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Do county restaurants pass food safety test?
Published Sunday, September 14, 2008
NATCHEZ — Take any restaurant and within minutes the eye will inevitably find that familiar piece of paper on the wall — the restaurant rating.
Whether taped up to wall or hanging in a frame, these pieces of paper containing letter grades say a lot about a restaurant.
But sometimes the grade doesn’t exactly reflect the quality of food and the facility once you take closer look.
The A, B and C ratings health inspectors give to restaurants hinge on many things, but to get an A, an establishment must not to be found to have any violations.
And violations can be pretty simple things.
Report Card
Click the following link to view all 2008 inspection reports of restaurants in Adams County. Restaurant Report Card
The Cock of the Walk has had a steady B rating over the past year under inspector Dorothy Matthews.
One line item that separated the restaurant’s rating from an A was the paddles they use to freeze water, Manager Erich Clark said.
The paddles are normally stored on shelves, but Matthews wanted them stored in buckets, Clark said.
The Malt Shop recently received a B also, and owner Gloria Neames said it’s the little things, too.
She said it could be as simple as a bottle of peroxide could be sitting on a counter and that could get points knocked off.
“It’s nitpicky things,” Neames said.
But anything that is notated as a critical violation can be immediately corrected on site under the supervision of the health department representative.
Neames said, like in the case of the peroxide bottle, that’s exactly what will happen.
“Whatever we need to do, we always do,” Neames said.
Other things that have to be kept in order are proper temperatures in fridges and freezers and a certain level of chemicals in dishwashers.
“It’s kind of like keeping the chlorine up in a swimming pool,” Clark said.
For temperatures, Neames said her restaurant was impeccable.
“All of our temperatures are excellent,” she said.
Director of Environmental Health at the Mississippi Department of Health Tim Darnell said another example would be having no paper towels at a hand sink.
In order to get a C rating, critical violations must be found that are incapable of immediate correction or the business owner refuses to make the correction.
“It is usually a construction item or an example of a classic item would be evidence of pests, bugs or rats — something that requires some attention on that part of the facility.”
Once given a C, the restaurant must fix the problem within 10 days and then they are re-inspected.
If the facility still does not correct the problems, steps are taken to suspend the owner’s operational license.
C’s are also issued if a restaurant has repeated a critical violation from one inspection to the next, even if the problem was corrected immediately on site.
The Malt Shop has never failed an inspection and Cock of the Walk has only failed once.
Clark said this is because when Matthews first started as an inspector, the handbook had changed, causing them to fail. But when she came back to review, Cock of the Walk had fixed everything.
“Once we got it taken care of it’s been fine ever since,” Clark said.
For a business to be shut down there would have to be an imminent health threat, Darnell said.
“If there is a severe pest infestation with evidence of the pests getting into the food, or if there was sewage backing up into the facility, that would be considered an imminent health threat,” he said.
Up until 2007, restaurants were inspected on a pass-fail system, though the standards were the same.
At that time, however, they decided to go with the graded system that’s currently in place.
“It was just to make it a little more consumer friendly,” Darnell said. “We use the same standards but people seem to understand it a little better.
“It also gives the facility an incentive to make an A. What we would like would be for us to walk into a facility and it not have any critical violations.”
The Malt Shop and the Cock of the Walk do everything they can to meet the standards.
“We try very hard to be in compliance,” Neames said.
And she never stops striving for the best.
“There’s always room for improvement,” she said.
Clark said there is a constant cleaning vigilance at his restaurant.
“Since we use so much grease we just have to clean constantly,” he said. “We just make sure everything is done up and kept up.
“It’s an ongoing process.”
Comments
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on September 14, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For the life of me, I do not understand why the Democrat cannot get names spelled correctly. If someone takes the time to interview with the paper, surely, the paper could get the correct spelling and print the correct spelling.
It is Eyrich not Erich!
Posted by Preacher246 (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have said this before... but the biggest problem with the Democrat is the people who work there aren't from here. They don't care about this place or the people who live here. They have no stake here. If they did they would pay attention to such things. It is just a stepping stone...
Posted by bayougranny (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The least they could do would be to give them a city map with the location and correct spelling of the streets. To comment on the two restaurants interviewed, Malt Shop I will eat at, Cock of the Walk only if I have no choice just don't look up or down.
Posted by theduke (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 1:20 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ITSME (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For the ones who did not know
http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/food/Facilit...
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thanks for posting that itsme. So even though the article makes it sound so hard to receive an A we know that there are places that have pulled it off.
