Flies buzzing raw meat, debris all over & more in Greenville area restaurants with worst May scores

Flies buzzing around raw meat, debris everywhere, coats on top of bread — these are the conditions state inspectors found in Greenville County restaurants in May.

Three restaurants in Greenville County’s southern Golden Strip received C markings, the worst according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control guidelines.

The vast majority of the 333 restaurants inspected, both routine and follow ups, were given A ratings, with 27 marked B.

La Estrella Bakery in Simpsonville received a 71 rating on May 22.

Among the observations were a build up of debris throughout the facility, employees putting on new gloves without washing hands and an employee touching tortillas with bare hands. An employee with long fingernails handled tortilla dough without wearing gloves.

Raw proteins were thawing on a sink, improper washing of dishes and improper storage of beans and salsa were observed. Plastic grocery bags used to store food in the standup freezer in the kitchen.

Tato’s Pizzeria in Mauldin was given a 77 on May 29 for ice buildup touching unprotected food, raw beef stored on top of cooked beef and a knife and pizza cutter not cleaned for hours.

Soup, cooked beef, cooked chicken and salsa were not held at the correct temperature, which were repeated violations.

Flies were seen around unwrapped food.

Waffle House in Fountain Inn was given a 72 on May 14 for improper handwashing, debris in an ice machine, dishwasher temperatures too low and chili, grits and pancake batter not held at the correct temperature.

There was a can of Raid in the office and “live insect pests” were present. Trash cans overflowed and employees stored their coats and handbags on top of bread on the bread rack.