Restaurant Roundup: November 13

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: Nov. 6 | Oct. 30 | Oct. 23 |

Top Scores

• Aramark Food Services (Jail East) | 6201 Haley Rd. Memphis, TN 38134
• Island Paradise #2 | 7274 Timberly Cv. Memphis, TN 38119
• Ka’Boosh Kitchen (Mobile Unit) | 946 Manassas St. Memphis, TN 38107
• Smith Fish and More (Mobile Unit) | 3921 Clover Hill Dr. Bartlett, TN 38135
• Triunfo Restaurant | 694 Waring Memphis, TN 38122

Low Scores

Pete & Sam’s – 78 | 3886 Park Ave. Memphis, TN 38111

• Multiple cracked shell eggs observed stored inside case on shelf inside walk-in cooler
• • Discarded cracked eggs
• Multiple sanitizer and chemical bottles observed on top row of prep table and on cutting board next to raw beef
• No interior thermometers observed inside walk-in or reach-in cooler
• Flour bins are not labeled
• Container of food items stored on floor inside walk-in cooler
• Wiping cloths observed stored throughout the kitchen area
• Clean plates and bowls on service rack were not inverted
• Interior and exterior of coolers and freezers are dirty
• Brown sugar bin is extremely dirty
• Exterior of all kitchen equipment is dirty and covered in food debris
• Hand sink upon entering the kitchen is leaking
• No handwashing sign observed inside the men’s restroom
• Mop bucket with dirty mop water observed in the back of the kitchen
• Dirty cloth napkins and food debris observed under large table in back of dining area
• Floors are extremely dirty
• Multiple puddles of water observed
• Heavy rust accumulation observed on air vents

American Deli – 76 | 3545 Park Ave. Memphis, TN 38111

• Multiple cold holding violations and cross contamination observed, demonstrating a lack of knowledge by Person in Charge (PIC) and kitchen staff
• Container of cooked chicken tenders observed stored next to uncovered container of raw chicken
• Raw shrimp, leaf lettuce, and sliced ham reading in the food temperature danger zone
• • PIC discarded food items outside of cold holding temps
• Chicken tenders observed temping 101 °F inside reach-in cooler
• • Discarded
• Container of sugar and raw chicken wings in walk-in cooler are not labeled
• Gaps observed in the bottom of the back door
• Container of sliced pickles observed stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler
• Lid used to cover sugar container has a hole in it
• Interior of microwave is dirty
• Door to walk-in cooler does not self close
• American Deli cup attached to a pipe under the prep sink with duct tape to ensure water properly lands in the drain
• • Pipe needs repair
• Ceiling tiles and walls are stained
• Multiple water stains observed on ceiling tiles in the dining area
• Chipped floor tiles observed at back door
• Grease buildup observed on vent hood

Kim Chai – 69 | 3307 Summer Ave. Memphis, TN 38122

• Multiple food priority violations present
• Employees not washing their hands before preparing or touching food
• Hand sink blocked by buckets of soy sauce
• Bucket of frozen chicken stored on the floor underneath the storage stand
• Improper cooling observed for rice. Temp reading at 98 °F
• Improper thawing of a bucket of chicken
• No labels observed on food containers
• Multiple containers of food stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler
• Dirty wiping cloths air drying on clean pots
• Ice scooper improperly stored inside the ice machine
• Observed several items used as a scooper in dry storage (bowls, pots, etc.)
• Paper plates and to-go containers stored upright on the prep cooler
• No test strips available
• Observed stains in the men’s toilet, and light shield is missing off a light fixture
• Stained ceiling tiles observed in need of replacement
• Light shielding missing off light fixtures throughout the kitchen
• No “No smoking” sign posted

Mahogany River Terrace - 67 | 280 Island Dr. Memphis, TN 38103

• Numerous food safety violations regarding proper handwashing, hand sink accessibility, toxic items proper storage, proper cold holding, and consumer advisory not being posted
• Employee observed talking on the phone and putting gloves on without washing hands first
• Observed hand sink next to the dishwasher to be blocked by containers and boxes, with an old speaker across the top of the sink
• Cooked pasta noodles on the counter, cooked yesterday was reading 51°F
• • Discarded
• Consumer advisory not posted on the QR code menu that guests must use to view the menu
• Container of dry rice sitting on top of a bucket of hydraulic oil
• Bottles of juice, containers of chicken broth, box of white rice, and a case of chili sauce were observed being stored on the ground
• Wiping cloths stored on the kitchen counter
• Clean pots and pans not properly inverted
• Significant ice buildup observed inside of the walk-in freezer
• Food and liquid buildup present inside the salad bar prep cooler and the raw meat cooler
• Excessive dust buildup present on ceilings throughout the kitchen
• Excessive dust buildup present on lights throughout the kitchen
• Grease buildup present on the vent hood vents
• Broken light shield near the dishwasher
• Kitchen and both bar permits are expired and must be paid within 24 hours
• No “No smoking” sign posted

