By DON DARE
Food for Thought Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A West Knoxville steakhouse has the lowest health inspection scores this week.
This restaurant had several critical health violations that needed attention immediately as well as continued training for employees.
Lowest Score:
Texas Roadhouse, 120 Morrell Road near West Town Mall - Grade: 70
The health department considers a grade below 70 as unsanitary.
To begin with the inspector found prime rib that was not hot enough and chicken on the cook line that wasn't cold enough.
Heated food has to be 140 degrees or higher, cold food at least 41 degrees and below.
The inspector writes, he watched the cook wipe his hands on a dirty apron while he continued to handle food. You can't do that at restaurants for obvious reasons.
The inspector found the meat grinder dirty; it has not been sanitized.
In the ladies room, one of the toilets wasn't working.
Finally, in the kitchen, there were several plumbing problems that needed attention.
Again, 70 is a passing grade, but just barely.
The inspector returned to follow up on the critical violations. The new inspection grade is a very good 93.
Top scores:
Two mobile carts have the best grades this week.
- Bill's Dogs, mobile food cart - Grade: 100
- Pop Culture, mobile food cart - Grade: 100
- Papa Murphy's, 4409 Chapman Hwy - Grade: 96
- Chick-Fil-A, 540 E. Emory Road - Grade: 94
- El Ray Azteca, 3515 W. Emory Road - Grade: 92
- Cornerstone Bistro, 800 Cornerstone Drive - Grade: 92
- Sonic, 10704 Kingston Pike - Grade: 92
- Firehouse Subs, 10728 Hardin Valley Road - Grade: 92
- Lunchbox, 2250 Sutherland Avenue - Grade: 92
Unannounced health inspections are conducted every six months, but a spot inspection can be done at any time, especially if a customer calls the health department and alerts them to something potentially serious.
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.
