Kitchen Cops 12/27/07

Two Wilmington restaurants have work to do after a visit from health inspectors, while two others have made big improvements. We begin with a regrade at Asian Buffet on Carolina Beach Road. Violations last time included five points off for raw meat stored the wrong way and dented cans in storage. And employees needed to work on handwashing. This time cooked shrimp was stored below raw shrimp and there were some problems with food temperatures. Still a big improvement from 81.5 to 97. Another regrade at Hibachi Express on South College Road, where during the last visit an inspector saw a worker drop broccoli on the floor and put it back in a container leading to a score of 85.5. This time around just a couple of violations and the inspector said "much improvement noted." Hibachi Express improves to 97. Now to the low performers starting with Ray's Restaurant on Shipyard. There were problems with the way onions, soup and dry goods were stored. Lots of things needed cleaning. And lots of things needed fixing. 81.5 for Ray's. And finally to Golden Corral on South College Road. Five points off for soiled multi-use food containers, cutting boards in poor repair and utensils need washing. Soup, liver, tuna, potatoes, chicken salad and pasta were all at the wrong temperature. And the hot water wasn't hot enough. 83 for Golden Corral. Two Wilmington restaurants have some bragging to do after a visit from the health inspector. Big Thai at 1001 North 4th Street scored a perfect 100 plus two points for workers passing a food safety course and a total of 102. And a little cleaning is needed at The George on the Riverwalk downtown. A half point off and a score of 99.5.