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on September 14, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is it that only these 2 restaurants were mentioned? I think a list of all restaurants in the surrounding area and their grades would have been excellent in this article.
As for my opinion of the restaurants, I do not eat at the Malt Shop (I never remember about it being there) and I will eat at the Cock of the Walk whenever I can. I love that place!!!!
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think they should have interviewed someone that does have an A.
Posted by new2vilou (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mammy's Cupboard with an A. Fantastic! Great link itsme. Although, I'm not surprised by any of the scoring. The places I expected to see with less than average grades were as assumed.
Firered-- I too am interested as to why the Cock of the Walk and the Malt Shop were the only restaurants covered.
Posted by BHillyer (Ben Hillyer) on September 14, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A list of the inspection ratings for all of the restaurants, hospitals, schools and other food facilities are in a link in the story above. Click on the report card link above to find grades of any restaurant in Mississippi.
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on September 14, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And I'm willing to bet that wasn't in the actual paper edition. I don't think it was right to single out these 2 restaurants. I agree with a previous poster.. An "A" rated restaurant interview would've been nice as well. But oh well..
Thanks for the article. And the link... Although I didn't click on yours, I used the one ITSME posted...
Posted by JOMO (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what about food poisoning recentally at Ruby \Tuesday?
Posted by theduke (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Guess the truth is not for the squimish.
Posted by linenbreeze (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guarantee you Shoney's & the Chineses place across the highway from the mall have not passed inspection & had to remodle!
Of course like theduke this will be deleted
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There was a list in the paper edition, but many restraunts were left out like South China. East China and Bo-Bo's were there, can't remember if Shoney's was and don't have the paper handy. The link is better.
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on September 14, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Everytime I ever went to Shoney's I had hair in my food. It never failed. I tried ordering from the menu.. hair... Getting food from the bar... Hair.. I will NEVER eat there again. I was quite surprised at a few restaurants with "A's" and just as surprised with some restaurants who had "B's" and "C's"...
Posted by Dwntwnbear (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In response to today's headline " Making The Grade",
Ask anyone who's done it and they will tell you " The restaurant business is tough". The hours are long and unappreciated. Then there are all of the regulations and opinions on how you should have done it.
You fight the seasons. The rising food costs every time there's a news report about using corn to produce bio-fuel or just the heat when it's too hot for tourists to flock to south Mississippi in August. Oh, and then there's the occasional hurricane that puts you out of business for five days.
You throw away all of your food because you can't keep your coolers and freezers at the proper temperature without electricity. You manage to buy new food in hopes that you'll have business when the power does come back on and the Health Department inspects and gives you the O K to re-open just in time for the next hurricane.
You do these things because either you're crazy or you have a genuine love for the business. You take the punches.
What I don't understand is why The Natchez Democrat takes the philosophy; Kick 'em While They're Down? If you ask the paper to do a report on, Oh, I don't know, " Local Restaurants Now Open Following Storm " they will tell you they can't do that because it would be promoting a particular business and not fair to other businesses. I guess unless you are Bad Boy Buggies you are not newsworthy. I won't even get into the advertisers vs non-advertisers argument.
My mother always said "If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all" . It's hard enough to stay in business in this economy. If The Democrat feels that it is their responsibility to issue a public service announcement I would ask that first it be correct but also to remember; Timing Is Everything.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
UGH! I think I know which ones you are refering to. How positive and what proof?
Posted by overthehill60 (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wouldn't doubt it one bit. Give us a hint I sure don't want to go there!!!
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That Dept of Health link was scarry, I always thought the Cock of the Walk was dirty, now I know
Posted by theduke (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure after this survey alot of folks will be eating at home!
Posted by millsaps09 (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd eat at the Malt Shop, regardless of rating. Oh, and to give some comparison, the cafeteria at Millsaps College has a "B" rating, and although the food might not be considered gourmet, it's always been safe to eat.
I'd definitely like to read a full list of the restaurant ratings, along with the reasoning behind their letter grades.
Posted by NatchezBell (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Downtwnbear<< I too told my children that when they were young & older. It worked. I have sweet kids, grown adults that tend to get run over due to that philosophy but hey, this is America and we are what we are be it soft spoken or out spoken...but give me kind any day.
I found it strange that only 2 were singled out as well. Why isn't the online verison the same as the printed paper? I never knew it wasn't.
