Kitchen Cops 7/23/09

Health inspectors found just one low performer and five high performers in their most recent check of area restaurants. China Wok on Oleander Drive in Wilmington made our low performers list last fall. Since then, it had earned three A scores until last week. That's when an inspector found fried chicken stored on a wire shelf without a heat source. Chicken was stored on the floor, food was uncovered in the walk-in cooler and shrimp was left floating in a bowl of water. There were roaches under the meat prep sink. Utensils need to be stored in a clean location. And several things need cleaning. Fourteen violations in all and a score of 85.5 for China Wok on Oleander Drive. This week's highest score belongs to Smithfield's Chicken 'n Bar-B-Q near South 17th Street and College Road in Wilmington. No violations plus two points for workers passing a food safety course and a score of 102 for Smithfield's. The same top score belongs to the Subway on Ocean Highway in Calabash. Up the road to the Magnolia Greens Clubhouse in Leland. A half point off because some shelving needs some work. Add back the two-point bonus for a score of 101.5. The same score at The Reserve at St. James, where the food thermometer needs to be recalibrated often. Across the river to Wilmington and Winestyles on Military Cutoff. A perfect 100.