Thor Indian Cuisine – 66 | 3950 Park Ave. Memphis, TN 38111

• Multiple priority violations observed. Person in charge (PIC) did not know proper hot or cold temperatures for food items
• Fly observed in uncovered pan of curry chicken left on table
• • PIC discarded
• Pink buildup observed inside corner of ice machine
• Cutting boards attached to both prep coolers are stained and have deep grooves
• Multiple large pans of cooked basmati rice left out on the counter
• • PIC said that it was cooked before 11 am that day
  • Rice temperature was reading 104 °F and 103 °F
  • Discarded
• Pan of chicken bites left out on cart. Temperature reading was 79 °F
• • Cook said that when orders come in, chicken is dropped into the fryer, then served
• No food items in the walk-in cooler were date-marked
• Bleach, pot, and detergent stored on the bottom shelf of rack next to an open container of fried peanuts
• Multiple containers of dried goods not labeled
• Flies observed throughout the kitchen area
• Employees observed not wearing proper hair restraints
• Wiping cloths stored in various places around the kitchen
• Clean pots and pans observed being stored on the floor across from the dish machine
• All equipment and coolers (interiors and exteriors) are extremely dirty
• Back wall behind service line is dirty
• Walls and floors are extremely dirty and stained with food debris
• Ceiling tiles observed stained, and water stains observed on ceiling tiles
• Vents on vent hood
• are extremely dirty and stained with grease and debris
• Air vent observed rusted and black in color

Restaurante Y Panaderia Mary, INC. – 52 | 3896 Macon Rd. Memphis, TN 38122

• Numerous priority violations observed regarding food contact surface sanitization, food separation and protection, proper storage of raw animal products, proper date marking, and proper handwashing
• Observed no employee health policy posted
• Employee observed wearing gloves, wiping down prep counter with sanitizer cloth. Then, not washing their hands or changing gloves after the task.
• Numerous heavily stained cans stored on the storage shelf inside storage room
• Raw chicken observed stored over raw beef inside the grill cooler
• Raw chicken observed stored over sauces in the cooler
• Raw fish observed stored over sauces in cooler
• Raw fish observed stored over bread and sauces in the cooler
• Numerous food items being held inside old dish liquid buckets
• Worn prep table cutting board with deep grooves and stains observed
• • Needs discarding and replacement
• Numerous cooked and prepared food items not properly date marked
• Missing internal thermometers inside coolers and freezers
• Unlabeled sauce bottles and food containers observed
• Buckets of frosting, cans of beans, and buckets of seasoning stored on the ground inside storage area
• Box of fruit and cases of drinks stored on the ground in the server area
• Wiping cloths stored on the kitchen counters
• Metal scoop used to scoop sugar inside sugar bins
• Clean coffee mugs and clean pots not properly inverted
• Boxes of plastic cups and lids stored on the ground
• Plastic cup used as a scoop inside salsa observed lying inside the container
• Employee observed wiping down the counter with a sanitizer rag, then not changing gloves or washing hands before preparing food
• Garbage cans observed being used to store sugar and flour
• Expired chlorine test strips present
• Observed food buildup inside the coolers and freezers
• Numerous bags of trash and boxes observed piled up at the back door
• Stained ceiling tiles observed throughout the establishment
• Damaged floor tiles observed near walk-in cooler
• Grease buildup observed on the vent hood vents

Yum’s Restaurant – 51 | 782 S Highland St. Memphis, TN 38111

• Multiple priority violations present: person in charge (PIC) demonstrated little to no knowledge, and Food Handlers classes are strongly recommended
• No employee health policy observed
• PIC had no knowledge of illness symptoms
• No handwashing sign, paper towels, or hand soap observed in the back of the kitchen
• Metal bowl observed sitting in the sink
• Brown lettuce observed inside the prep cooler on service line
• • Discarded
• Cooked chicken observed being stored inside raw chicken box inside the walk-in cooler
• • Cooked chicken was discarded
• Multiple pans of raw chicken stored next to pans of raw beef inside walk-in cooler
• Case of raw eggs next to the case of lettuce in the walk-in cooler
• White medium-sized cutting board in use in prep area observed with deep grooves and significant staining
• • Needs to be replaced
• Paper takeout menus used in place of wax paper under fried food items inside walk-in cooler
• No sanitizer observed in establishment during inspection
• Rice in rice cooker was reading 82 °F. PIC said it was made yesterday
• • Discarded
• No date marking systems in place
• Bucket of cement stored on bottom dry storage rack next to open bag of potato starch
• 2 cans of Raid roach spray observed inside napkin dispenser in the back of the kitchen
• Sheet pan of raw chicken observed thawing on drain board at 3-compartment sink
• Multiple containers of food items not labeled
• Gnats observed in the kitchen
• Side door observed open
• Foot items stored on the floor inside walk-in cooler
• Prep veggies observed being stored in open cans inside walk-in cooler
• Old sauce can used as a scoop inside the rice bin
• Interior of walk-in freezer and cooler is dirty
• No chlorine test strips available
• Racks and storage shelves are dirty
• Leak observed at hand sink on service line
• Walls and floors are extremely dirty
• Ceiling tiles stained and damaged in kitchen and lobby of restaurant
• Air vents are extremely dirty
• Grease buildup observed on vent hood

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