Restaurant Health Scores: October's Inspections

BIRMINGHAM, AL - As October draws to a close, Patch looks at this month's restaurant health ratings. The Jefferson County Department of Health inspected more than 200 eateries in the county in October, and while the vast majority of these establishments scored well on their inspections, a handful did not make the grade.

Here are the Jefferson County eateries that scored an 85 or below on their October health inspection and why:

Cocina Superior; 587 Brookwood Village, Homewood (85): Points were deducted for failure to maintain proper temperature for food; failure to provide a chemical sanitizer used in mechanical ware washing equipment; accumulation of food residue and standing water in the bottom of the RI units; failure to provide effective insect and rodent control to eliminate their presence on the premises; failure to repair or replace ventilation hood systems and devices.

Costas Famous BBQ; 613 Springville Road, Birmingham (85): Points were deducted for failure to provide food safety training for all food handlers as required; food at improper temperatures; dirt and grime on racks in WI cooler; dirt and grime on exterior of equipment under vent hood; failure to allow utensils to air dry before stacking; dirt and grime on floors and walls behind and below equipment under vent hood; dirt and grime in floor and walls under dishwasher; debris in drain by dishwasher; food debris on floor in WI freezer; dirt and grime on floor throughout food prep areas.

Highlands Center for Nursing and Rehab, 2625 Laurel Oaks Road, Bessemer (85): Points were deducted for failure to provide food safety training for all food handlers as required; failure to keep cold foods at proper temperature; black slime mold inside ice dispenser; food debris under flat top grill, food spills on speed racks through out kitchen, milk spills inside milk cooler, residue on juice cooler under lid and inside can opener holder; dust buildup on ice machine vent.

Sneaky Pete's; 70 Green Springs Highway, Homewood (83): Points were deducted for failure to provide an employee health policy that states what actions are necessary when an employee has a specific symptom or diagnosis related to diseases that are transmissible through food; failure to provide clean-up procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events in a food establishment; failure to post current permit in public view; accumulation of food debris built up on the handle of the digital food thermometer; damaged gaskets on RI units, ice machines, chest freezer lids, damaged shelving, etc.; failure to maintain dishwashing equipment in a state of good repair and condition; sanitizer for the wiping cloths is not set up; box containing styrofoam cups is sitting on the floor; floor is in bad repair.

Rally's; 86 Weibel Drive, Midfield (81): Points were deducted for failure to provide an employee health policy that states what actions are necessary when an employee has a specific symptom or diagnosis related to diseases that are transmissible through food; failure to provide at least one designated person with certification from an accredited program within the past 5 years; failure to post current inspection report in a conspicuous place inside the food establishment (previous score was a 70); food on floor under shelves inside WI cooler and WI freezer; grease debris in cracks of drawer where fried food is stored; debris under hot holding station and spills on shelves; mildew stains on WI cooler door and gasket; several torn cooler gaskets and rusty shelves used to stored dry storage; trash on ground around dumpster; failure to provide effective insect and rodent control to eliminate their presence on the premises; extremely dirty floor drain and dusty ceiling vents above mop sink and ice machine.

Image via Shutterstock