Kitchen Cops: 10/18/07

Three local restaurants got a second chance with health inspectors. But only two made improvements. Late last month The Kitchen on Carolina Beach Road scored an 82 thanks to violations including food stored improperly and a lot of cleaning needed. It looks like the staff did clean up, but they still need to make sure they're wearing hair restraints. Still an improvement to 94.5. The Pizza Hut on Oleander Drive in Wilmington also had a tough time last month. Seven violations including two five-pointers for food at the wrong temperature and items stored dirty. Most of that was cleared up for a reinspection last week and the flies are gone. Still a few problems, but an improvement from 83.5 to 93. Not all the second chances were successful. Last month Joe's Bar-B-Que in Shallotte scored an 83.5. Violations included food at wrong temperatures, containers that needed relabelling and cleaning needed. On October 9 a Brunswick County inspector returned and found many of the same violations and more. The inspector told the folks at Joe's to "work on all of the listed items before calling for a reinspection" as their score dropped to an 80. Four local restaurants scored well with health inspectors. Two Guys Grille on South College Road in Wilmington has some damaged items to replace. But the problems were not bad enough to warrant a deduction. A perfect 100 plus two points for workers passing a food safety course. A top score of 102 also goes to the Reserve at St. James in Southport. Also in Brunswick County, an inspector said, "Good job" at Little Bit Grill in Oak Island for a perfect 100. And back to new hanover county, the Jersey Mike's in Porters Neck also scored 100.