Restaurant Scorecard: Hygiene violations, flies and blocked sinks lead to low scores

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Hand hygiene issues, inadequate cleaning and compliance gaps led to low scores for a handful of food establishments in Jefferson County this week.

The Jefferson County Department of Health posted dozens of scores for the week ending May 22, and as of Friday morning, five restaurants scored below 85 and will be reinspected within 60 days.

The Grocery Brew Pub in Homewood and its food truck scored 82 and 76, respectively.

Inspectors cited the food truck for operating without water onboard for handwashing, proper sewage disposal procedures, missing required employee health policy and food-safety training documentation, and other issues including missing ventilation hood filters, required postings and overall cleanliness.

The restaurant located on Central Avenue was cited for missing employee health policy and food-safety training documentation, inadequate handwashing conditions and several maintenance issues including standing water in equipment, dim lighting, non-self-closing restroom doors and a failure to post the current inspection report.

The Vineyard Food Market on 2nd Avenue in Birmingham received a 82. The most serious violations included toxic items improperly stored, a blocked handwashing sink and the presence of flies.

Gardens Café, located at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, also scored a 82. The restaurant lost five points because the inspector reported seeing an employee talking on their cell phone while trying to put on gloves and finish a task. The inspector found food kept past date and improper sanitation because of a malfunctioning dish machine.

The Applebee’s Neighborhood and Grill on Bessemer Road in Birmingham requires another inspection after scoring 82 after the inspector noted cross contamination risks and employee hygiene concerns, including several workers handling food and drinks with long nails and no gloves.

