VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — Hook Fish and Chicken, located in Moultrie, got a 71 on its food service inspection on Monday, Aug. 24.
They got a total of 9 infractions; 6 were repeat infractions, 3 were new violations, and 3 of those 9 were corrected while inspectors were on site.
Below are the infractions that have a correct-by date of Monday, Aug. 31.
Observed a leak at the three-compartment sink faucet. Repeat Violation. Correct By: 08/31/2026Observed a collection of trash and grease on the concrete pad around the dumpster. New Violation. Correct By: 08/31/2026Observed several ceiling tiles missing or damaged throughout the kitchen. Repeat Violation. Correct By: 08/31/2026Observed missing floor tiles in back kitchen area. Repeat Violation. Correct By: 08/31/2026
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Since opening its doors in September 2022, Southern Shores Seafood in Valdosta has been serving up fresh seafood, rich family history, and an unwavering commitment to food safety. That dedication was recently recognized with a perfect score of 100 on their most recent food service inspection.
Owner Curtis Fellows, a third-generation restaurateur, says the restaurant business is in his blood.
“My grandfather and my uncles, actually, one of my uncles had a restaurant there in Valdosta at one time called Crystal River Seafood, and it was in the same location that we’re actually at now,” Fellows said. “This is all I’ve done since I was in the sixth grade.”
While Fellows oversees the brand, his business partner Christopher Swisher—whom Fellows describes as being “like a brother”—heads up the Valdosta location. Swisher has worked alongside Fellows for approximately 20 years.
Overcoming Inspection Anxiety
For many in the food service industry, health inspections can bring a wave of nervousness. However, Fellows has learned to view inspectors as valuable partners rather than adversaries.
“Honestly, when I was young, you know, you had this sense of, ‘oh, my gosh, the health inspector is here,’” Fellows recalled. “But as getting older, you know, I really have just come to learn that they’re just doing their job. It’s like we’re doing ours and they’re really there to help and educate if you work alongside them.”
That collaborative approach began before the restaurant even opened. During the construction process, Fellows reached out to the local health inspector to walk through the space and align on expectations. Today, he encourages his management team—which features two highly experienced managers—to ask questions and continuously seek recommendations to maintain the highest standards.
For Fellows, the standard is personal.
“I have four different locations and I eat at all of them. My children eat there. My wife eats there,” Fellows said. “So I want to be able to walk in any store at any time of day to get something to eat and obviously have confidence in it. I expect my customers to have the same expectations that I do.”
Fan Favorites and Affordable Family Dining
Southern Shores Seafood is known for putting its own unique spin on classic Southern dishes. Their signature dish, the Shrimp Charleston, is a creative reversal of traditional shrimp and grits.
Instead of placing grits on the bottom, the culinary team starts with a base of rich seafood bisque loaded with tomatoes, bacon, and chives. They then scoop and deep-fry cheese grits until they resemble hush puppies, blacken the shrimp, add smoked country sausage from nearby Nettles Country in Lake City, Florida, and finish the plate with fresh green chives.
In addition to signature entrees, Southern Shores Seafood is focusing on keeping dining affordable amid rising grocery and food costs. The restaurant recently introduced a Platter for Four designed to feed a family without breaking the bank.
For $45, families can enjoy:
One pound of chickenOne pound of flounderOne pound of shrimp (cooked to order)Four sidesHush puppies and dipping sauces
“It’s not a big moneymaker for us by any means, but it’s just basically trying to help those that are trying not to break the bank when they’re trying to feed the family,” Fellows said.
Below is a list of the top 10 scoring restaurants that were inspected from August 18 through August 25 in South Georgia: 
Restaurants that scored a 100.(WALB News Team)Below is a list of the 10 lowest-scoring restaurants that were inspected from August 18 through August 25 in South Georgia:
Restaurants scoring below a 91.(WALB News Team)MORE RESTAURANT REPORT:
>> LAST WEEK: Restaurant Report: ‘Employee’s cell phone stored on food prep table’ at Albany fast food chain <<
Below, you can find the food service inspection document for the lowest-scoring restaurants covered in this week’s report:
Hook Fish and Chicken
Chester’s Fried Chicken
The Speakeasy on Main
New Red Wok
Popeye’s
Cracker Barrel- Albany
La Potosina
Tootie Maw’s
Home 2 Suites by Hilton
Jersey Mike’s
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Dining and Cooking