[Editor’s note: The report mentioned here is from inspections conducted on June 30 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishments.]
The Tennessee Department of Health conducted a series of routine health inspections on June 30. Los Comales Restaurant and Straight Drop Seafood Memphis received low inspection scores after inspectors documented several violations.
Los Comales Restaurant was cited for unlabeled food items, damaged ceiling tiles, and open bags of food items. Straight Drop Seafood Memphis was cited for inoperable handwashing sinks and improper storage of food items.
WhatNow has reached out to both restaurants for comment and will update the story upon receiving a response.
Los Comales Restaurant
When: June 30, 2026
Where: 4774 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122, United States
Score: 71
Los Comales Restaurant is a casual and family-friendly Mexican restaurant. According to the inspection report, the violations included the following:
- The inspection report documented several violations. The PIC was unaware of the shell stock requirement for the oysters served in the facility.
- Shellstock tags were missing from oysters stored in the walk-in cooler. The oysters were also not listed on the menu, and no customer advisory was provided on the menu. The PIC was instructed to stop serving them.
- Several food containers in the prep cooler lacked date markings or labels. The staff was advised to label all the food containers.
- No thermometer was present inside the prep cooler, walk-in freezer, or walk-in cooler. The report says, the restaurant was ordered to provide a thermometer.
- Open bags of rice were stored on the ground in the dry storage room located outside. The staff was instructed to store open products inside the closed containers.
- Uncovered meat containers were kept in the prep cooler. The report stated that food must be covered when not in use.
- Dirty clothes were hanging from the handwashing sink’s sneeze guard. The restaurant was advised to store all wiping cloths in a sanitizer bucket when not in use.
- Inspectors found tongs resting on meat in the meat pullout drawer. The utensils are required to be stored upright. The report noted heavy stains on the cutting board on the prep station and ordered it to be replaced.
- The inspection report found the interior door of the Supera cooler was damaged and damaged ceiling tiles in the employee bathroom in the kitchen. The restaurant was advised to repair the door and ceiling tiles.
- The report also noted a missing ceiling tile in the food preparation area and instructed the staff to replace it.
- The inspection report found that the dumpster lid was open and advised keeping the lid closed on the dumpster to prevent pest entry.
- The restaurant did not post the last inspection report on display. The staff was instructed to post the last inspection report.
A detailed inspection report is available here.
Follow-Up Inspection
Following the inspection, the restaurant received a score of 71. The restaurant is required to correct all the violations before requesting a reinspection.
Straight Drop Seafood Memphis
When: June 30, 2026
Where: 615 Chelsea Ave, Memphis, TN 38107, United States
Score: 74
Straight Drop Seafood Memphis is a famous seafood restaurant. The inspection report identified several major health code violations, including:
- According to the report, multiple priority health code violations related to handwashing sinks, unclean food contact surfaces, and improper storage of raw food items were noted.
- During the inspection, the report noted that both handwashing sinks of the restaurant were inoperable due to a plumbing issue and had no soap or paper towels present in the kitchen. The restaurant was advised to repair both handwashing sinks within 24 hours to ensure proper handwashing.
- Employees left the kitchen and returned without washing their hands. The staff was instructed to wash their hands when changing tasks, after using restrooms, when returning from outside, and when handling raw foods.
- Raw shrimp was stored on top of a box of produce. The inspection report advised storing raw animal products in proper containers and not on top of produce to prevent cross-contamination.
- The report stated that cooked foods and produce should be stored on the top shelf and raw fish, raw beef, and raw chicken on the bottom shelf.
- Both prep table cutting boards had deep grooves and stains and cannot be cleaned and sanitized properly. The staff was ordered to discard and replace the cutting boards.
- Brown buildup was found inside the ice machine. The restaurant was advised to discard the ice and then wash, rinse, and sanitize the interior of the ice machine.
- To-go containers and aluminum pans were not properly inverted to prevent contamination. The restaurant also had no sanitizer strips available to test the sanitizer concentrations. The restaurant staff was asked to store containers and pans inverted and provide sanitizer strips.
- The report also noted that the exterior of the kitchen equipment and floors had buildup and stained ceiling tiles. The report called for routine cleaning.
- An employee’s phone and headphones were stored on the prep counter. The staff was instructed to store all employee items away from the food prep area.
- The report found grease buildup on the vent hood and unlit lights in the kitchen. The restaurant was advised to routinely clean to prevent grease buildup and cover all the kitchen lights.
For more information, a detailed inspection report is available online.
Follow-Up Inspection
The restaurant received a score of 74 following the inspection. The health department will conduct a reinspection to verify compliance. To pass the follow-up inspection, the restaurant is required to correct all the violations and repair all the broken and damaged items.