• THE GROCERY BREW PUB
  • Address: 2823 Central Ave, Birmingham, AL 35209
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 82
    • Verification of communication of a minimum required health policy to employees is not available. The permitholder shall inform employees, and persons to whom a job offer is made (conditional employees), in a verifiable manner (flyer, signed agreement, etc.) of their responsibility to report information about their health (i.e. diarrhea, vomiting, or diagnosed with a foodborne illness) as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food. (5 points)
    • Provide food safety training for all foodhandlers, within 21 days of hire, as required; keep documentation of current training for all employees readily available for inspection at all hours of operation./ Documentation of current food safety training for employees is not available. (4 points)
    • Provide water at a temperature of at least 100F through a mixing valve or combination faucet at handwashing sinks./ Water temperature at the handsinks at the bar and in the employee toilet room measured maximum 71F. (4 points)
    • Provide tight fitting and self-closing doors on restrooms except where toilet room is located outside of food establishment./ The employee toilet room door and its vestibule door open into the food prep and warewashing area, and neither door is self-closing. (1 point)
    • Additional points deducted for not having the current inspection report posted, a blown lightbulb, and for having standing water in a freezer.
• THE GROCERY BREW PUB MOBILE
  • Address: 2823 Central Ave, Birmingham, AL 35209
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 76
    • Provide an employee health policy that states what actions are necessary when an employee has a specific symptom or diagnosis related to diseases that are transmissible through food. Communication of the policy to employees must be verifiable./ Verification of communication of a minimum required health policy to employees is not available. The permitholder shall inform employees, and persons to whom a job offer is made (conditional employees), in a verifiable manner (flyer, signed agreement, etc.) of their responsibility to report information about their health (i.e. diarrhea, vomiting, or diagnosed with a foodborne illness) as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food. (5 points)
    • Dispose of sewage through an approved facility./ The operator of the MFU had no graywater hose or knowledge of a sanitary drain for wastewater disposal, nor could one be located. Before conclusion of the inspection, the operator provided a labeled wastewater bucket and demonstrated release of liquid waste from the blackwater drain on the MFU into the bucket, and then transport to the mop service basin in the commissary for disposal. (5 points)
    • Provide food safety training for all foodhandlers, within 21 days of hire, as required; keep documentation of current training for all employees readily available for inspection at all hours of operation./ Documentation of current food safety training for foodhandlers is not available. (4 points)
    • Provide water under pressure onboard the MFU./ The MFU has been operating without water onboard for handwashing. The water tank was filled with the potable water hose, the heating system was switched on, and water under pressure at 100F> was provided before conclusion of the inspection. DO NOT CONDUCT FOOD OPERATIONS ON THE MFU WITHOUT WATER UNDER PRESSURE FOR HANDWASHING. (4 points)
    • Additional points deducted for not posting the latest inspection score, failing to post a sign to remind workers to wash their hands, and for cleaning violations.
• VINEYARD FOOD MARKET
  • Address: 1623 2nd Ave N, Birmingham 35203
  • Date: 05/15/26
  • Score: 82
    • Store toxic items for retail sale below and away from food, utensils, equipment, linens, and single-service/single-use articles. / Three toxic items were stored with single-service items in 3 separate areas in the front food service area, and one toxic item was improperly stored in the ice machine/2-compartment sink room. (5 points)
    • Provide effective insect and rodent control to eliminate their presence on the premises. / There were flies present in the food service operations area. (4 points)
    • Provide access to hand sinks at all times. / The front food service hand sink for the pizza operations was blocked with a 3-piece shelving unit and a bicycle. (4 points)
    • Additional points deducted for several areas that needed to be cleaned.
• GARDENS CAFE
  • Address: 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 82
    • Discard RTE/TCS foods that have exceeded 7 days or for which the date of preparation cannot be determined.// Cooked onions, spinach, shredded chicken, sliced roast beef, and pasta dated 4/16 or 5/4. PIC COS by discarding. (5 points)
    • Provide a chemical sanitizer used in mechanical ware washing equipment as specified by in 7-204.11. / Repair dish machine and wash, rinse and sanitize in 3-compartment sink until repair is verified by JCDH. // Dish machine tested negative for chlorine sanitizer 4-501.114, 4-703.11 Sanitize utensils with quaternary ammonia at a concentration specified by manufacturer for at least 30 seconds.// Observed dish washer dipping utensils and pans in sanitizer for approx. 2-5 seconds. (5 points)
    • Wash hands for at least 15 seconds after any potential contamination (i.e. handling soiled utensils, after using toilet room, before donning gloves, etc.).// Observed employee talking on their cell phone and attempted to immediately put on gloves and finish their task. EHS directed the employee to wash their hands before returning to their task. (5 points)
    • Additional points were deducted because the food permit was not posted, personal items, including a cell phone, were stored near the food prep area, and some food items were not labeled.
• APPLEBEES NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL & BAR
  • Address: 2246 Bessemer Rd, Birmingham, AL 35208
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 82
    • Prevent the contact of food with non-food contact surfaces, or, with food contact surfaces that are not properly cleaned and sanitized. (ice bins, bev. nozzles or other equipment in continuous use)// Equipment stored dirty with food debris on metal and plastic container ready for use stored on shelf near dish machine. (5 points)
    • Prohibit employees from wearing artificial nails or nail polish when working with exposed food, unless wearing gloves in good repair.// Several staff handling food and drinks with long nails and no gloves. 2-302.11, ADPH 420-3-22-.02(4)(b) Keep fingernails trimmed, filed, and maintained so that edges and surfaces are smooth and cleanable, and fingernails do not extend beyond the finger. (4 points)
    • Clean facilities (floors, walls, ceilings, ceiling/wall vent covers, fixtures, etc.) as often as necessary to maintain cleanliness.// Food debris under and behind equipment. Food stains on walls at prep food station, under dish machine, dirty floor drains with food debris and black residue. 6-501.11 Maintain physical facilities in good repair (floors, walls, ceilings, ceiling tiles, attached fixtures, etc.).// Damaged floor tile under dish machine. (2 points)
    • Cease wearing jewelry on the arms and hands (other than a plain ring) while preparing food. //Staff wearing wrist watch while preparing food on serving line. (2 points)
    • Points were also deducted because carry out containers were not properly stored, cut lemons and limes were stored in a place that made them at risk of contamination, and soiled clothes were stored on the serving line.

