Homestyle Southern Restaurant in Memphis Cited for Multiple Violations During Health Inspection

[Editor’s note: The report mentioned here is from inspections conducted on June 2 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishments.]

The Tennessee Department of Health conducted a routine health inspection at Sugar Grits on June 2. According to the official inspection report, the restaurant was cited for a dirty and inoperable handwashing sink, insect activity, and improper storage of food items. The restaurant received a score of 64.

WhatNow has reached out to the restaurant for comment and will update the story upon receiving a response.

Sugar Grits

Official inspection report screenshot — A screenshot of the official inspection report of the Sugar Grits restaurant (Image Credit: inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/tennessee)

When: June 2, 2026

Where: 150 Peabody Pl, Suite 111, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

Score: 64

Sugar Grits is a homestyle Southern eatery and offers Southern comfort food items in a relaxed atmosphere. According to the inspection report, the violations included the following:

The report noted pans were stored in a handwashing sink next to the hot holding wells. The staff was advised to use the handwashing sink for handwashing only.
A handwashing station in the food prep area had food buildup; the employees stated that the sanitizer bucket water was dumped in the handwashing sink at the end of the night.
The handwashing sink in the corner by a mixer was not operable. The hot water handle is broken, and the pipe also had a leak. The staff was instructed to repair the handwashing sink.
The report noted shell eggs stored above raw spinach and shredded cheese on a prep cooler shelf. The bottom shelf also had an uncovered container of whisked eggs, shredded cheese, and raw spinach. The staff was advised to store raw animal products on the lower shelf and separate them from vegetables and ready-to-eat food items. The refrigerator chart was present on the walk-in cooler door.
The cutting board at the wooden prep table had deep grooves and was stained. The staff was asked to replace it.
The report noted pink and brown buildup in the ice machine. Staff were instructed to discard the ice and wash, rinse, and sanitize the ice machine.
The report noted sausage patties stored at 96°F on the flat top. The sausages were prepared last night and were brought out of the cooler in the morning for service. The restaurant staff was advised to store ready-to-eat foods at 41°F or below or 135°F or above. The food items were discarded during the inspection.
Ham and chorizo items were discarded during the June 2 inspection as items were prepared on May 23, according to the label. The restaurant was advised to hold food items for 7 days only.
The restaurant menu was missing consumer advisories for uncooked eggs, steaks, and burgers. The report directed the restaurant to provide a consumer advisory fact sheet.
The inspection found an unlabeled chemical bottle in the dish area. The report directed staff to label chemical bottles with their contents.
The restaurant’s TrueReach cooler was missing a thermometer. The report instructed that all coolers should have hanging thermometers.

Screenshot of violations — Screenshot of the violations mentioned in the Sugar Grits inspection report (Image Credit: inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/tennessee)

The report stated that the dishwashing area had roaches.
The ice paddle was stored on the ledge of the ice machine. The staff was instructed to store the ice paddle in a clean container or hang it in a proper way to prevent contamination.
The tongs were also improperly stored on the oven rail instead of being stored in a clean container or hung in a way that would prevent contamination.
During the inspection, clean mops were stored on the floor in the storage area. The report advised storing all the mops off the floor.
A plastic ramekin was used as a scoop for the grape jelly. The staff was advised to use a scoop with a handle, and the handle should be kept upright out of the food ingredients.
A box of to-go lids was stored on the floor in the dry storage area. The staff was instructed to store all the single-use items at least 6 inches off the floor.
The freezer holding country-fried steak and beignets had ice buildup. The staff was instructed to defrost the walk-in freezer. Ice buildup was also present in the walk-in freezer.
The report also advised the restaurant staff to provide test strips for the quat sanitizer at the 3-compartment sink.
The restaurant’s microwave had food buildup. The staff was told to maintain cleanliness.
Toilet paper was stored on the top of the holders in both restrooms. The staff was instructed to keep toilet paper in the toilet paper holders.
The 3-compartment sink pipe had a leak, and a bus tub of water was present on the floor under the sink. The restaurant was advised to repair the leak.
The vent hood, ANSUL system, and the floors in between fryers had food and grease buildup. Staff were told to maintain the cleanliness of the floors around and under the equipment.

A detailed inspection report is available here.

Follow-up Inspection

Sugar Grits inspection report screenshot — A screenshot of the inspection report (Image Credit: inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/tennessee)

Due to all the health and safety code violations mentioned in the inspection report, the restaurant received a low score of 64. The restaurant is required to correct all the violations identified in the inspection report before requesting a reinspection.