The following restaurant inspections were conducted by the Lenoir County Health Department:

Wendy's

2400 North Herritage Street, Kinston

Score: 95

Inspection date: 3/18

Observations:

Prep line on drive-thru side is not holding proper temperature;

Flies in kitchen;

Wet wiping cloths laying on/beside front hand sink - shall be in sanitizer between uses;

Dishes were stacked wet;

Broken/burnt plastic containers need to be removed from surface due to not being completely smooth and easily cleanable;

Bottom of small reach-in cooler needs cleaning;

Piece of trim missing above half-wall in drive-thru area;

King's

405 East New Bern Road, Kinston

Score: 90.5

Inspection date: 3/19

Observations:

Employee observed using water from hand-sink to make hushpuppy mix;

Thermometer used to temp food without being washed;

Collards, meatloaf, ribs and chili bean soup from the night before were not properly cooled;

Clam chowder, hamburger steak, peas and rice above 45F - cold hold temperature is 41F or less;

Thermostat in chicken walk-in was not adjusted properly;

Clean dishes stored above below and above dirty dishes on shelves/wall rack;

Gaskets on reach-in cooler and on walk-in doors (have) rusty hinges, and rust on inside of ice machine;

Shelving needs additional cleaning;

Cracked/missing floor tiles need to be replaced;

The Boiler Room

108-B North Street, Kinston

Score: 95

Inspection date: 3/21

Observations:

Employee used bare hand (while) making hamburger (bun);

Stainless dishes, cutting boards, utensils, and some plates were visibly dirty;

Pork in well was 116F (had been refilled after lunch) - ensure that TCS foods (foods that need time and temperature control for safety) are reheated to 165F prior to hot holding;

Some cold-hold temperatures were 42-45F - cold hold temp is 41F;

Pulled pork in walk-in was not dated properly;

Shelving under prep tables are rusty;

Small speed rack and inside/outside of equipment needs additional cleaning;

Baron and The Beef

1631 U.S. 70 East, Kinston

Score: 92

Inspection date: 3/26

Observations:

Employee did not wash hands before handling food contact surfaces and stirring food;

Some plates and knives were visibly dirty;

Chowder, potatoes, and prime rib were not date marked;

Roaches under reach-in cooler;

Boxes of potatoes and onions stored on the floor - store food six inches above floor to prevent contamination;

Shelving, outsides of equipment, and handle on microwave and prep unit handles need additional cleaning;

Floor drain in closet is clogged - waste water backing up into kitchen from ice machine kitchen hand sinks;

Gap between wall and outlet beside oven in prep room needs to be filled/covered;

Floors under/around equipment and wall beside grill need additional cleaning;

Golden Corral

4468 U.S. 70 West, Kinston

Score: 91.5

Inspection date: 3/28

Observations:

Some stainless dishes and utensils were visibly dirty;

Burgers, burritos, BBQ pork, and potatoes on buffet and warmers were less than 135F - shall be 135F or higher;

Some produce walk-in temperatures were 42-45F - cold hold temperature is 41F or less;

Food on speed rack was 50F;

Ceiling above prep sink is leaking into sink;

Utensil bins need additional cleaning;

Shelving, inside refrigeration units, and outsides of equipment need additional cleaning;

Several tiles are broken/missing;

Falling Creek Service Center

5744 U.S. 70 West, La Grange

Score: 94.5

Inspection date: 4/1

Observations:

No certified food protection manager present;

Some temperatures in display unit (sausage dogs) and in new steam well (sausage dogs) were less than 135F;

Some food in prep unit was 45-49F - top of unit air temperature was 44F and bottom was 42F - cold hold temperatures is 41F;

Dumpster lids left open;

Some floor tiles were cracked/broken;

Waffle House

601 East New Bern Road, Kinston

Score: 92.5

Inspection date: 4/2

Observations:

Dish machine was not sanitizing properly;

Some temperatures were 42-45F - cold hold temperatures is 41F;

Wet wiping cloths laying on carts - shall be stored in sanitizer between uses;

Gasket on reach-in door in middle in disrepair;

Waffle irons being cleaned at back of kitchen and sprayed off in mop sink - food contact surfaces shall not be washed in this area;

Refrigeration units (inside and out), cabinets, shelving, coffee mug trays, and dish machine area needs additional cleaning;