Moldy strawberries, grapes: This Macon restaurant fails its routine health inspection

Becky Purser

J. Christopher’s restaurant at 220 Starcadia Circle in Macon failed its routine health inspection in August but bounced back with a near perfect score at its required follow-up inspection nine days later.

The restaurant received a “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” with a score of 64 at its routine inspection Aug. 22 in part due to moldy strawberries and grapes in a walk-in cooler, according to what was reported in the Georgia Department of Public Health online portal.

The restaurant rebounded with a score of 98 to earn an “A” for “food safety excellence” at its required follow-up inspection Aug. 31.

In prior routine inspections, the restaurant earned a “B” with a score of 86 on July 21 of last year and a “B” with a score of 87 on Dec. 26, 2019.

State health inspectors assign grades based on how many points are deducted from 100, with scores of 69 and below considered failing.

Follow-up inspections are required when a restaurant fails its routine inspection and usually take place within 10 days.

”U” unsatisfactory compliance 69 or less
”U” unsatisfactory compliance 69 or less

Routine inspection

During J. Christopher’s routine inspection Aug. 28, a health inspector found “molded” strawberries and grapes in a walk-in cooler and “extremely discolored” avocado wedges on a prep line.

Also on a prep line, multiple foods were found to be above the required temperature for food safety, according to the inspection report. Those foods included feta cheese, diced chicken, blue cheese, pooled eggs, sliced tomatoes, chicken salad, shredded cheese, spring mix, diced onions and bacon.

Waffle and pancake batter was also found stored uncovered under a waffle maker instead of covered to prevent possible overhead contamination.

The health inspector also found multiple foods on a prep line without required date marking, splattered food residue along the walls, especially along the cookline of the main kitchen and food debris behind equipment in the kitchen.

The inspector also “observed damaged countertop at coffee station in dining area leaking water underneath counter into a catch bucket containing black water,” according to the report.

Also, the restaurant failed to display as required its Certified Food Safety Management certificate and was using non-commercial-grade equipment — such as a toaster and microwave — as required, according to the report.

Other Bibb restaurant scores

Meanwhile, more than 40 Bibb restaurants scored “A’s” on their routine health inspections for the reporting period of Aug. 1-31 , including a more than a dozen with perfect scores of 100. Less than a dozen earned “B’s” and none received a “C.”

These Bibb restaurants earned perfect scores:

  • Chick-fil-A, 1569 Bass Road

  • Fajitas Mexican Grill #2, 6012 Zebulon Road, Suite 101

  • Hotlanta Wings, 650 Shurling Drive

  • Little Caesars, 1502 Rocky Creek Road

  • McDonald’s, 1450 Rocky Creek Road

  • Nu-Way Weiners, 6016 Zebulon Road

  • Shane’s Rib Shack, 1625 Bass Road

  • Subway, 3004 Debra Ann Drive, Suite B

  • Taco Bell, 1604 Bass Road

  • Tropical Flava, 2396 Ingleside Ave.

  • Waffle House, 6220 Zebulon Road

  • Waffle House, 4065 Forsyth Road

  • Zoe’s Kitchen, 5080 Riverside Drive, Suite 323

Here’s how the scores are graded: “A” for a score between 90 and 100 that indicates “food safety excellence.” “B” for a score between 80 and 89, considered “satisfactory compliance,” and “C” for “marginal compliance’‘ for a score between 70 and 79. A “U” for ``unsatisfactory compliance” is given when a restaurant scores a 69 or less.

Restaurant inspections are designed to protect public health. The Telegraph reviews inspection reports monthly.

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