South Carolina health inspectors found a host of violations at restaurants across the Midlands in June, from roaches and flies in kitchens to mold and food being stored on floors.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control each month releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments across Lexington and Richland counties.
Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in June.
Brooklyn Express Pizza and Pasta on Broad River Road in Richland
Brooklyn Express was inspected on June 10 and got a 70% C grade.
An inspector observed an employee handle ready to eat food items with bare hands and an employee not wash hands between points of contamination. Also observed was chicken wings and Italian sausage being thawed at ambient temperature under a hand washing sink.
Sheet pans were seen not adequately washed, rinsed and air-dried before placing on a prep table for use.
Certain foods were seen not being held at proper temperatures.
A required followup inspection was held June 13 and the restaurant got an A grade.
Liberty at the Lake on Marina Road in Richland
Liberty at the Lake was inspected on June 20 and got a 77% C grade.
An inspector observed fly activity throughout the kitchen area. Also observed was waste water running across the floor in the lower bar when the hand sink was used.
Multiple employees were seen handling ready to eat food with bare hands. Dishes with food matter and pans with plastic reside were seen stored as clean. Also, certain foods were not being held at proper temperatures.
A required followup inspection was held on June 28 and the restaurant got an A grade.
US Wings & Deli on Broad River Road in Richland
US Wings & Deli was inspected on June 21 and got a 75% C grade.
An inspector observed roaches and flies in back of the dish line area. Also observed was two bus pans of wings subject to time not discarded from the previous day.
Grease was seen dripping from the hood system to the prep area below. Grease accumulation, encrusted food debris and buildup were seen on equipment and shelving throughout the kitchen areas.
A required followup inspection was held on June 27 and the restaurant received another C grade. Another required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Waffle House on Garners Ferry Road in Richland
Waffle House was inspected on June 21 and got a 75% C grade.
An inspector observed flies at the back of the building and the front of the building. Also observed was expired milk within reach in the cooler at the cook/make line.
An employee was seen cracking eggs, placing raw meat on the griddle without proper hand washing. Also seen was water buildup at the cook line under the counter refrigerator and the dishwasher in poor repair.
A followup inspection was held on June 22 and the restaurant got another C grade. Another required followup inspection has not yet been held.
El Mariachi on Sunset Boulevard in Lexington
El Mariachi was inspected on June 29 and got a 70% C grade.
An inspector observed white, fuzzy growth on squash in the walk-in cooler. Also observed was 14 large containers of food stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler.
An employee was observed handling raw fish, then proceeded to touch ready to eat foods. Also seen was corn husks in a pot sitting in the hand sink, along with a vegetable peeler and gloves. Raw meats and shell eggs were stored above salsas in the walk-in cooler.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Tacos Locos & Grill on N 12th Street in Lexington
Tacos Locos was inspected on June 27 and got a 74% C grade.
An inspector observed flies throughout the kitchen and prep areas. Also observed was boxed food and open foods stored on the floor in the walk-in freezer, along with tamale husks stored directly on a dirty surface.
Plates stored and ready to use to serve food were seen with food debris and greasy buildup. White, pink and brown buildup was seen inside the ice machine.
A required followup inspection has not yet been held.
Waffle House on Piney Grove Road in Lexington
Waffle House was inspected on June 14 and got a 76% C grade.
An inspector observed employees not washing hands between points of contamination with glove changes, when switching from handling dirty dishes to clean and between handling raw food and ready to eat food. Also observed was certain foods not being held at proper temperatures. Soiled crates were seen being used to hold clean lids. Also, several cases of product were seen on the floor throughout the back of the building and dry storage area.
A required followup inspection was held on June 22 and the restaurant got an A grade.