[Editor’s note: The report mentioned here is from an inspection conducted on November 19 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.]
On November 19, the Tennessee Health Department conducted a routine health inspection at Swett’s. The restaurant was cited for multiple health code violations, including improper storage of food items and poor maintenance, resulting in a low score.
Swett’s
- When: November 19, 2025
- Where: 2725 Clifton Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
- Score: 66
According to the health inspection report, Swett’s was cited for 21 violations. They are as follows:
- The report states that the manager was unable to correct the priority violations.
- Inspectors noted that an employee exited the kitchen through the back door and re-entered without washing hands before starting the food preparation.
- An employee was seen taking a cube of ice from inside the ice machine with their bare hands and eating it, the report noted.
- Raw catfish filets were found thawing in the walk-in cooler and stored below raw beef.
- Raw shelled eggs were kept above ready-to-eat peppers and carrots in the walk-in cooler.
- The high-temperature dishwasher reached only 154°F, which was below the required sanitizing temperature.
- The person in charge said that the utensils were being washed, sanitized, and then rinsed, following the improper ware-washing rule.
- A large stock pot of greens was found cooling in the walk-in cooler. The product, cooked about five hours earlier, measured 50°F at the time of inspection.
- A plastic container of raw pork chop loins was found on a prep table at 51°F, not being actively prepared. The person in charge was unable to confirm how long it had been at room temperature.
- Cooked meatloaf in the walk-in cooler was marked with a date of 11/12/2025. It exceeded the seven-day date-marking allowance, according to the report.
- No visible thermometers were seen inside the walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer, the report shows.
- A live roach was observed near the high-temperature dishwasher.
- A pot of cooked collard greens was found stored directly on the floor inside the walk-in cooler.
- Wet aluminum pans were kept on the drying rack near the warewashing area.
- Several shelving units were covered in aluminum foil, which is not easily cleanable.
- No quaternary ammonium test strips were available in the establishment.
- The can opener blade was dirty.
- The restroom door inside the kitchen was missing its self-closing device.
- Floor tiles along the cook line were in poor repair, causing grease to pool.
- Ceiling tiles throughout the establishment were in poor repair, the report said.
- Ceiling vents throughout the establishment were in poor repair.
A detailed inspection report is available online.
Follow-up Inspection
According to the health inspection report footnote, repeated violations and failure to correct the violations within 10 days will result in the suspension of the establishment’s food permit.
