All 16 establishments included in the latest Lenoir and Greene county inspection records received A grades, with scores ranging from 91 to 100.
The records for Sept. 7-13 include restaurants, school cafeterias, a grocery produce department and a lodging establishment. Inspectors documented issues involving food temperatures, storage, sanitation and equipment maintenance. Several violations were corrected during inspections.
The summaries below highlight findings from each report, including some violations that did not result in point deductions. Scores reflect conditions observed at the time of inspection.
Lenoir County
Jay’s 108
108 B North St., Kinston
Inspected Sept. 11. Score: 91, Grade: A.
Inspectors observed raw chicken handling that created cross-contamination risks near ready-to-eat foods and cooked chicken. Cooked chicken was discarded, surfaces were sanitized and employees received instruction. Other findings included dishes washed without sanitizing, refrigerated foods above required temperatures and numerous prepared foods missing date labels. Several foods were discarded, including cooked octopus held beyond the allowed period. Inspectors also cited missing written procedures for holding sushi rice without temperature control, a malfunctioning cooler, damaged gaskets, improper storage, cleaning needs and a plumbing leak. Follow-up verification was required for the rice procedures and equipment repairs.
Piggly Wiggly 78 produce
2407-D N. Herritage St., Kinston
Inspected Sept. 11. Score: 98.5, Grade: A.
Disposable food containers were stored facing up, with dried food debris found in some containers. Dirty containers were discarded. Inspectors also noted cleaning needs on display shelving, around storage shelving, beneath walk-in cooler shelving and pallets, and on restroom walls beneath hand dryers.
Chens Chinese
211 W. Vernon Ave., Kinston
Inspected Sept. 10. Score: 91, Grade: A.
Findings included an expired food safety manager certification, missing date labels on cooked foods, uncovered foods and containers stacked directly on food without protective barriers. Foods were dated and covered during the inspection. Dead roaches were observed, and follow-up verification was required for pest control. Inspectors also cited reused disposable items, equipment not approved for its use, cleaning needs, damaged floors and a deteriorated grease trap cover. Additional concerns included inadequate preparation-area lighting and personal food and belongings stored among restaurant supplies. Several violations were repeats.
El Ray Azteca Mexican Restaurant Bar and Grill
107 N. Central Ave., Pink Hill
Inspected Sept. 10. Score: 100, Grade: A.
Inspectors documented violations without deducting points. Octopus was thawing in standing water and was moved under running water during the inspection. Other findings included raw meat stored in a cooler intended for prepackaged or bottled products, torn protective coating on a freezer and employee drinks in the kitchen without a designated storage area.
Jayden’s Sports Bar & Grill
1614 N. Queen St., Kinston
Inspected Sept. 10. Score: 98, Grade: A.
Soap was missing at a handwashing sink and in the men’s restroom. Soap supplies were replaced during the inspection. Opened precooked chicken wings lacked a date label and were dated. Inspectors also cited a noncommercial freezer and exposed, absorbent wood on a kitchen doorway. The report noted that the person in charge needed food safety manager certification within 180 days of permitting.
Red Carpet Inn and Suites
208 E. New Bern Road, Kinston
Lodging inspection Sept. 10. Score: 93.5, Grade: A.
Inspectors found missing soap and paper towels at a staff laundry handwashing sink, damaged or soiled guest room furnishings and fixtures, and cleaning and maintenance needs throughout inspected areas. Findings included dusty vents, cobwebs, dead insects and a live young cockroach in one room. Some containers used for soiled linens lacked required labeling. Food residue was also found inside a guest room microwave.
Arendell Parrott Academy cafeteria
1901 Dobbs Farm Road, Kinston
Inspected Sept. 9. Score: 99, Grade: A.
No one present held food protection manager certification, a repeat violation. Inspectors also noted dust, rust or mold on a ceiling vent in the dry storage area and directed that vents be kept clean and in good repair.
