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Failing to wash hands, no hairnet. Macon restaurant fails routine health inspection

Becky Purser
·3 min read

Failure of a worker to wear a hair net, another to wash her hands and improper food temps contributed to a Macon restaurant failing its routine inspection in May.

Mrs. Winner’s Chicken & Biscuits at 2419 Pio Nono Ave. received a “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” with a score of 66 at its routine inspection May 19, according to what was reported in the state health department’s online portal Friday.

The restaurant bounced back with a 96 for an “A” for “food safety excellence” at its required followup inspection May 30.

Environmental health inspectors assign grades based on how many points are deducted from 100, with scores of 69 and below considered failing. Follow-up inspections are required when a restaurant fails its routine inspection and generally take place within 10 days.

”U” unsatisfactory compliance 69 or less
”U” unsatisfactory compliance 69 or less

Failing grade

At Mrs. Winner’s routine health inspection May 19, a state Environmental Health inspector observed a container of mac and cheese and a container of mashed potatoes in a warming cabinet below the required temperature, according to the inspection report.

The inspector also saw an employee take food orders at the drive-thru window and then began to prepare food without washing her hands as required, the report said.

The inspector also observed the person in charge of the restaurant frying steak patties without wearing a hairnet as required and while wearing a watch.

The restaurant also was reusing cardboard to catch grease while frying chicken. Also, the inspector found heavy food debris in both warming cabinets that were across from the hot holding units.

Additionally, the inspector noted that a warming cabinet door had a broken gasket, with duct tape being used to keep it closed.

Also, the inspector noted stained ceilings throughout the facility, caved-in ceiling tiles in the dining area and dish pit area, broken floor tiles, ice buildup on a walk-in freezer door, uncleaned food vents and grease buildup on walls and hood vents.

At prior routine inspections, the restaurant scored an 84 for a “B” on Oct. 31, 2022, a 93 for an “A” on June 30, 2022 and a 92 for an “A” June 7, 2021 based on what was reported in the online portal.

”A” food safety excellence score 90 to 100
”A” food safety excellence score 90 to 100

Other Bibb restaurant scores

Meanwhile, most other restaurants in Macon-Bibb County earned “A’s” on their routine inspections from May 1 to May 31, including several in downtown Macon that aced them with perfect scores of 100.

Just over 20 other Bibb restaurants earned “B’s,” while two restaurants received “C’s.

Perfect scores

  • The Bears Den, 1191 Oglethorpe St.

  • China Inn Restaurant, 3268 Vineville Ave.

  • Clovis & Quill, 350 Second St.

  • Dovetail, 543 Cherry St.

  • Famous Mikes of Macon, 524 Poplar St.

  • Grant’s Lounge, 576 Poplar St.

  • H&H Restaurant, 807 Forsyth St.

  • Hello Boba Cafe, 567 Plum St.

  • High Noon Brewing Company, 567 Plum St.

  • J&J Fish & Chicken, 4351 Pio Nono Ave.

  • M&M Sandwich & Pastry, 3045 Vineville Ave.

  • Nutrition For Tomorrow, 881 Wimbish Road,

  • Oliver’s Corner Bistro, 496 Second St.

  • Osaka Sushi and Hibachi, 1530 Mercer University Drive, Suite 600

  • Romo’s Pizza, 4123 Forsyth Road, Suite G

  • Rubix Cube at Smiley’s Flea Market, 6717 Hawkinsville Road

  • Subway, 833 Pine St.

  • The Brickhouse Pub & Grub, 458 Second St.

  • The Rookery, 543 Cherry St.

  • Tokyo Alley, 574 Mulberry St.

  • Vibez, 401 Cherry St., Suite A

  • Z Beans Coffee, 311 Cotton Ave.

Also included in the May inspection reports was the follow-up inspection for Subway at 630 North Ave., which failed its routine inspection in April. On May 4, restaurant scored a 96 to earn an “A” on its followup inspection.

An “A” is given for a score between 90 to 100 and denotes “food safety excellence.” A score of 80 to 89 is considered “satisfactory compliance” for a grade of “B,” while a “C” is given for “marginal compliance” based on a score of 70-79. A “U” for “unsatisfactory compliance” is given when a restaurant scores 69 or less.

Restaurant inspections are designed to protect public health. The Telegraph reviews inspection reports monthly and generally reports only the best and the worst scores.