Dirty Appliances, Untrained Employees: August Health Scores

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — The Jefferson County Department of Health inspected 167 local restaurants in August, and of those, only three eateries failed to score above an 85 on their inspection.

The most common offense by many of the restaurants who score poorly is failure to train employees on food handling guidelines. This was the case for Mellow Mushroom in 5 Points South (which also scored below 85 last month in an inspection), and for Wing Out Sports Grill in Ensley. Both of those restaurants also failed to post the score of their previous inspections in plain view.

Other offenses included failure to maintain food at a proper temperature, and for dirty appliances, as was the case with Cocina Superior in Brookwood Village.

The restaurants that received a score of 85 or below in August are:

Mellow Mushroom; 1200 20th Street South, Birmingham (83): Points were deducted for failure to provide food safety training for all food handlers as required; failure to post current inspection report in a conspicuous place inside the food establishment; internal temperature of the chicken wings, meatballs, hummus, and mozzerella cheese stored (overnight) inside the salad prep cooler above proper temperature; failure to provide a chemical sanitizer used in mechanical ware washing equipment; door gaskets on the pizza prep cooler are in bad repair; failure to store wet wiping cloths in the appropriate sanitizing solution.

Cocina Superior; 587 Brookwood Village, Homewood (83): Points were deducted for failure to maintain food at proper temperature; accumulation of residue on beverage nozzle guns; back up from drain in the dishroom; no handwashing signs in restrooms; grease receptacle left open; vent hood filters in bad repair.

Wing Out Sports Grill; 1806 Avenue V, Ensley (76): Points were deducted for failure to provide food safety training for all food handlers as required; employee personal drinks on prep table; failure to post current inspection report in a conspicuous place inside the food establishment; failure to store food at proper temperature; failure to provide country of origin for farm-raised or wild-caught fish to the consumer; scoop in fountain drink ice bin; heavy grease residue on middle fryer; failure to provide appropriate, readily accessible thermometers for all make tables, coolers and hot holding units; failure to maintain dishwashing equipment in a state of good repair; hinged foam food containers on floor in office and in dry storage room; failure to provide paper towels and soap at all handwashing sinks; missing ceiling tiles in public unisex restroom; damaged light shields in food prep area.