By DON DARE
Food for Thought Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Two area restaurants received failing health inspection grades this week.
It's been months since a restaurant received such a low inspection score or been reported with so many critical problems, including violations that can potentially make customers sick.
Lowest score:
Meksiko Cantina, 120 West End Avenue - Grade: 53
Below 70 is considered unsanitary by the health department.
The inspector found the temperature of chicken at 85 degrees. The holding temperature must be above 140 or below 41 degrees.
85 degrees is perfect for the rapid growth of bacteria. Fifteen pounds of chicken had to be thrown out.
The inspector watched the cook touch a dirty rag and then grab a tortilla without washing his hands.
Ice and food were found in a handsink, but the ice belongs in the freezer and the food in the refrigerator.
You don't leave food out at room temperature to either thaw or cool down.
Finally, dirty utensils were stored with clean utensils and unprotected tortillas weren't wrapped in anything. They were found in a dirty bag.
Other low scores:
Hardee's, 3718 Western Avenue - Grade: 66
The inspector writes trash from Hardee's surrounded the restaurant parking lot.
There was so much trash that rat and mice droppings as well as spiders were found next to the dumpster.
The place was ordered to be cleaned up.
Top scores:
- Cajun Café and Grill, West Town Mall - Grade: 98
- Rosa's Bakery, 7635 Old Maynardville Highway - Grade: 98
- Bojangles, 505 Lovell Road - Grade: 98
- Krystal, 2815 Broadway Street - Grade: 97
- All Occasions Catering, 922 North Central Avenue - Grade: 97
- Panera Bread, 11361 Parkside Drive - 97
- Buddy's Bar-B-Q, 4500 Broadway Street - Grade: 96
- Wendy's, 3000 Broadway Street - Grade: 95
- The Grill at Highlands Row, 4705 Old Kingston Pike - Grade: 95
- Holly's Eventful Dining, 5032 Whittaker Drive
These are some terrific grades in the 90s compared to that 53 at Meksiko Cantina.
6 On Your Side reporter Don Dare reports on the latest restaurant inspections by the Knox County Health Department every Thursday on 6 News at 6:00.
