‘Strong odor’ found within this Triangle restaurant’s kitchen: Sanitation scores (Feb. 4)
The News & Observer publishes a weekly roundup of restaurant sanitation scores to keep you up-to-date on the health grades at Triangle dining spots.
Sanitation scores and their corresponding letter grades are used in North Carolina to assess restaurants’ adherence to rules and standards intended to mitigate and prevent the spread of food-borne illnesses.
You’ve likely seen sanitation grade cards at restaurants. The N&O previously explained what those scores mean and how they’re calculated.
Here are sanitation scores in Triangle counties for Jan. 28-Feb. 3.
Wake County sanitation scores
The Wake County inspection management system shows that 89 restaurants were inspected between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3.
▪ All restaurants received an A grade.
Search all Wake County restaurant inspections at wake-nc.healthinspections.us.
Durham County sanitation scores
The Durham County inspection management system shows that 43 restaurants were inspected between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3.
▪ All but two restaurants received an A grade.
▪ Two establishments received a B grade, with a score of at least 80% and less than 90%.
Canastas Chicken (5318 New Hope Commons Drive) in Durham received an 88 during a Jan. 29 inspection.
- The restaurant violated 19 standards. Six violations were corrected during the inspection.
- Raw chicken was stored above raw beef, seafood, salmon and shrimp in various coolers.
- Cooked beans and soup were not cooled properly.
- Cold-held food on the serving line was held at too warm of a temperature.
- Some food was stored on the floor, and there was an uncovered bowl of seasoning and an opened bag of powdered sugar on shelves.
- The restaurant received A scores during its past three inspections in July 2024, May 2024 and November 2023.
Ichiban Hibachi Supreme Buffet (2000 Avondale Drive) in Durham received an 85.5% during a Jan. 29 inspection.
- The restaurant violated 19 standards. Eight violations were corrected during the inspection.
- Corn containers were kept on the floor in the walk-in cooler, and bags of seafood were on the floor under the cooking line.
- There was a “strong odor coming from food processor due to lack of cleaning,” the inspection report said.
- There were also issues with sinks not being used for their proper uses (hand washing or prep sinks).
- The restaurant received A scores in October and May 2024.
Search all restaurant inspections in Durham County at bit.ly/3pVQfpG.
Orange County sanitation scores
The Orange County inspection management system shows that 23 restaurants were inspected between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3.
▪ All restaurants inspected during this time period received an A grade.
Search all restaurant inspections in Orange County at bit.ly/3eQqpxc.
Johnston County sanitation scores
No Johnson County restaurants were inspected between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3, according to the county’s inspections database.
Search all restaurant inspections in Johnston County at johnston-nc.healthinspections.us.
Chatham County sanitation scores
The Chatham County inspection management system shows that 10 restaurants were inspected between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3.
▪ Eight restaurants received an A score.
▪ Two restaurants received a B score.
People’s Coffee (60 Mosaic Blvd.) in Pittsboro received an 86.5% on a Jan. 30 inspection.
- The coffee shop violated 14 standards. Six violations were corrected during the inspection.
- Chocolate milk in a cooler was observed at a temperature of 43 degrees, two degrees warmer than the minimum required temperature. Another crate of milk was stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler.
- Some food items kept in the prep cooler were not date marked.
- Single-use cups were used to dispense liquid eggs multiple times. The inspector also found a bowl of raw, shelled eggs at room temperature.
- Some employees handling food were not wearing hair restraints.
- People’s Coffee received A scores during inspections in July and April 2024.
Waffle House (65 Lowes Drive) in Pittsboro received an 88 on a Jan. 28 inspection.
- The restaurant violated 15 standards. Ten violations were corrected during the inspection.
- Some foods were stored at improper temperatures, either too hot or too cold.
- Opened milk containers did not have date markings.
- Bags of sugar with tops rolled down were not kept in sealed containers.
- A cup without a handle was being used to scoop chocolate chips.
- Clean utensils and coffee filters were exposed to contamination.
- The Waffle House previously received A scores during inspections in August and February 2024.
Search all restaurant inspections in Chatham County at bit.ly/3JfiHwq.
This story was originally published February 4, 2025 at 12:15 PM with the headline "‘Strong odor’ found within this Triangle restaurant’s kitchen: Sanitation scores (Feb. 4)."