Other Food Establishments

• MOON SHINE AT THE ELYTON HOTEL
  • Address: 1928 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 97
• MCADORY QUICK STOP
  • Address: 4809 McAdory School Rd, Bessemer, AL 35111
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 96
• FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES
  • Address: 1918 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 95
• TUCANA TIKI BAR
  • Address: 1143 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Date: 05/13/26
  • Score: 99
• ALs ON SEVENTH
  • Address: 2627 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Date: 05/13/26
  • Score: 96
• OASIS ROAD HOUSE
  • Address: 2807 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Date: 05/13/26
  • Score: 96
• DENIM ON 7TH
  • Address: 2808 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Date: 05/13/26
  • Score: 92
• LOUS PUB & PACKAGE STORE
  • Address: 726 29th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Date: 05/13/26
  • Score: 91
• INNISFREE IRISH PUB
  • Address: 710 29th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Date: 05/13/26
  • Score: 96
• SIDEBAR
  • Address: 2929 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Date: 05/13/26
  • Score: 93
• BILLYS TAVERN
  • Address: 2829 6th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Date: 05/13/26
  • Score: 89
• MAYAWELL BAR
  • Address: 2900 4th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Date: 05/13/26
  • Score: 96
• TORME ASSOCIATED FOODS - STORE & PRODUCE
  • Address: 527 20th St N, Bessemer, AL 35020
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 95
• JUNE CAFE
  • Address: 213 25th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 98
• WINGS R KINGS
  • Address: 1137 Arkadelphia Rd, Birmingham, AL 35204
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 94
• DAWSONS BURGERS WINGS & FRIES
  • Address: 1617 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 97
• BURGER KING #17389
  • Address: 2700 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 96
• SUBWAY
  • Address: 1909 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 98
• EL TACO LOCO TRUCK #1
  • Address: 1924 1st Ave N, Bessemer, AL 35020
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 91
• COURTHOUSE CAFE
  • Address: 1729 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 96
• TACO RRIENDO TRAILER @ CHEFS WORKSHOP
  • Address: 3439 Lorna Ln, Hoover, AL 35216
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 99
• FROTHY MONKEY
  • Address: 2320 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 93
• EDGARS BAKERY
  • Address: 2711 18th St S, Homewood, AL 35209
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 94
• TAQUITOS GRILL
  • Address: 821 Graymont Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 89
• T.P. MILLERS BAR & GRILL
  • Address: 9394 Hwy 31 N, Kimberly, AL 35091
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 93
• TPs TO GO
  • Address: 9394 Hwy 31 N, Kimberly, AL 35091
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 100
• JIMMY JOHNS #4168
  • Address: 323 20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 96
• OHENRYS COFFEE COMPANY
  • Address: 569 Brookwood Vlg, Birmingham, AL 35209
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 89
• SUBWAY #34790
  • Address: 1700 Tallapoosa St, Birmingham, AL 35234
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 98
• BURKETT CENTER
  • Address: 8601 Old Highway 31, Morris, AL 35116
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 100
• BANDIT BAKERY
  • Address: 2321 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 94
• LITTLE CAESARS
  • Address: 439 Fieldstown Rd, Gardendale, AL 35071
  • Date: 05/15/26
  • Score: 96
• IANS MARKET #8
  • Address: 27701 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35206
  • Date: 05/15/26
  • Score: 98
• MT OLIVE GROCERY
  • Address: 3340 Mount Olive Rd, Mount Olive, AL 35117
  • Date: 05/15/26
  • Score: 86
• ZOES HOME COOKING
  • Address: 308 20th Street Ensley, Birmingham, AL 35218
  • Date: 05/15/26
  • Score: 99
• GRAYSVILLE 78
  • Address: 1435 Bankhead Hwy, Graysville, AL 35073
  • Date: 05/15/26
  • Score: 96
• MT. BROOK CREAMERY
  • Address: 2715 Cahaba Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 96
• SHADES CREST CHEVRON
  • Address: 3430 Morgan Rd, Bessemer, AL 35022
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 96
• NEIGHBORHOOD FAMOUS
  • Address: 1851 Montgomery Hwy, Hoover, AL 35244
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 95
• MAYA MEXICAN RESTAURANT
  • Address: 308 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 96
• DOLLAR GENERAL #8036
  • Address: 27 Park Rd, Pleasant Grove, AL 35127
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 97
• WALGREENS #5072
  • Address: 2505 Highway 150, Hoover, AL 35244
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 97
• TACOS TOLUCA MOBILE
  • Address: 5118 Pinson Valley Pkwy, Pinson, AL 35215
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 98
• ALLSTAR DINER SCOOPS
  • Address: 5704 Birmingport Rd, Sylvan Springs, AL 35118
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 99
• 12TH AVENUE SHELL
  • Address: 3030 12th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35234
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 94
• EXXON 1502
  • Address: 270 Hwy 150 John Hawkins Pkwy, Hoover, AL 35244
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 89
• ALL ORIGINAL PIZZERIA
  • Address: 4760 Eastern Valley Rd, McCalla, AL 35111
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 95
• MARATHON DELI
  • Address: 6598 Warrior River Rd, Bessemer, AL 35023
  • Date: 05/01/26
  • Score: 93
• 1st AVENUE CITGO - DELI
  • Address: 4356 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35222
  • Date: 05/21/26
  • Score: 93
• 41ST STREET PUB & AIRCRAFT SALES
  • Address: 130 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
  • Date: 05/21/26
  • Score: 98
• UNITED MINI MART
  • Address: 5300 Bessemer Super Highway, Midfield, AL 35228
  • Date: 05/21/26
  • Score: 94
• VINESVILLE CONVENIENCE STORE
  • Address: 1001 Vinesville Rd, Birmingham, AL 35208
  • Date: 05/21/26
  • Score: 97
• 3rd AVENUE CHEVRON
  • Address: 4101 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222
  • Date: 05/21/26
  • Score: 90
• SANPEGGIOS PIZZA
  • Address: 5250 Medford Dr, Hoover, AL 35244
  • Date: 05/20/26
  • Score: 95
• BESSEMER STOP N GO
  • Address: 2805 Dartmouth Ave, Bessemer, AL 35020
  • Date: 05/20/26
  • Score: 94
• JIMMY JOHNS #3013
  • Address: 5250 Medford Dr, Hoover, AL 35244
  • Date: 05/20/26
  • Score: 92
• STARBUCKS COFFEE #2403
  • Address: 25180 Medford Dr, Hoover, AL 35244
  • Date: 05/20/26
  • Score: 85
• CHINA KING
  • Address: 4760 Eastern Valley Rd, McCalla, AL 35111
  • Date: 05/20/26
  • Score: 95
• JUBILEE JOES CAJUN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
  • Address: 5190 Medford Dr, Hoover, AL 35244
  • Date: 05/20/26
  • Score: 89
• DEEP ROOTS NUTRITION
  • Address: 4760 Eastern Valley Rd, McCalla, AL 35111
  • Date: 05/20/26
  • Score: 99
• POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN
  • Address: 2239 Bessemer Rd, Birmingham, AL 35208
  • Date: 05/20/26
  • Score: 85
• FEAST BHAM CATERING CULINARY KITCHEN
  • Address: 81 Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213
  • Date: 05/20/26
  • Score: 96
• CHURCH STREET COFFEE & BOOKS
  • Address: 81 Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213
  • Date: 05/20/26
  • Score: 92
• N & S FOOD MART CHEVRON
  • Address: 1601 Pinson Valley Pkwy, Tarrant, AL 35217
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 95
• MARANOS DASPORTO
  • Address: 6200 Grand River Blvd, Leeds, AL 35094
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 95
• BUSH QUICK STOP
  • Address: 2517 Bush Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35208
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 96
• LEMONGRASS THAI KITCHEN
  • Address: 6200 Grand River Blvd E, Leeds, AL 35094
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 88
• MR TEA BOBA COFFEE
  • Address: 6200 Grand River Blvd E, Leeds, AL 35094
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 95
• COUNSELING CENTER EAST
  • Address: 50 Long St, Birmingham, AL 35217
  • Date: 05/19/26
  • Score: 98
• JANOOB INC
  • Address: 600 20th Street Ensley, Birmingham, AL 35218
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 97

