Charlotte Restaurant’s Recent Health Inspection Raises Eyebrows
In a bit of unsettling news for food lovers in Charlotte, a local eatery has found itself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. The Irie Nation Restaurant, located at 3501 S. Tryon St., just recently received a B grade during an inspection by the Mecklenburg County Health Department on Monday, November 18. With an overall score of 84.5%, some concerning violations were noted during the inspection.
Health Violations Spark Concern
During the inspection, health inspectors discovered a few issues that raised red flags. Among the notable violations were the alarming presence of flies and gnats buzzing around the kitchen area. That’s not exactly the kind of company you want while enjoying a good meal, right?
But wait, there’s more! Inspectors also pointed out that there were several other problems that needed immediate attention. Here’s a rundown of what they found:
- Gasket in need of repair in the reach-in cooler
- Food debris lurking on shelving in the walk-in cooler and the floors of the reach-in freezer
- Cooked chicken wings, goat, rice, beans, and pasta were found without adequate date labeling
- The hot water faucet on the handwashing sink was unfortunately not working
This is notably the restaurant’s second B grade in just a matter of days. The first inspection yielded a similar score just four days prior to this latest finding. Let’s hope they can improve things quickly, because diners deserve to feel safe and satisfied when they enjoy their meals!
A Look at Other Local Restaurants
If you’re worried that Irie Nation is the only spot with inspection troubles, fear not. The Mecklenburg County sanitation scene is a mixed bag. During the recent inspection week from November 15-21, a total of 164 inspections conducted in the county revealed that most restaurants scored an A grade, with a score of at least 90%. That’s reassuring! But there were a couple of questionable establishments.
Another restaurant, the 7th Street NY Deli, located at 401 Hawthorne Ln., also faced scrutiny, earning a score of 83% on the same day as Irie Nation. Inspectors noted that they had serious issues too, including:
- Dirty dishes piling up
- Food stored on the floor
Although it had previously scored a commendable 90% in September 2024, it seems they slipped this time around. On a brighter note, they did receive a 96% score during a follow-up inspection on November 21, so it appears they’re on the right track!
Why Sanitation Scores Matter
Let’s not forget about why these inspections and scores are crucial. In North Carolina, sanitation scores are important as they gauge how well restaurants comply with health standards designed to avoid food-borne illnesses. It’s our safety that these inspectors are looking out for!
If you’d like to check out inspection scores for any eatery in Mecklenburg County, you can find all the details on the county’s public health website. As diners, it’s always good to be informed about the places we eat at!
So what do you think, Charlotte? Are you still craving some tasty bites from Irie Nation, or is it time to explore some other restaurant options while they work on improving their health score? Only time will tell!
