Two restaurants in metro Atlanta, one in Norcross and the other in Covington failed the health inspection on Tuesday, April 8. Inspectors from the GNR County Health Departments found several violations of the food safety regulations at the restaurants.
Among the observed violations, most were resolved during the inspection. However, all the other violations that remain to be corrected have been given a deadline within which they must be addressed. Failing to solve these issues within the given timeframe may result in permit suspension for the establishments.
Please note that the scores mentioned here are from particular inspections conducted on April 8 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the establishments.
Highlights
- Two restaurants received an unsatisfactory “U” in the health inspections conducted on April 8.
- The inspection report for the restaurants cited a range of issues at the restaurants, including lack of managerial control, food storage, and hygiene issues.
- Having failed the routine inspection, the restaurants will undergo a follow-up inspection in the coming days which will ensure compliance with the food code.
Multiple Food Safety Violations Reported at Nations Cafe Lounge
- Where: 5929 Jimmy Carter Blvd Norcross, GA 30071
- Date: April 8, 2025
- Score: 61 (U)
The Nations Cafe Lounge at Norcross underwent the health inspection between 12:30 PM and 2:50 PM on Tuesday—the inspection report for the restaurant after the routine inspection listed multiple violations of the food safety rules.
The report began by stating that multiple risk factor violations that were observed at the restaurant pointed to a lack of active managerial control by the person in charge. This was the first among the total of 8 violations that were recorded at the restaurant.
Inspectors saw contaminated flour, which had live insects, dead insects, and larvae-like objects, in a cooler used as a dry storage cabinet. Mold was found on kenkey (stuffed corn husks) and cabbage in the walk-in cooler as well.
Multiple dead insects were found inside a cooler used as dry storage and in unused buffet equipment. Marking a second consecutive violation, live insects were observed inside the standing cooler used as dry storage.
Cross-contamination risk was also reported due to improper food storage at the restaurant. Frozen raw fish, beef, chicken, and steak that were removed from the original packaging were seen stored above-cooked meats and ready-to-eat foods in the freezer.
Raw shell eggs were seen stored above juices in the walk-in cooler as well. As corrective measures, the raw animal foods were separated from ready-to-eat foods.
The report also cited improper cold-holding temperatures at the restaurant. Several time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods were observed to be stored above 41°F in the walk-in cooler. All the affected foods were discarded.
The report noted that the person in charge explained that the walk-in cooler was turned off for cleaning at 6 AM and that it was holding a proper temperature of 41°F or below during the inspection.
Milk, cream, and coconut milk were seen held past their printed expiration dates. The expired food items were discarded. The hood filters above the cooking equipment had a noticeable grease accumulation, it was reported.
Jersey Mike’s Subs Found to Be In Non-Compliance with Food Code
- Where: 10333 Industrial Blvd Covington, GA 30014
- Date: April 8, 2025
- Score: 64 (U)
Health inspectors visited Jersey Mike’s Subs location in Covington on Tuesday evening between 4:15 PM and 7 PM. The report of the inspection listed various violations of the food code at the establishment.
The person in charge (PIC) did not demonstrate full knowledge of food safety and active managerial control of the facility, the report said. The PIC was unaware of what symptoms or illnesses to report and this was marked a case of a repeat violation.
Moreover, they could not show that employees were trained on reporting symptoms and could not explain when to restrict or exclude sick employees, the report also said.
Four employees were seen beginning to work without washing their hands. One employee was seen touching clothing and started preparing food without handwashing. Some employees handled raw meat and ready-to-eat foods after changing gloves without washing hands. As corrective measures, employees were trained to wash their hands, and any possibly contaminated food was discarded.
An employee was seen storing drinks and donuts above packaged drinks for customers. There were clear signs that the employee was drinking and eating the food, the report said. Headphones and a backpack were observed stored on top of boxed drinks. To correct the issue, all personal items were removed and properly stored.
Employees who were making food had uncovered hair and beards longer than the allowed length without a beard guard. Hair restraints were worn by the employees to solve the issue.
Multiple employees were seen wearing bracelets, rings, and watches while handling food. As corrective actions, the jewelry was removed, and all possibly contaminated items were discarded.
The sanitizing water in the three-compartment sink, which had equipment in it, had a low sanitizing concentration. The PIC was mentored, the solution was remade, and equipment was re-sanitized as corrective action.
There were two meats in the deli case that lacked date marking, the report noted. The employees did not recall the exact date on which the meat was opened as it was not opened that day. The meats were discarded.
The report also pointed out that bottles of cleaners were seen stored next to customer drinks.
As corrective actions, the cleaning products were moved to the proper storage area, and education was provided.
Two condiment bottles had broken lids with large holes, noted the report. A shaker with no handle was seen stored directly in cornmeal. The shaker was removed, and education was given as corrective actions.
Follow-Up Inspections Scheduled
The follow-up inspections at both Jersey Mike’s Subs and Nations Cafe Lounge will happen within 10 days, as per the inspection report. Furthermore, a required additional routine inspection will occur within 12 months at the establishments.
The full inspection reports for Jersey Mike’s Subs and Nations Cafe Lounge, containing the details of the violations, have been released online for the public.
The Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale County Health Departments inspected 24 food establishments on April 8. Among them, nine scored 100, seven scored in the 90s, five scored in the 80s, and one scored in the 70s. Except for one Required Additional Routine inspection, all the others were routine inspections.
