GNR County Health Department conducted a health inspection in Metro Atlanta. Three restaurants were unable to demonstrate satisfactory levels of compliance with the food code, leading to their failure in the inspection.
Some issues were resolved on-site during the inspection under the supervision of officials. As for the issues that remain unsolved, the health inspectors will arrange follow-up inspections in the coming days.
Please note that the scores mentioned here are from a particular inspection conducted on March 18 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the establishments.
Highlights
- The GNR county health department officials gave the unsatisfactory “U” grade to three metro Atlanta restaurants on Tuesday, March 18.
- Lack of managerial control, food storage, and hygiene issues were among the common issues found at the restaurants.
- Following the inspection, the restaurants are scheduled for a follow-up within 10 days to address the violations.
Maki of Japan
- Where: 3333 Buford Dr Suite 1076 Buford, GA 30519
- Date: March 18, 2025
- Score: 64
Maki of Japan inside the Mall of Georgia in Buford received an unsatisfactory score in the health inspection conducted by the GNR health department on Tuesday. The inspectors evaluated the restaurant and gave it 64 points. The inspection report is available online.
The first observation cited in the inspection report was that the person in charge (PIC) did not have active managerial control of the facility. The PIC also lacked the knowledge of reporting the symptoms and diseases to the Health Department.
The inspectors also noted that 2 employees who were present during the inspection were not aware of their responsibility to report foodborne illnesses. An employee was seen wearing bracelets while cooking.
Inspectors also reported several instances of improper food storage inside the freezers and time/temperature control for safety (TCS) was noted. Other food items were seen not cooling at a fast enough temperature. In yet another violation, food items were seen being cooled in containers covered with plastic bags.
The temperatures inside the cooler underneath the grill were reported to be not in compliance. A walk-in cooler in the external storage area had standing water and food debris on the floor inside, the report said. Broken tiles around the kitchen floors, fully degraded grout throughout the kitchen, water, and food debris accumulation in between the floor tiles were also reported.
Golden Apple Buffet
- Where: 2059 Scenic Hwy N Suite 117 Snellville, GA 30078
- Date: March 18, 2025
- Score: 60
The routine health inspection that was conducted at Golden Apple Buffet identified multiple food safety violations at the restaurant. The full inspection report has been released online.
The unsatisfactory score was a result of an overall lack of active managerial control at the establishment, the report said. Another violation noted that employee drinks in unapproved cups were kept on the prep counters.
In regard to improper food storage, the inspectors found that raw foods were stored with possible cross-contamination and improper cooling methods were noticed. Procedures being followed for thawing were also not in compliance with the health instructions.
A second consecutive violation was recorded in the case of the scoops without handles that were being stored in direct contact with food.
Multiple clean dishes were seen stacked wet throughout the facility. The quat sanitizer that was being used by employees to wash dishes was less than the recommended ppm.
Top Wings And Fish
- Where: 4099 Lawrenceville Hwy Lilburn, GA 30047
- Date: March 18, 2025
- Score: 51
Top Wings and Fish failed the health inspection that was conducted on March 18. The restaurant scored 51 points, falling short of the 70 points required to pass the inspection. The inspection report is available online.
The unsatisfactory scores were a result of the several risk factor violations observed during the inspection. Inspectors held the person in charge responsible for these violations and this issue was marked as a second consecutive violation.
Employees failed to follow the proper handwashing and glove usage procedures while handling the food. The report also mentioned that the employee jackets were seen to be stored on top of food. The women’s bathroom did not have a trash can that bears a cover.
There were also various issues concerning improper food storage. As a third consecutive violation, food items were seen stored in the walk-in cooler and freezer with a possible chance of contamination. There were also issues with the date labeling for various food items pointed out in the report.
The cold-holding temperatures for the 3 containers of rice were not sufficiently low and the thawing process was also observed to be not in compliance, the report stated.
The facility did not provide consumer advisory for undercooked animal foods. It also lacked the inspection report displayed within a readable distance for the customers. The drive-thru did not have the top third of the inspection report posted either.
The inspectors noted that the door at the facility was slightly opening onto the dumpster. The back door to the facility was open and did not self-close, the report said. The report also said that the dumpster had a significant buildup around and above it. The fume hood also had significant buildup, as mentioned in the report. A cardboard was seen on the ceiling instead of tiles, next to the frier and grill.
Follow-up Inspections Scheduled
All three restaurants mentioned above will face the follow-up inspection within the next 10 days. All uncorrected violations must be resolved by then or the permit may be suspended. If the restaurant is scored unsatisfactorily two consecutive times, it will also lead to permit suspension. Moreover, three or more consecutive violations of the same food code will result in permit suspension as well.
A total of 42 restaurants were inspected by the Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale County health department on Tuesday, March 18. Among them, 19 emerged victorious in scoring a perfect 100. Additionally, 10 restaurants scored between 90 and 99, making the total number of “A” grade restaurants 29. Securing a “B” grade were 9 restaurants, and one got the “C” grade.
