Here's how this iconic downtown Augusta eatery scored 56 on its latest health inspection (2024)

The Georgia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Section, conducts regular restaurant inspections to help keep residents and visitors safe.

The following is a list of restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that have been inspected between Aug. 2 and 8, accompanied by their scores and, in some cases, the health infractions that lowered those scores.

Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. A few more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

Perfect score

Here are food and drink establishments in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed recent food-service inspections between Aug. 2 and 8 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

A-Town Wings, 1640 Walton Way

Arby's, 1813 Gordon Hwy.

Aromas Italian Grill, 1452 Walton Way

Luna 2 Pizza, 3763 Martinez Blvd., Martinez

Place at Martinez, 409 Pleasant Home Rd.

PruittHealth Creekside, 2021 Scott Rd.

Rita's Mobile Unit, 3763 Martinez Blvd.

Windsor House Assisted Living, 4275 Owens Rd., Evans

Getting warmer

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between Aug. 2 and 8, followed by their scores:

Bojangles, 2715 Peach Orchard Rd.: 98

New China, 5112 Wrightsboro Rd., Ste. A, Grovetown: 96

Chicken Fingers, 4108 Evans to Locks Rd., Evans: 96

Cook Out Peach Orchard Road, 3012 Peach Orchard Rd.: 95

IHOP, 3125 Peach Orchard Rd.: 94

Bojangles, 3705 Mike Padgett Hwy.: 94

Hello Poke, 1141 Agerton Ln.: 92

Coming in low: Mexican restaurant in Augusta rated 56 for multiple repeat violations

Not quite done

Here are restaurants in Richmond and Columbia counties that posted the lowest recent food-service inspections between Aug. 2 and 8, followed by their scores and, where available, inspectors' comments. Scores of 70 and below are considered failing:

Riverwatch Cinemas, 832 Cabela Dr.: 89

Inspector's comments:

• "Observed diced chicken on the prep top cooler with a "7/15" prep date label. Label food appropriately with both prep and discard by dates. Remove labels when needed and apply new label to reflect the current food product in the container. Repeat violation."
• "Observed employee in main kitchen area prepping food without proper hair restraint. Have employees utilize hair restraints during active food prep."
• "Observed spoon stored in marinara on prep top cooler. Observed scoop stored in sugar container. Store scoops outside of food product itself. Employee did remove spoon from inside marinara. Corrected on-site."
• "Observed wet nesting of stacked plastic containers. Repeat violation. Allow dishes to properly air dry prior to stacking."

McDonald's 27526, 3444 Mike Padgett Hwy.: 88

Inspector's comments:

• "Observed build up in the ice maker. Clean ice maker."
• "Observed sliced tomatoes in reach-in cooler being held past discard date. Throw away food after discard date has passed."

Waffle House 645, 1202 George C. Wilson Dr.: 87

Inspector's comments:

• "Observed pink & black buildup inside the bulk ice machine. Observed black buildup around the drink machines. Clean the ice machine and all drink machines. Increase cleaning frequency to limit buildup."
• "Observed an employee wearing a watch during active food prep. No jewelry can be worn on the arms & wrists during active food prep."
• "Observed cups wet stacked in the main kitchen. Allow dishes to properly air dry."
• "Observed food debris buildup on equipment and floors. Clean all equipment and floors. Increase cleaning frequency to limit buildup."

China Kitchen, 3451 Peach Orchard Rd.: 86

Inspector's comments:

• “Observed container in walk-in cooler and reach-in cooler missing prep and discard dates. Put prep and discard dates on food not in original container.”
• “Observed containers with no common food name. If food cannot be recognized (it) must have common food name. Repeat violation.”
• “Observed personal items in prep area. Personal items need to be kept in designated area.”
• “Observed scoop handle resting in food. Handles need to be kept out of food.”

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 2175 Gordon Hwy.: 83

Inspector's comments:

• "There was no documentation on Employee Illness Reporting (person in charge was given form). Make copies of form and have every employee working in kitchen sign."
• "Provide single use towels at all handwash stations."
• "Third compartment of three compartment sink did not have minimum of 150 ppm quat sanitizer. Self dispenser tube had air bubble dispenser. Add sanitizer by hand to provide 150-400 ppm quat or equivalent; test with test strip.
• "Observed butter at 44 F in reach in cooler, waffle batter at 45 F in reach in cooler."

Benton House of Augusta, 204 Frazier Ct.: 82

Inspector's comments:

• "Observed black and slime like buildup inside the bulk ice machine in the main kitchen. Clean the ice machine. Increase cleaning frequency to limit buildup."
• "Observed sour cream at 48 F inside the reach-in-cooler in the main kitchen. Maintain cold held time/temperature control for safety foods at 41 F or below."
• "Observed scoop improperly stored w/ handle in sugar in the small kitchen. Store scoop/scoop handle outside of food the prevent contamination."
• "Observed clean dishes wet stacked on the drying rack in the main kitchen. Allow dishes to properly air dry before stacking."
• "Observed mop sitting on the floor in the main kitchen. Store mop hanging to air dry."

Lokos Tacos 2, 235 Boy Scout Rd.: 80

Inspector's comments:

• "Observed raw beef stored uncovered next to cooked food items in reach-in cooler below grill. Repeat violation. Cover all food in storage. Move raw foods away from food that is cooked and ready to eat."
• "Observed brown build up in ice machine. Clean food contact surfaces regularly."
• "Observed lettuce, carnitas, cheese, and pico de gallo cold holding above 41 on prep top cooler. Cold hold at 41 F or below. Remember food is to already be 41 F or lower when being placed on prep top cooler."
• "Observed condiment bottle stored inside lettuce on prep top cooler. Corrected on-site. Do not leave any source of contamination in ready to eat food. Person in charge removed condiment bottle."
• "Observed employees wearing jewelry on hands and wrists. Refrain from wearing jewelry on hands and wrists during food prep."
• "Observed wet nesting of stacked dishes. Allow dishes to properly air dry prior to stacking."

Sports Center, 594 Broad St.: 56

Inspector's comments:

• "Observed no ServSafe or food handler's certification in establishment. Obtain ServSafe certification as soon as possible."
• "Observed person in charge handle cash and touch other items before continuing to dice up cucumber without washing hands."
• "Observed no employee health reporting agreements detailing any notifiable illnesses. Obtain employee health reporting agreements at dph.ga.gov. Print out have all employee's sign."
• "Observed cheese and sour cream cold holding above 41 F. Maintain cold held foods at 41 F or below."
• "Observed bug spray stored on cabinet. Bug spray indicates it is not for commercial food establishment use. If pests are an issue, reach out to a licensed pest control operator."
• "Observed most recent inspection not posted. Post the most recent inspection in public view."
• "Observed scoop stored in bulk ice bin. Store scoops outside of food product itself."
• "Observed grease and food debris on equipment and floor. Clean."
• "Observed hole in wall in men's restroom. Observed hole in ceiling tile above reach-in cooler. Observed damaged ceiling tiles as well. Repair hole in men's restroom. Repair damaged ceiling tiles."
• "Observed dead fruit flies in bottom of reach-in freezer. Clean up dead pests."