Nashville’s Restaurant Health Inspections: August Highlights
August has come and gone, and with it, a fresh batch of health inspections that has left some Nashville diners concerned about cleanliness in their favorite eateries. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, about 1,000 food trucks and restaurants are inspected monthly in Davidson County. In August, the average score for inspections hit a noteworthy 97 out of 100. However, not every establishment managed to score in the high range, and some experienced serious violations.
What Were the Low Scores?
A total of 14 restaurants in the Nashville area received initial inspection scores of 76 or below. These scores are alarming and indicate significant issues with food safety and cleanliness. Below are details on those restaurants, in alphabetical order, including inspection dates and notable issues discovered by health inspectors.
Restaurants with Concerns
- Casa Fiesta
Score: 74
Date of Inspection: August 1
Violations: Standing water in the prep cooler; hand sink without soap; raw steak at 47°F and raw chicken at 48°F.
Follow-up Score: 91 on August 12 - China Pan Buffet and Grill
Score: 63
Date of Inspection: August 29
Violations: Flies in the kitchen; a cockroach found on the dishwashing machine; same ladle used for raw chicken, beef, and shrimp. - Dynasty Super Buffet
Score: 73
Date of Inspection: August 29
Violations: Strong sewage smell in the kitchen; fly strips with dead insects over food areas; clean plates with food residue. - El Jaliciense Mexican Restaurant
Score: 74
Date of Inspection: August 14
Violations: Finger used to taste salsa; uncovered raw steak in the walk-in cooler; lack of thermometers in coolers.
Follow-up Score: 94 on August 14 - El Sombrero
Score: 66
Date of Inspection: August 27
Violations: Cockroaches noted on walls; dead insect fly strip above the margarita machine; boxes of tomatoes on the floor. - Galilee Restaurant
Score: 73
Date of Inspection: August 12
Violations: Raw chicken placed above ready-to-eat food; no soap available at hand sink; floors covered in cardboard and grease buildup.
Follow-up Score: 94 on August 26 - Hyatt Centric (kitchen)
Score: 72
Date of Inspection: August 13
Violations: Dirty ice machine; raw pork above cooked brisket; damaged cans in storage.
Follow-up Score: 97 on August 23 - Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk
Score: 76
Date of Inspection: August 27
Violations: Raw ground beef above gloves in walk-in cooler; no thermometer visible in cooler; cooked meats at 44°F. - Mellow Mushroom
Score: 68
Date of Inspection: August 6
Violations: Biofilm forming in ice machine; dirty knives on storage board; handwashing sink lacked soap and paper towels.
Follow-up Score: 94 on August 20 - The Pub Nashville
Score: 74
Date of Inspection: August 13
Violations: Thawing salmon in hand sink; salmon at 50°F; rusty ice machine inside.
Follow-up Score: 96 on August 20 - Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant
Score: 63
Date of Inspection: August 1
Violations: Flies throughout the kitchen; inadequate food safety knowledge among employees; walk-in cooler at 48°F.
Follow-up Score: 93 on August 8 - Thai Phooket Restaurant
Score: 76
Date of Inspection: August 21
Violations: Employee cooking without washing hands; raw chicken above cooked chicken; food boxes on the floor.
Follow-up Score: 95 on August 22 - Tin Roof
Score: 76
Date of Inspection: August 1
Violations: Biofilm dripping into large ice machine; deli meat thawing in standing water; raw chicken above deli meat. - West Coast Taco Shop
Score: 70
Date of Inspection: August 9
Violations: Dirty microwave and ice machine; cooked beef at 52°F; hand sink with no hot water.
Follow-up Score: 91 on August 20
Conclusion
The restaurant inspection scores from August show a mix of successes and concerning health issues. While the majority of restaurants maintained high standards, these low-scoring establishments indicate the need for continual vigilance and improvement. Customers are encouraged to be aware of inspection scores when dining out in Nashville. Full inspection reports can be found on the Tennessee Department of Health’s website for anyone looking for more details on restaurant safety.