Due to the coronavirus outbreak, many restaurants have gone to takeout only, reduced hours or have temporarily closed. Please call ahead to make sure a restaurant’s status has not changed.
The Knox County Health Department recently evaluated the following restaurants. Restaurant scores may change with follow-up visits; follow-up scores may not be immediately available. For more information on health scores, visit knoxcounty.org/health.
Perfect Scores
Berrylicious, 2317 Brighton Farms Boulevard
Domino’s, 9615 Countryside Center Lane
Gypsy Kitchen, 5006 Brown Gap RoadÂ
Hummingbird Hemp Cafe, 3716 Walker Boulevard
Salsarita’s, 5224 N. Broadway
Taco Bell, 8516 Walbrook Drive
Violations
Olive Garden Restaurant, 10923 Parkside Drive: Condensation dripping from ceiling in walk-in cooler and by dish machine; gaskets need replacing. 99
Cotton Eyed Joes, 11220 Outlet Drive: Wiping cloths improperly stored; debris found in ice machine. 98
Flemings, 11287 Parkside Drive: Coolers on line not properly functioning. 98
Flemings (bar), 11287 Parkside Drive: Dishes in hand sink. 98
Gavino’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, 11316 Parkside Drive: Wiping cloths improperly stored; soda nozzles dirty. 98
Gus’s Good Times Deli, 815 Melrose Place: Build-up in and on various coolers and freezers; ice machine door is broken. 98
McAlister’s, 232 Morrell Road: Knife stored in dirty container; some equipment buttons, and handles contain build-up. 98
Subway, 9629 Countryside Center Lane: some plastic ware cracked/crazed; soda fountain splash panels behind and near diffusers conain buildup. 98
Which Wich Superior Sandwiches, 5140 N. Broadway: Fruit flies observed. 98
Chef Ben Hibachi and Chinese Restaurant, 5210 Broadway: Improper storage of in-use masks and wiping cloths; cooler leaking condensation onto bottom shelf and floor. 97
Jai Dee Thai & Japanese Cuisine, 823 Melrose Place: Dirty cardboard used as shelving covering in cooler, hot water line not consistently working properly on hand sink. 97
Salsarita’s, 10577 Hardin Valley Road: Insects observed; debris found in the ice machine. 97
The Tomato Head, 7240 Kingston Pike S-172: Fruit flies observed; debris build-up in ice machine and racks in cooler. 97
Embassy Suites Knoxville West Hotel Lounge, 9621 Parkside Drive: Upper wash arm not rotating, fan dirty. 96
McDonald’s, 9501 Kingston Pike: Missing hand sink in front prep area; ice scoop holder dirty; top of refrigerator dirty; wall dirty behind dish sink. 95
Season’s Cafe, 11605 Parkside Drive: Improper thawing of fish observed. Reeducated; straws not individually wrapped; test strips must be used. microwave and ice machine dirty. 95
Vietgrill, 10541 Blake Wood Drive: Insects observed; sink and some equipment dirty; floor dirty. 95
Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy, 11299 Parkside Drive: Insects observed; microwave dirty; section of the wall in the mop sink is knocked out; freezer needs defrosting; walls in kitchen need cleaning; missing floor tiles; hooded vents need to be cleaned. 94
Country Burrito Fresh Mex, 10636 Hardin Valley Road: Food improperly stored in sink; insects observed; silverware improperly stored; microwave dirty. 94
Krystal, 3910 Western Avenue: degreaser improperly stored; milk out-of-date; combo unit freezer door gasket in poor repair; some knobs, handles, and other surfaces contain build-up; freezer contains condensation leak. 91 (96 follow-up)
Pelancho’s Mexican Grill, 1516 Downtown West Boulevard; Unit not holding correct temperature; hot rice put in walk in in deep covered container; salt container not labeled; bags of onions improperly stored; ice bin lid dirty. 88 (94 follow-up)
Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet, 9645 Kingston Pike: Raw fish improperly stored; less than 50 ppm chlorine in dishwasher rinse; some food on display not being held at correct temperature; hot chicken being cooled in covered containers; tops of equipment dirty; dumpster door open; kitchen walls dirty. 81 (95 follow-up)
Kelly’s Kitchen, 9355 Kingston Pike Suite 15: Raw eggs improperly stored; chopper and slicer dirty; missing date on gravy container; meat balls not cooled properly; food oil not labeled; chopper hard to take apart; dumpster doors open; floor dirty under fallen shelves. 77 (91 follow-up)
Embassy Suites Knoxville West Hotel Kitchen, 9621 Parkside Drive: Missing soap at kitchen hand sink; cooler not holding correct temperature; toxic chemicals not stored properly; drain flies observed; ice scoop stored in dirty container; wash water dirty; no air gap on filter drain line. 70 (90 follow-up)
Finn’s Restaurant and Tavern, 9000 Kingston Pike: Missing hand washing sign in restroom; cooler units not holding correct temperature; medications stored above prep counter; food not cooled properly; rear door not self-closing; wash water less than 120 degrees; ice bin lid dirty; no back flow protection on mop sink faucet; trash stored behind dumpster; debris found on cooler floor. 68