Most restrurants are quality controlled by their father company or main chain, whatever. Older people are used to the old ways and 1/2 the ones I know are scared to even eat in a restrauant today from all the old past ways; old grease, etc. It's not that way anymore and never should have been. They take pride in what they serve & how it's served & most of all...how it taste. To have a business it must be run with the highest princibles...to the food, then the employees and everyone must be 100% on the customers "A" list. It's just a shame they cater mostly to the Rich & famous & if you look down on your luck, you're treated less than a "D" on a list. I've seen it on a daily basis around here; when I was younger I worked at most of them or some one I knew did. As usual it's WHO you know or who knows you that always counts.
My husband managed the (little red haired girl) fast food restrauant for over 25 years and he has told me stories about customers that I couldn't believe. They would come in and order a cup of hot water; of course it's free, then proceed to the condiments and get catsup & crackers, mix them together and you have tomatoe soup w/ crackers; all being free. Then on the other hand; you'd have millionaires taking extra catsup, napkins, etc. because they were free & too cheap to buy them. So I ask you...whom would you look the other way for? Answer: Both of them or suffer the consequinces of either...hell from God or hell from the millionaire & all their friends; or worse...loosing customers. Life is always a choice and it's our duty to make the right ones. It's always hard to choose but the 10 commandments are easy to read...
Posted by getalifenatchez (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I will not mention restaurant names, but one of the dining establishments mentioned in the article is "filthy" (especially the dining room) with dust and cob webs galore.
The knick knacks on the walls are covered in dust! The food could be fabulous, but if the dining environment is not up to par, what is the kitchen like??? A lot of states give a numerical score for their restaurants, which would go a little deeper than a letter grade... Also, include any violations on the certificate and make it mandatory to have it posted in a visible location for diners to easily see before sitting down in any eating establishment....
Posted by Chase (anonymous) on September 15, 2008 at 1:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Free advertisement, huh?
It would be surprised if the Cock of the Walk and the Malt Shop didn't pay Hogan, Hood and Reynolds to mention them in this article.
Posted by humorme (anonymous) on September 15, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The inspectors at the Health Dept. are morons on a power trip. They go into establishments like they own the joint and for the time they are there they practicly do. Places like cock of ther walk that have been frying fish for 8hrs a day for the last 20 years are going to be dirty.
Posted by getalifenatchez (anonymous) on September 15, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Humorne: Frying fish (they are not open 8 hrs. a day) has little relation to the filthy conditions of the dining room... As one person stated above, just don't look up or down! Everything is DUSTY---layers, upon layers, not to mention just plain ole dirt and cob webs..... If you find this acceptable, please do the public a favor and never open a restaurant. I don't put too much faith into the Health Dept.'s
inspection program--- I see to many things that they overlook at many local dining establishments.... I've always been told to inspect the restrooms before eating at a restaurant---if they are dirty, so is the rest of the restaurant....
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on September 15, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am suprised that one of our school's cafeterias got a "C" for having insects/rodents in it and this is not reported. Taco Casa had several "C's" which suprised me also. That is an awesome link to the grades. You can tell from the categories in which they are not in compliance with to tell you whether it's a serious infraction or whether the HD is just nitpicking.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on September 15, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bureaucrats justifying their existence.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on September 16, 2008 at 2:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nasty nasty nasty. I prefer to stay home and have sardines, animal crackers, and raspberry kool aid.
Posted by fuzzmonkey (anonymous) on September 16, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm worked in the food industry for over 20 years. I've seen many restaurants that don't need to be open but never get a failing grade and many others that seem fine yet always have issues. In my opinion there isn't much consistency in what the Health Department does. There's too much is left up to the interpretation of the inspector. What may be wrong in one location may be fine in another depending on who does the inspection and what kind of relationship they have with the restaurant.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on September 16, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hardcorps...is that what flavor the liberal Kool Aid is?...I'd been wondering...LOL, sorry I couldn't resist.
Posted by happyreader (anonymous) on September 16, 2008 at 10:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just had to add a thought to this thread -
Don't get me wrong...I like my food prepared in a clean way, as much as anyone! But our nation has a reputation for being one of the most vigilant or hypersensitive about cleanliness/food safety, and it probably rubs off on all of us.
A couple of years ago, I was travelling overseas. I went into an ice cream shop and was offered a sample on one of those little spoons. I ate the sample, and the girl asked me if I'd like to try another. She asked me to give her the spoon back and (with little shmears of ice cream still on it that had just been in my mouth) proceeded to use it to scoop out another sample. Which means that she had been doing that for everyone else ahead of me, too. Gross, huh? But I survived. And the folks from other countries in my tour group didn't seem too ruffled by it - they kind of thought it was the norm.
Point being - I'm thankful that we have a health department looking out for us. We can all rest assured that, even with the less-than-perfect scores of some restaurants, we still have some of the cleanest food on the planet!
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