Posted: September 20th, 2010 - 5:33pm
Source: WMBF

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control aims at improving food safety at area restaurants through a statewide inspection initiative.
The results, which are made available to the public, are based off of a 100 point checklist that inspects 50 areas of each chosen establishment. The lowest grade a restaurant can receive is a "C" rating, or 70 to 77 points.
The following are two of the latest restaurant inspection results in Myrtle Beach:
Tavern in the Forest | 4999 Carolina Forest Blvd., Myrtle Beach
Overall Grade: 85 - B
A Sept. 10 surprise inspection at Tavern in the Forest led a DHEC employee to find dirty food-contact surfaces of kitchenware, such as pots and pans, slicers, knives and cutting boards.
An inspector also found soap and/or paper towels not provided at the bar area and dirty speed racks behind the bar.
Other violations noted in the Sept. 10 inspection report included floors that needed to be cleaned under all kitchen equipment and storage areas.
Sharkey's Restaurant | 1316 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach
Overall Grade: 78 - B
An inspection on Sept. 14 found potentially hazardous food not held below 45 degrees of above 130 degrees. An inspector also found a pot of cold meat sauce sitting out at 60 degrees.
Further inspection also led DHEC to find food not stored 6 inches off the floor and food that was uncovered in storage. Employee drinks were also observed on prep surfaces, in addition to a dirty hand sink.
Other violations noted on the health inspection report included a dirty ware washing sink, a utensil washing sink that was not maintained and dirty floors under kitchen equipment.