Atlanta Good Food category interest

What Now Atlanta presents our monthly health inspection column to inform diners and to help businesses find solutions to the common health and safety issues they may run into during operations.

Inspections take into account foodborne illness risk factors, defined as “food preparation practices and employee behaviors most commonly reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks.” Also considered in inspections are good retail practices, described as “preventive measures to control the introduction of pathogens, chemicals, and physical objects into foods.”

Some violations are corrected on site during the inspection, while others have a time frame by which they must be corrected. Please note that these scores are from particular inspections in June 2024 and may not represent the current health inspection status of an establishment.

Seven establishments in Fulton County received failing health inspection grades of “U” (69 points or less out of 100) in June 2024, an increase from the month before, which had only one failed inspection.

Agave Restaurant

Where: 242 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Date: June 18, 2024

Score: 69

Inspection notes: Food items delivered at improper temperatures; sauce stored with no covering; buildup on ice machine. (Click here for full report.)

Note: Owner Jack Sobel notes that 95 percent of infractions on the original score were corrected during the inspection. “We have corrected all necessary items and received a new inspection the following week. The new health inspector disagreed with many of the findings from before,” Sobel told What Now Atlanta via email. Sobel also notes that Agave has held an A rating for 23 years with two only B ratings in that time frame, and that Agave has never had a foodborne illness occur at the facility.

Bombay Lounge (Hyderabad Biryani andamp; Grill)

Where: 11705 Jones Bridge Rd, Suite C201, Johns Creek, GA 30005

Date: June 19, 2024, and June 27, 2024

Score: 66 (June 19) and 69 (June 27)

Inspection notes: Dented cans; buildup on outer surfaces of food storage containers and microwave ovens; flies in and around the bar area and kitchen. (Click here and here for full reports.)

Mama’s Soul Food Diner

Where: 3375 Roosevelt Hwy, College Park, GA 30349

Date: June 26, 2024

Score: 40

Inspection notes: Raw meat stored above ready-to-eat items; buildup inside refrigerator and counters; dead pest and rodent droppings observed; buckets of paint stored alongside food items; soiled pots and pans; employee not washing hands in between tasks; some items stored uncovered in refrigerator. (Click here for full report.)

Olympic Flame Restaurant

Where: 1740 Marietta Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Date: June 26, 2024

Score: 68

Inspection notes: Heavy pink slime buildup on ice machine; large amount of grease buildup and debris around facility; no thermometers. (Click here for full report.)

Red Snapper Fish andamp; Chicken

Where: 501 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354

Date: June 25, 2024

Score: 66

Inspection notes: Stained cutting boards; buildup on containers; scoops stored with the handle down; heavy grease buildup in fryers; grease and debris on floors and walls; flies in the kitchen. (Click here for full report.)

Salata

Where: 200 Bill Kennedy Wy SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

Date: June 11, 2024

Score: 67

Inspection notes: Boxes of chicken stored on floor in walk-in cooler; dented cans; food not stored at proper temperatures; scoops stored with handles touching food. (Click here for full report.)

Three Dollar Cafe Jr.

Where: 3710 Old Milton Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Date: June 4, 2024

Score: 50

Inspection notes: Dented cans; improper horizontal separation of raw animal foods and ready-to-eat foods; slime on soda nozzles; cleaning chemicals stored with plates and utensils; debris buildup on walls, ceilings, floors and kitchen equipment. (Click here for full report)

Note: Three Dollar Cafe Jr. CEO Joseph Woo tells What Now Atlanta that the restaurant has since been reinspected and earned an A score.

Fortunately, there are solutions to health and safety issues that dining establishments can encounter, especially when it comes to a dirty ice machine, a common reason for failed health inspections. What Now Atlanta is teaming up with Preferred Partner Easy Ice to help. Easy Ice offers commercial ice machine equipment subscriptions so business owners can be sure their beverages are crystal-clear of any issues. In addition to equipment, the brand offers preventive maintenance, repairs and a 24/7 ice machine service line.

Stay tuned for next month’s installment of failed health inspections. In the meantime, here are additional resources from Easy Ice to help keep your ice machine in good shape:

The Best Way To Clean Your Ice Machine

What is the Best Ice Machine Cleaner for Routine Cleaning?

How to Prevent Scale Buildup in Your Ice Machine

Ice Germs: Can Ice Cubes Get You Sick?

[Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with more information from Agave Restaurant owner Jack Sobel.]