Restaurant Roundup: October 30

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Whenever you go out to eat, knowing which kitchen is clean and what food is safe can mean the difference between a second helping or sending something back.

These scores are meant to help inform Memphis and Shelby County residents about what places pass and which ones need to clean up.

The Tennessee Department of Health posts scores regularly and updates them frequently. Click the link to learn more.

Previous editions: Oct. 23 | Oct.16 | Oct. 9 |

Top Scores

• Ancient Grounds | 2000 Prentiss Pl. Memphis, TN 38112
• Danny Deli | 501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis, TN 38105
• Dominos Event Center | 266 Danny Thomas Pl. Memphis, TN 38105
• Domino Village (St. Jude) | 361 N Third St. Memphis, TN 38105
• FedexForum Plaza Lobby Bar | 191 Beale St. Memphis, TN 38103
• FedexForum Food Portable | 191 Beale St. Memphis, TN 38103
• FedexForum Event Level Bar | 191 Beale St. Memphis, TN 38103
• FedexForum Concession Stand RM 3D13B | 191 Beale St. Memphis, TN 38103
• FedexForum Club Level Club | 191 Beale St. Memphis, TN 38103
• Libertas | 3833 Mountain Terrace St. Memphis, TN 38127
• Los Parceros Food Truck (Mobile Unit) | 2870 S. Perkins Rd. Suite #105 Memphis, TN 38118
• Maroon Brew Co. | 642 W Poplar Ave. Collierville, TN 38017
• Sushi with Saga | 262 N. Danny Thomas Memphis, TN 38105
• Teton (Mobile Unit) | 2000 Prentiss Pl. Memphis TN 38112
• Zambezi (Event Kitchen) | 2000 Prentiss Pl. Memphis, TN 38112

Low Scores

Kobe Japanese Cuisine – 83 | 8510 Wilkinsville Rd. Millington, TN 38053

• Raw animal foods observed stored over ready to eat foods
• Cooked rice stored on top shelf inside walk-in cooler is not date marked
• • Date provided
• No thermometer observed inside the prep cooler
• No labels observed on bottles or food containers located throughout the food prep area
• Food containers stored on the shelf near ice machine missing labels
• Fly traps (3) observed attached to ceiling tile in food prep area
• • PIC removed traps
• Outer opening observed at rear door
• Wiping cloths observed stored on cutting boards and throughout the food prep area
• • Cloths moved and placed in sanitizer bucket
• Ice scoop observed stored on box of Ramune strawberry beverage
• Ice buildup observed inside the prep cooler in sushi area
• Heavy buildup observed on the floor throughout food prep area

Yellow Rose (Bar) – 83 | 4226 S. Third St. Memphis, TN 38109

• Hand sink is dirty with no soap or paper towels
• Person in charge said there is no approved food service
• Bar spray nozzles are dirty with dark slime
• Missing internal thermometers observed inside refrigerator units
• Ice buckets observed stored upright and on the floor
• Bar refrigeration units are not in good repair and are dirty
• Missing ware washing sink in the bar area and no dishwasher
• Floors and walls are dirty
• Current food permit not posted
• Current health inspection not posted

Inspector’s note: Please correct the priority violations prior to follow up visit in 10 days.

Red Koi Express Japanese Cuisine – 80 | 431 S. Highland St. Suite 128 Memphis, TN 38111

• Employee observed rinsing out wiping cloth inside the hand sink by the sushi area
• • Handwashing only at those sinks
• Observed bowls of vegetables stacked on top of each other inside the cooler
• No date marking system in place
• Unlabeled squeeze bottles observed inside the cooler
• No labels observed on raw meat containers inside the cooler
• Uncovered bowls of vegetables inside the cooler
• Scoops improperly stored inside the sugar bin, sushi rice bin, and hibachi rice bin
• Plastic bowls being used as scoopers inside the sugar bin
• Employee observed improperly washing hands while wearing gloves
• Multiple food items being stored in non-food grade containers inside multiple coolers

