Hand washing problems found during Knoxville restaurant inspection
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The eatery with the failing score is located in West Knoxville. The inspector marked down nearly a dozen critical violations.
The grade is a 64 at the Taj Indian Bistro on Parkside Drive in Turkey Creek. That 64 is a failing score as any grade of 69 and below is considered failing.
Taj Indian Bistro, 10901 Parkside Drive, Knoxville — Grade: 64, Follow-up: 90
To begin with, hand washing was a problem. The inspector watched an employee cut cooked chicken with his bare hands, then without washing his hands, he placed the chicken on a plate for service to customers. Another employee went outside, returned to the kitchen, and resumed preparing food without washing his hands. Had they washed their hands, as required, the only soap dispenser in the kitchen wasn't working.
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There's more. Several cooked foods in the cooler did not have date marks on them. The date of first use is required to be marked on all ready-to-eat food. The inspector noticed several food items were left out overnight to cool at room temperature, the food was then placed in the walk-in cooler. That practice invites the growth of bacteria.
Wiping cloths used to clean tables were not kept in a sanitizer bucket as required to properly clean the tables.
In a follow-up, the inspector returned to the Taj Indian Bistro. He checked the critical violations, they had all been corrected. The new grade is 90.
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Top Scores of the Week
Aladdin's Cafe, 7025 Kingston Pk, Knoxville — 100
Mcdonald's, 409 E. Emory Rd, Powell — 100
Zaxby's, 607 E. Emory Rd, Powell — 100
Full House, 3507 W. Emory Rd, Powell — 100
Happy Garden, 1510 N. Cherry St, Knoxville — 100
Order Up Cafe, 900 S. Gay St, Knoxville — 99
New Haven Pizza, 416 Clinch Ave, Knoxville — 99
Copper Cellar, 7316 Kingston Pk, Knoxville — 99
Red Oak Bistro, 669 Glades Rd, Gatlinburg — 99
Pizza Hut, 1215 Congress Pkwy, Athens — 99
Tomato Head, 12 Market Square, Knoxville — 98
Bistro By The Tracks, 2448 Homberg Dr, Knoxville — 98
SECOND HELPING: Miss a Food for Thought segment? See them all here.
Inspectors check on restaurants every six months. The visits are unannounced. If you have a legitimate complaint, mention it politely to the manager, or call your local health department and an inspector will conduct a surprise visit.
