By DON DARE
Food for Thought Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A flagrant health violation drops the health inspection grade for an upscale Knoxville restaurant.
Whenever kitchen workers prepare food, they have to remember to frequently wash their hands, especially if they come in contact with something that might be filled with bacteria, like a trash can.
It happened this week.
Lowest score:
Northshore Brasserie, 9430 Northshore Drive - Grade: 70
That's a passing grade, but there are critical violations.
For example, the inspector watched a kitchen employee touch items in the garbage can, then continue to prepare food without washing his hands first.
The inspector writes that she discussed hygiene rules with the kitchen staff.
Also, when the inspector checked the temperature of water at a hand basin, there wasn't any water, it hadn't been turned on.
Of course, soap and water are necessary for employees to properly wash their hands. The hot and cold water was quickly turned on.
Butter was found out of temperature. It wasn't at or below the required 41 degrees.
And a toxic cleaning agent was found on a shelf next to gloves used for food preparation.
All cleaning substances are supposed to be kept or stored in a separate area.
Again, the critical violations at Northshore brasserie were corrected on the spot.
Top scores:
- B&G All Occasion Catering, 7231 Tazewell Pike - Grade: 100
- Cracker Barrel, Strawberry Plains - Grade: 98
- Arby's, 6903 Kingston Pike - Grade 98
- La Rumba Restaurant, 4900 Chambliss St. - Grade: 98
- Pepper's Grill And Pizzeria, 7507 Tazewell Pike - Grade: 98
- Subway, 7335 Tazewell Pike - Grade: 98
- Sonic, 5003 Millertown Pike - Grade: 98
- China Wok Buffet, 5453 Washington Pike - Grade: 98
- Texas Roadhouse, 3071 Kinzel Way - Grade: 97
- McDonald's, 7402 Strawberry Plains Pike - Grade: 97
- Mooya's, 7301 Kingston Pike - Grade: 97
- Knoxville Pearl, 108 E. Jackson Street - Grade: 97
Many of the top-scoring restaurants serve lots of customers and those grades in the high 90s are excellent.
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.