Falling Creek Store
Address listed in the report as 2278 Falling Creek Store, Kinston
Inspected Sept. 9. Score: 93, Grade: A.
Repeat violations involved handwashing, separation of raw and ready-to-eat foods, and date marking. Inspectors also found undercooked hamburgers, insufficiently heated chili, refrigerated foods above required temperatures and improper dishwashing procedures. Burgers received additional cooking, chili was reheated, foods were rearranged or discarded, and dishwashing practices were corrected. Raw, bone-in chicken added to the menu without health department approval was discarded. Inspectors directed the owners to obtain approval before expanding the menu. Restroom flooring and handwashing-area lighting also needed attention.
Herritage Elite
910 N. Herritage St., Kinston
Inspected Sept. 9. Score: 100, Grade: A.
No violations were listed in the inspection report.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
4153 W. Vernon Ave., Suite 7, Kinston
Inspected Sept. 9. Score: 98.5, Grade: A.
Inspectors cited a leaking handwashing sink, a loose restroom faucet, torn cooler gaskets and cleaning needs inside a cabinet and display cooler. An unlabeled chemical spray bottle was labeled as degreaser during the inspection. Replacement cooler gaskets had been ordered.
Food Lion deli No. 2580
301 Washington St., La Grange
Inspected Sept. 8. Score: 95.5, Grade: A.
Fried chicken had not reached the required cooking temperature and was returned to the fryer for additional cooking. A repeat cold-holding violation involved deli meats and packaged chicken above 41 degrees in a grab-and-go case; affected products were discarded. Inspectors also found overly concentrated sanitizer, a malfunctioning paper towel dispenser and clean utensils stored in a dirty pan. Those issues were corrected during the inspection. Floor grout, missing ceiling tiles and walk-in freezer cleaning also needed attention.
Happy Seafood Family 88 LLC
2405 Herritage St., Unit J, Kinston
Inspected Sept. 8. Score: 96, Grade: A.
Inspectors found black mildew inside the ice machine and mildew in the ice scoop container. Cleaning and sanitizing the ice machine required follow-up verification. Other findings included homemade coleslaw stored in a soda cooler not approved for that use, ice buildup in freezers, a malfunctioning hot-water faucet and damaged or missing floor tiles.
Hardee’s
1344 U.S. 258 S., Kinston
Inspected Sept. 8. Score: 94.5, Grade: A.
Liquid and shell eggs exceeded 41 degrees and were discarded, marking a repeat cold-holding violation. Prep-line coolers measured 46 to 47 degrees and required repairs and follow-up verification. Inspectors also cited equipment maintenance and cleaning needs involving food preparation areas, restrooms and floors. The report warned that continued cold-holding violations could lead to a risk control plan or permit action during future inspections or visits.
Southeast Elementary School cafeteria
201 S. McDaniel St., Kinston
Inspected Sept. 8. Score: 100, Grade: A.
No violations were listed. The inspector noted improvements to walls and ceilings and praised staff performance on food temperatures and cleaning.
Greene County
Rouse’s Restaurant
34 N. Perry Drive, Snow Hill
Inspected Sept. 10. Score: 98, Grade: A.
Rice in a 4-gallon container remained at 45 degrees in the center after overnight storage. Ice was added to bring the temperature below 41 degrees. Inspectors also found standing water in a sandwich preparation unit and directed staff to check the drain, noting no signs of food contamination. Both violations were marked corrected during the inspection.
Farmer and the Dail
1329 U.S. 258 N., Snow Hill
Inspected Sept. 9. Score: 97, Grade: A.
Sausage gravy was cooling in a tightly covered, deep container and was transferred to a shallow, uncovered pan during the inspection. Inspectors also cited baked goods stored too close to the walk-in freezer floor, debris in a utensil storage container and cleaning needs on vents and shelving. Sanitizer test strips were difficult to access, and an employee did not know how to use them. The cooling, food storage and test-strip violations were marked corrected during the inspection.
Dining and Cooking