Eateries earn top health scores
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 18, 2012 1:50 AM
Seventy restaurants and foodstands in the county are being recognized by the Health Department for achieving high sanitation standards.
The Golden A award program, started in Wayne County in 1999, is based on scores given during the year's health inspections.
The annual recognition used to be done in a large ceremony at the Wayne Center, but in recent years certificates are presented at each business individually, said Shane Smith, food and lodging supervisor with the environmental health program.
"It's been in this format probably since North Carolina changed to the different frequencies. That's been about five years," he said.
As a result, requirements to earn the award have become more stringent, he said. The top 10 percent in each category are awarded a grade card to be displayed at the business.
"The criteria is you have to have a 95 or higher to qualify, but then we take the top 10 averages after that."
Businesses are identified by frequencies of inspection. For example, some foodstands that only serve sandwiches may only be inspected once or twice a year, while those that have more variety of hot and cold foods will be inspected several times a year.
It is definitely an honor for a food service business to receive one of the prestigious certificates, Smith said.
"It gives them a goal to shoot for, to allow the citizens of Wayne County to show that these are the top (businesses)," he said. "When you see these awards in the facility you know it's exemplary."
The list of the top 10 honorees in each category, and those with the highest scores, appears below.
RESTAURANTS
Frequency 1 & 2:
Big Barn, U.S. 13 (100)
Starbucks, Wayne Memorial Drive
Burger King, Spence Ave.
Subway, Breazeale Ave., Mount Olive Kangaroo, U.S. 70 West
Subway, U.S. 70 West
Kangaroo Express, Buck Swamp Road All Star Family Fun Center
Tasty Shoppe, U.S. 70 West
Chuck E. Cheese
Frequency 3:
Roseli's, Dudley (99.5)
Taco Bell Eleventh St. (99.5)
Grady's BBQ, Dudley (99.5)
Cherry Blossom, Stevens Mill Road (99.5)
Scott's BBQ
Original Tabernacle of Prayer
The Getaway Café Coffeehouse, E. Walnut St.
Food Lion Deli, Pikeville
Worksource East, Corporate Drive George's Grill, U.S. 13 N.
Frequency 4:
Marcelina's, Pikeville (99.375)
Lotus 1899 Bistro, N. John St.
Village Steakhouse, U.S. 70 West
B & G Grill
Country Skillet
Rudy's Grill, N.C. 581
Triangle Restaurant
China House
BJ Café, Eureka
La Paz
Foodstands:
Pretzel Twister, Berkeley Blvd. (99.75)
Dominos Spence Ave.
Kangaroo Express William St.
Kims Catering Service, John St.
Food Lion Deli Hwy. 111
Food Lion Deli Five Points
Kangaroo Express New Hope Rd.
Walmart Deli, U.S. 70 West
Soft T Shop, S. John St.
Food Lion Deli, Mount Olive
School Lunchrooms:
North Drive Elementary (100)
Spring Creek Middle/High School (100)
Northwest Elementary (100)
Dillard Middle
Meadow Lane Elementary
Rosewood Elementary
Norwayne Middle
Brogden Middle School
School Street Elementary
Spring Creek Elementary
Institutions:
The Pines (99.62)
LaGrange Gardens Assisted Living
Woodard Retirement Village
Sterling House Kitty Askins
Re Nu Life Extended
Fremont Rest Center
Countryside Assisted Living
Magnolia Place, Salem Church Road
Woodard Care
Meat Markets:
Food Lion, Pikeville (99.5)
Food Lion, Five Points Road
Food Lion, Mount Olive
Hills Beef & Pork
Food Lion, N.C. 111
Food Lion, New Hope Road
El Mercado, Parkway Drive Food Lion, W. Grantham St.
Piggly Wiggly, Lionel St.
Country Butcher Shop, U.S. 70 West, LaGrange.