News Summary
Several food businesses in Beaufort County received low health inspection grades from DHEC in May, raising concerns for customers. Many establishments improved their scores significantly after reinspections. Examples include Bowdie’s Chophouse, Plum’s Cafe, and La Familia, all of which addressed violations to achieve satisfactory A grades. In total, 244 inspections were conducted in Beaufort County, highlighting the importance of food safety protocols. Customers can now access inspection reports through new QR code decals introduced to promote transparency.
Beaufort County, SC – In May, 11 food businesses in Beaufort County received “B” and “C” grades following health inspections conducted by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). These grades indicate various violations related to food safety and cleanliness that have raised concerns among customers.
Most of the establishments were able to improve their scores substantially upon reinspections. For instance, Bowdie’s Chophouse initially received a B grade of 85% on May 13 due to several infractions, including the failure to equip hand-wash sinks with soap or drying towels, clean dishes with baked-on food debris, unlabeled chemical spray bottles, chemicals stored over ready-to-eat foods, and a walk-in freezer with a condenser leak. After a reinspection on May 22, Bowdie’s improved to a C grade of 92%, and ultimately achieved an A with a score of 97% on May 30.
Another restaurant, Plum’s Cafe, scored 78% (B) on May 6, with issues such as employees not washing hands after handling dirty plates, improper handling of ready-to-eat food items, and a blocked hand sink. Following reinspections, the grades rose to 93% (C) on May 14 and 98% (A) on May 21.
Panini’s Cafe initially scored a B grade of 95% due to violations like a lowboy cooler in poor repair and improper cold holding temperatures. However, a reinspection on May 8 resulted in a perfect score of 100% (A). Similarly, La Familia was cited for incorrect food handling practices and the presence of moldy food, earning a score of 74% (C). It later received a 100% (A) on reinspection on May 21.
Also, La Poblanita Restaurant received a C grade of 76% after being cited for improper food storage and handwashing issues. The establishment improved to an A grade of 100% following its reinspection on May 28. Meanwhile, Papaya Thai & Sushi scored 71% (C) due to critical violations, such as the absence of paper towels at the hand sink and improper storage of raw and ready-to-eat foods. Subsequent reinspections yielded scores of 93% (C) and 100% (A) on May 13 and May 21, respectively.
Additionally, E Tang received a B grade of 78%, addressing issues like improper food storage and cleanliness concerns. It improved its score to 100% (A) on reinspection on May 13. Likewise, El Don Juan began with a B grade of 79%, due to improper procedures, and scored a perfect 100% (A) upon reinspection on May 29. Olive Garden and Sub Station II scored 83% (B) and 82% (B), respectively, though Sub Station II has yet to be reinspected. Lastly, Yummy House faced issues with food handler hygiene and food storage practices, earning a B grade, before improving to a satisfactory 100% (A) in its reinspection.
In total, DHEC conducted 244 inspections in Beaufort County and 35 in Jasper County during May. Notably, Jasper County did not report any food businesses receiving B or C grades. In an effort to enhance transparency, new food-grade decals that feature QR codes have been introduced, allowing customers to easily access inspection reports.
Concerns regarding food safety can be reported to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) through a formal complaint form, as public safety and health are paramount in the food service industry.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Beaufort County Food Businesses Face Low Grades in Inspections
Bluffton Prepares for Hurricane Season
Low Health Inspection Grades Impact Local Restaurants in Beaufort County
Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Food Safety Inspections in Beaufort County
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- Island Packet: Local Business Updates
- Google Search: Beaufort County food safety
- Feast Magazine: Sustainable Organic Produce
- Google Scholar: Sustainable Agriculture
- A Way to Garden: Tomato Grafting Techniques
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Home Garden
- The Skimm: Daily Newsletter on Beaufort
- Google News: Beaufort South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
