By DON DARE
Food for Thought Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A West Knoxville restaurant received one of the lowest grades this year when Knox County health inspectors made their rounds.
The lowest scoring restaurant in this report also failed its inspection two months ago. It was inspected again after some complaints and it's clear why customers were concerned.
Low scores:
Tokyo Hibachi and Sushi at 9420 Northshore Drive - Grade 44
The Knox County Health Department considers a score below 70 as unsanitary.
The inspector found flies buzzing around and beetle larvae in the buttermilk pancake mix.
The staff was using dirty flour mix in the fryers.
The back door was propped open.
There was no sanitizer running through the dishwasher.
At the three-compartment sink where pots and pans are cleaned, rinsed and sanitized, the section with sanitizer had food particles in it.
There was moldy food in the walk-in cooler, which wasn't working.
Tokyo Hibachi and Sushi will be re-inspected soon.
Garrett's Downtown Deli at First Tennessee Plaza, 800 S. Gay Street - Grade: 64
The inspector saw a kitchen worker use a dirty towel to wipe the counters.
An employee didn't properly wash his hands after touching his hair and equipment.
There was food debris in the sanitizer section of the three-compartment sink.
The deli was re-inspected and the new grade is a 78.
Little Caesars at 2800 Magnolia Avenue - Grade: 67
There were dead bugs on the kitchen floor.
Bags of flour were stored under the wall mounted soap dispenser.
Highest Scores:
Five Guys Burgers and Fries at 10922 Parkside Drive - 97
Subway at 3105 Alcoa Highway - 95
Lunchbox Cafe at 2250 Sutherland Avenue - 93
Great American Cookies at West Town Mall, 7600 Kingston Pike - 92
Starbucks at 7803 Montvue Center Way - 91
Newly-opened Chuy's Tex Mex at 9235 Kingston Pike - 90 - first time on the highest scores list
