Flies, broken thermometers cost points at 3 failing restaurants

By DON DARE
Food for Thought Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Three Knoxville area restaurants failed their most recent health inspections, and they had some unusual problems.

A restaurant inspection score is a snapshot of conditions at the time of inspection. It only takes four or five critical errors plus some minor ones to fail.

Lowest Scores:

Tokyo Hibachi and Sushi at 9420 S. Northshore Drive - Grade: 66

The Knox County Health Department considers a score below 70 as unsanitary.

The inspector found a fly swatter on top of a salt container.

Ice was found in warm water because the ice machine had broken.

The inspector found an unlabeled bottle of cleaner. It needed to be identified so employees would know what they're using.

Bug spray was stored with food service equipment. It should have been stored separately to avoid possible errors.

Tokyo Hibachi and Sushi was reinspected and received an 85.

Willy's Bar & Grill at 2600 Whitten Lane - Grade: 67

The rear door was propped open, and there were flies in the kitchen.

The inspector couldn't find any soap at either of the employee hand sinks.

The floor was dirty, and boxes of food were stored there. The boxes belonged on shelves.

China Pearl at 115 Brooklawn Street - Grade: 69

Beef tips were at 49 degrees, but 41 and below is the safe temperature to kill the growth of bacteria. The inspector also found that the thermometer for that cooler was broken.

A bag of sugar was on the floor in the freezer.

An employee's cup had no lid or straw. Those are needed so the drink doesn't accidentally splash in food being prepared.

Highest Scores:

Volunteer Princess at 956 Volunteer Landing - 95

Mer-mer's Bakery at 617 N. Gay Street - 95

Snappy Tomato at 11507 Kingston Pike - 93

Marco's Pizza at 12552 Kingston Pike - 92

Public House at 212 W. Magnolia Avenue - 92

Pancho's Mexican at 7509 Chapman Highway - 91

Puelo's Grill at 110 Cedar Lane - 90