News Summary
Recent health inspections in Charleston have revealed concerning violations at several local restaurants, including mislabeling of fish and unsanitary practices. Kanji, Athens, Kiki’s Chicken, and Trotter Restaurant all received low grades but showed improvement after follow-up inspections. This news highlights the importance of health inspections in maintaining food safety standards as patrons continue to enjoy the vibrant culinary scene.
Charleston Area Restaurants Hit with Health Violations!
The wonderful city of Charleston is known for its rich culinary scene, but recent health inspections have unveiled some eyebrow-raising concerns at several local eateries. In February, health inspectors took a closer look at various restaurants and discovered a range of violations that have got folks talking.
Attention Kanji Lovers!
Unfortunately, the sushi spot Kanji took home the dubious honor of receiving the lowest grade last month, earning a 67 C grade during its inspection on February 4. So, what went wrong at Kanji? The list is long and quite alarming!
- To start, there were major issues with the menu’s integrity, including the misrepresentation of tilapia and escolar as yellowtail and white tuna.
- Yikes! An unlidded coffee was found uncomfortably close to the sushi cutting board and make table, which is definitely not ideal.
- It gets worse! The hand sink was blocked by cutting boards, making it practically impossible to wash hands properly.
- Dirty rice cookers and kitchenware were also flagged, and that’s not what anyone wants to hear.
- That’s not all! The sushi holding canister wasn’t being cleaned between uses, which is a huge red flag.
- And can you believe there was rice residue in the sushi container from the previous day? Talk about cross-contamination!
- Proteins like tuna, salmon, and crab weren’t kept at the proper temperatures, a big no-no.
- Containers of fish eggs, crab meat, and sushi fish were missing dates, making it hard to track freshness.
- There’s more! Food was stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler, which raises food safety concerns.
- Meanwhile, heads of cabbage were sitting on soiled shelving, and it gets even worse from here!
- Gloves being improperly stored on the cook line just adds to the issues.
- Last but not least, inspectors found grit, grime, and grease on equipment and sinks. Yikes!
Nevertheless, there’s some good news for Kanji! After a follow-up inspection on February 14, they redeemed themselves and received an A grade. So, it seems they are working hard to get things back on track.
Other Notorious Restaurants
But Kanji wasn’t alone on the list of underperformers last month. Athens also faced a tough evaluation, scoring a 74 C grade on February 26 after inspectors discovered lettuce in a soiled prep sink and expired food items kept improperly. However, a follow-up inspection brought them back up to an A grade, so they seem to be on the mend!
Then there was Kiki’s Chicken, which stumbled with a 75 C grade on February 3. The restaurant had issues like employees handling food with bare hands and undated sausage in the cooler. Fear not; they also achieved an A grade in their follow-up inspection.
Finally, the Trotter Restaurant found itself in hot water with a 72 C grade on February 26 due to unwrapped cut vegetables, moldy cheese, and improper food storage temperatures. Luckily, a subsequent check-up also awarded them an A grade.
What This Means for Diners!
With regular health inspections and public grading, Charleston’s dining scene remains on watch. While some restaurants have faced challenges, the turnaround shown in their follow-up inspections is encouraging. So the next time you’re out tasting the delicious offerings in Charleston, keep these grades in mind, and maybe check a menu or two!
Stay informed, and happy dining, Charleston!
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Additional Resources
- The State: Charleston Area Restaurants Faced with Health Violations
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- Charleston City Paper: New Agency to Administer Restaurant Inspections
- Google Search: Restaurant Inspections in Charleston
- The State: Local Restaurant Inspection Results
- Google Scholar: Restaurant Health Inspections
- The State: Restaurant Violations and Follow-ups
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Inspections
- Local News: Restaurants Excel During Inspections
- Google News: Restaurant Inspections Charleston
Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON
The CHARLESTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREcharleston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charleston, Charleston County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and the MOJA Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Museum, plus leading businesses in tourism and maritime industries that power the local economy such as South Carolina Ports Authority and the Charleston Visitor Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
