Local restaurants rank high on health inspections
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Whether it is a hamburger, fried chicken or pizza, patrons of local restaurants can enjoy their meals without the worry of serious violations involving food safety and cleanliness. A review of the latest Food Service Inspections performed by Jenkins County Health Inspector Bill Pace reveals that all local restaurants were rated 90 or above on the last inspections.

"A 90 or above rating is very good," said Pace.

Food Service Inspections are rated in three categories with Category I being the most serious, Category II a moderate violation and Category III a lesser violation.

"A Category I violation must be fixed immediately, or I can close the doors. Category II violations must be fixed within 72 hours, and Category III violations must be taken care of as

soon as possible. Most of the violations

I encounter are Category

III," he explained.

All inspections are performed without notice,

he added.

Pace contributes the

high ratings of local restaurants

to the cooperation

of the owners and employees.

"It is a teaching process

for the owners and employees.

What I tell them is also

reinforcement of what the

owners have been telling

them, (employees). A lot of the owners appreciate that," Pace said. The ratings of local restaurants are as follows:

+ Bethany Home Nursing Center - 97

+ Brinson Barbecue - 92 + Cindy's Café on Cotton - 92 + Dairy Queen - 93 + The Huddle House - 96 + Jazzy's Pizza - 93

+ Jenco - 97 + Jenkins County Elementary School - 95

+ Jenkins County Hospital - 97

+ Jenkins County Middle/High School - 95

+ Jenkins County Senior Citizens Center - 96

+ Krispy Chick - 94 + Krystal's Taste of Kountry - 96

+ Magnolia Springs State Park - 95

+ Panda Express - 90 + Papa's Pizza - 96 + Popeye's Restaurant - 95 + Subway - 97 + The Den - 95 + Taster's Choice - 97 + The Little Pit - 95

+ Ogeechee River Trading Company - 99

The Georgia Department of Agriculture is responsible for monitoring convenience stores and supermarkets that cook and sell food.