Avaline River Oaks – 80 | 1645 W Massey Rd. Memphis, TN 38120

• Large fan blocking the hand sink
• Slicers and can openers have excessive food buildup and debris
• Observed out of date food items stored inside walk-in cooler back to start of October
• Internal thermometers missing from multiple units
• Multiple boxes of food stored inside walk-in freezer
• Personal open water bottles observed mixed in with food items intended for customers
• No hair restraint worn while preparing food items
• Excessively soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables and cutting boards
• In-use spatula stored on oven mitts
• Door for walk-in cooler and freezers is broken and does not close properly as ice buildup occurs on the door
• All equipment has food crumb accumulation at bottom and on rime of doors; specifically, meat coolers
• Floors have excessive buildup under equipment, on walls, and ceilings have dust accumulation and food splatter
• Location has 24 hours to make a payment for permit renewal

Yellow Rose (Restaurant) – 75 | 4226 S. Third St. Memphis, TN 38109

• Person in charge (PIC) was unable to say who serviced the food sourcing
• Improper food storage procedures observed
• • Raw chicken improperly stored with hot dogs, fries, fully cooked, chicken nuggets
• No sanitizer being dispensed from the 3 compartment sink
• All refrigerator equipment is not in good repair or operating during the inspection
• Missing internal hanging thermometers in all refrigerator units
• PIC unable to locate for review their individual facility food grade thermometer
• Unlabeled food items observed in the freezer
• Gap of light under the back door exit
• Multiple cases of fryer oil stored on the kitchen floor
• Ice scoop improperly stored on top of the ice machine
• Kitchen equipment is not in good repair or operable
• Ware washing 3 compartment sink is not labeled
• Women’s restroom observed missing the covered trash receptacle
• Women’s restroom exhaust air is not in good repair
• Men’s restroom urinal is damaged and not in good repair
• Current permit not posted for public viewing
• Current health inspection not posted for public viewing

Inspector’s note: Priority violations must be corrected before 11/2/26.

RAB Memphis LLC – TJ Mulligan’s Kirby – 72 | 1817 Kirby Pkwy. Suite 1 Memphis, TN 38138

• Full employee meal observed on prep station with open lid where food is being prepared
• Catfish and sitting water in the middle pans stored inside of the hand sink, causing the hand sinks to be blocked
• Improper hand washing observed occurring between employees putting away personal food and cell phone without washing hands in between
• Multiple cutting boards are properly maintained
• Multiple food items observed being sotred out of date inside reach-in coolers
• Codfish observed sitting in water
• Boxes of food stored on the floor
• Uncovered items left on prep stations
• Multiple soiled wiping cloths stored on prep station with no sanitizer bucket in sight
• Freezers need defrosting and food debris removed
• Multiple exterior doors of coolers, fry baskets and exterior of large bins have excessive food buildup and need deep cleaning
• Dumpster lid left open
• Ceilings, walls under equipment, floors and floor tiles have excessive food, splatter and / or cracks throughout the building

Café 143 – 68 | 143 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN 38103

• Hand were not being washed before handling food items because the hand sink was not properly supplied
• Hand soap and paper towels are not present at the hand sink
• Two vacuum sealed logs of beef are stored on a shelf above sauce packets
• Bleach is available, but employees said they only use soap to wash dishes
• Ice machine has black buildup present
• Bag of cooked mushrooms does not have a date marking on it
• Consumer advisory is present on the menu, but an asterisk was not placed to indicate which foods that are offered undercooked
• Both chest freezers have buildup present
• Grease buildup present on the wall
• Hot water was not available due to construction in the basement
• Doors to both restrooms are not self closing
• Lights in the kitchen area do not have covers
• Flat top grill is in use without a vent above it
• Most recent inspection is not posted

Inspector notes: Establishment must remain closed due to a lack of hot water in the kitchen. Establishment may reopen when hot water is available and the inspector has conducted a reinspection. Click here to sign up for our newsletter!

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