducted on April 4, as per the report. The report did not mention if and when a required additional inspection will be conducted.
Inspectors from the GNR County Health Departments visited a total of 22 restaurants on Wednesday, March 26. Among them, 8 scored 100 points, and 8 scored between 90 and 99, making the total number of restaurants with an “A” grade 16. The 5 restaurants with B grades scored between 80 and 89.
