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Richmond and Columbia Counties’ Restaurant Inspections Revealed

Local diners enjoy safe dining experiences in Richmond County establishments.

News Summary

Recent restaurant inspections conducted by the Georgia Department of Public Health in Richmond and Columbia counties highlighted both the best and worst in local dining. Several establishments, like Agape Day Living and Burger King, passed with zero violations, while others, including Asian Wok, faced significant issues. This evaluation sheds light on the food safety standards across the region, encouraging residents to support establishments that prioritize health and safety in their food preparation. As inspections continue, diners are urged to stay informed about restaurant ratings.

Richmond and Columbia Counties’ Restaurant Inspections: Highs and Lows

In recent weeks, our local dining scene has gotten some attention thanks to the Georgia Department of Public Health, which has been busy carrying out restaurant inspections in Richmond and Columbia counties. From April 4 to April 10, these inspections have shed light on both the establishments serving up safe and delicious food and some that, well, need to step up their game.

Great News for Food Lovers!

First, let’s focus on the good news! Several schools and eateries passed their inspections without a single health violation. Now, that’s something to celebrate! Some of the standout spots include:

Agape Day Living, 1840 Phinizy Rd., Augusta
Burger King, 433 S. Belair Rd., Martinez
Dippin Dots, 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans
Explosion Catering, 113 E. Robinson Ave., Harlem
Freddy’s Frozen Custard, 109 Charlestown Way, Augusta
JH Moore BBQ & Catering, 312 Wiltshire Ct., Evans
Mason’s Shaken Lemonade, 1040 Newmantown Rd., Grovetown
Rao’s, 777 Jones Creek, Evans
Sticky Fingers Kettle Corn, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans
The Lobstah Joint, 101 Holiday Dr., Augusta
Vino & Kono, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans

And if you’re wondering which places scored high on their inspections, here’s the scoop: several well-known restaurants snagged impressive “A” scores during this inspection period. Some of the top performers appear to be:

Starbucks Coffee Shop, 421 S. Belair Road, Martinez, score 96
Papa John’s, 3449 Peach Orchard Rd., Augusta, score 96
KFC at Tobacco Rd., 4106 Windsor Spring Rd., Hephzibah, score 95
C & C Kitchen, 3950 Carolyn St., Augusta, score 94
Waffle House, 438 Belair Rd., Augusta, score 93
McDonald’s, 2508 Tobacco Rd., Hephzibah, score 91
Pizza Hut Carryout, 104 Harlem Grovetown Road, Grovetown, score 90

Oh No! Not Every Restaurant Made the Grade

However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for every restaurant. Some establishments didn’t quite make the mark, recording scores below 70, which is designated as a failing score. Notable mentions include:

Dunkin Donuts, 5225 Wrightsboro Road, Grovetown, score 88
Little Caesars Pizza, 3697 Windsor Spring Rd., Hephzibah, score 83
Asian Wok, Windsor Spring Rd., Bldg. B104, Hephzibah, score 57

With all of that said, it’s important to keep in mind what inspectors found during these evaluations. Some locations faced issues ranging from live roach activity to improper food storage, which understandably raises a few eyebrows.

Let’s Not Forget Prior Inspections!

As a way to celebrate those who aren’t just scraping by but really shining, it’s worth mentioning that previous inspections between March 28 and April 4 revealed other places that flew through with no violations. Some of these include:

Kinja Sushi, 516 Shartom Dr., Augusta
Subway, 1569 Walton Way, Augusta
Arby’s, 2733 Washington Rd., Augusta
Starbucks, 228 Robert C. Daniel Sr., Augusta

Meanwhile, some restaurants that stood out that week included:

Krystal, 1555 Walton Way, Augusta, score 99
Sue Reynolds Elementary School, 3840 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta, score 99
T.W. Josey High School, 1701 15th. St., Augusta, score 98
St. Mary’s on the Hill School, 1220 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta, score 97

As the inspections continue, it’s always advisable to check ratings before heading to your favorite food spots. Happy dining, folks! Stay safe and enjoy your meals!