Three restaurants in Atlanta were found to be in violation of food safety regulations, as revealed in a routine health inspection conducted on Thursday. GNR Public Health Department will conduct a re-inspection at these restaurants to ensure correct compliance status.
Please note that the results mentioned here are from an inspection conducted on May 29 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the establishments.
Highlights
- Three restaurants in Duluth failed a health inspection by the GNR Public Health Department.
- The inspection was conducted on May 29, and all three outlets received a ‘U’ grade due to food safety violations.
- The restaurants are scheduled for reinspection and must address the violations beforehand.
Pho Tai
- Where: 1630 Pleasant Hill Rd A7, Duluth, GA 30096
- When: May 29, 2025
- Score & Grade: 46 U
Pho Tai is a Vietnamese restaurant in the City Farmers Market in Duluth. During a routine health inspection at the restaurant on Thursday, multiple food safety violations were found. The GNR health department has also released a detailed health inspection report.
Employee cups were stored in areas designated for food. A food handler was observed washing his hands in a one-compartment vegetable sink. The inspector observed unwashed produce stored above ready-to-eat food (soups, broths, noodles). Several utensils and cooking equipment items were not clean.
Moreover, many food items were not labeled and date-marked. The inspector observed at least 20 working containers of sauce and spices that were not labeled with a common name. Pork intestines and rice noodles were found thawing at room temperature.
The inspectors also found food stored on the floor in the kitchen (bone broth soup) and the walk-in cooler (soup, onions). There was also a buildup of debris on various nonfood contact surfaces like spice trays, prep shelving, outside of the prep cooler, and the side of the fryers.
Gom Shabu Shabu
- Where: 3502 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30096
- When: May 29, 2025
- Score & Grade: 56 U
Gom Shabu Shabu is a restaurant in Duluth that is known for its Korean-Japanese menu. In a health inspection on May 29, the restaurant got a ‘U’ grade and a low score of 56. The health inspection report of the restaurant cites various food safety violations.
Gloves and a pitcher of water were improperly stored in a handwashing sink. The inspector found that the facility was receiving green shell mussels from Metro Chef, a supplier not listed in the Interstate Shellfish Shippers List. Health regulations require shellfish to be sourced from authorized suppliers.
The inspector also noticed raw meat on top of sweet potatoes in the walk-in cooler, raw ground meat on top of mayonnaise in the prep cooler, and repackaged raw meats above ready-to-eat foods in the freezers.
Cans of butane were stored above packages of noodles. Bottles of rubbing alcohol were found on the prep table next to the meat and above clean cutting boards and a container of soy sauce. Furthermore, raw meat was stored in the vegetable sink during the inspection. The meat was moved, and the sink was cleaned and sanitized.
El Patio and Base of Operation
- Where: 1500 Pleasant Hill Rd Ste 116, Duluth, GA 30096
- When: May 29, 2025
- Score & Grade: 58 U
El Patio received an unsatisfactory rating after a health inspection due to the following observed violations. A detailed inspection report is also available for public review.
Inspectors noted that the person in charge was not on-site. However, this was corrected on-site when the person in charge arrived during the inspection.
Staff were also observed preparing pastries off-site for sale in the establishment. The inspector asked to discard them as food shall be obtained from sources that comply with the law. Food items were not segregated and stored accordingly, posing a risk of cross-contamination.
Food holding temperatures for several food items were not maintained. The inspector observed sauce bottles, water/oil mix, salt water mix, and garlic-in-oil without labels. Furthermore, items were improperly cooled in plastic-wrapped containers. The inspector educated the person in charge on proper cooling methods.
Additionally, the front prep cooler was not at a temperature low enough to hold foods at 41°F or below. The facility was advised to ensure that the equipment meets temperature requirements.
Follow-up Inspections Scheduled
All three restaurants mentioned above will undergo a re-inspection within the next 10 days. The inspection reports indicate that some violations were addressed during the inspection. The rest have to be fixed by June 6, 2025. If the restaurants fail to eliminate the violations, they may face permit suspension.
The GNR County Health Department monitors food safety practices in the area. This helps in preventing foodborne illness outbreaks in the community.
