KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Restaurant health inspections were off schedule last week due to the snowstorm. A popular family-style restaurant in Knoxville received a low grade during a recent health inspection.
The grade is 70 at Olive Garden on 7206 Kingston Pike, in Knoxville. This is a passing score as any grade of 69 and below is considered failing.
Olive Garden, 7206 Kingston Pike, Knoxville — Grade: 70, Follow-up Grade: 92
First off, the inspector watched several kitchen workers wiping their hands on an apron when they changed gloves, which was the wrong procedure. To prevent the potential for food-borne illness, once kitchen employees remove their gloves, they’re required to wash their hands with soap and warm water, and then dry them.
When the inspector checked knives that were put away as being clean, however, they were dirty. Knives were also found being stored in the hand sink.
There’s more. Salad dressing in the cooler was out of temperature at 52 degrees, but 41 and below is the required cool temperature to prevent bacteria growth. Also in the refrigerator, no date marking was found on multiple ready-to-eat food items. However, the date of first use is required on certain refrigerated foods that must be discarded after seven days.
Finally, the inspector found wiping cloths, that are used to clean tables, were not stored in a sanitizer solution. They’re supposed to be in the solution to properly clean customer tables and tables where food is prepared.
The inspector returned to the Olive Garden on Kingston Pike. The original critical violations were checked and they were all corrected. The new re-inspected grade is 92.
Top Scores of the Week
- Gondolier Pizza, 1063 N. Cedar Bluff Rd, Knoxville — 100
- Cook Out Restaurant, 321 N Cedar Bluff Rd, Knoxville — 100
- Asia Kitchen, 8511 Kingston Pk, Knoxville — 100
- Pizza Hoss, 7664 Oak Ridge Hwy, Knoxville — 100
- Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina, 570 E. Emory Rd, Knoxville — 100
- Five Guys, 7531 Barnett Way, Knoxville — 100
- Five Guys, 815 Parkway, Gatlinburg — 100
- Long John Silvers, 2562 E. Morris Blvd, Morristown — 100
The grades represent management and their staff knowing and following health rules so the food you are served is wholesome.