Schools

• IRA F. SIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • Address: 1575 Patton Chapel Rd, Hoover, AL 35226
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 100
• SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • Address: 1124 Five Mile Rd, Birmingham, AL 35215
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 99
• CHARLES A. BROWN ELEMENTARY K-5
  • Address: 4811 Court J (Ensley), Birmingham, AL 35208
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 98
• SUN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
  • Address: 1010 18th Ave NW, Birmingham, AL 35215
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 94
• HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC ACADEMY
  • Address: 1916 19th Street Ensley, Birmingham, AL 35218
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 95
• CONCORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
  • Address: 900 McClain Rd, Bessemer, AL 35023
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 100
• CENTER POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
  • Address: 4801 Indian Trl, Birmingham, AL 35215
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 98
• VESTAVIA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
  • Address: 2235 Limerock Rd, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 100
• ALABAMA CLINICAL SCHOOLS
  • Address: 1221 Alton Dr, Birmingham, AL 35210
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 97
• LEGACY PREP INTERMEDIATE CHARTER SCHOOL
  • Address: 2900 South Park Dr SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 98
• EPHESUS ACADEMY
  • Address: 829 McMillan Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 98
• JOHN E. BRYAN ELEMENTARY
  • Address: 600 Kimberly Cut-Off Rd, Morris, AL 35116
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 100
• RUDD MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • Address: 4526 Rudd School Rd, Pinson, AL 35126
  • Date: 05/15/26
  • Score: 100
• OSSIE WARE MITCHELL MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • Address: 501 81st St S, Birmingham, AL 35206
  • Date: 05/15/26
  • Score: 98
• KERMIT JOHNSON ELEMENTARY
  • Address: 8300 Kermit Johnson Rd, Pinson, AL 35126
  • Date: 05/15/26
  • Score: 97
• MT. PILGRIM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
  • Address: 6746 Grasselli Rd, Fairfield, AL 35064
  • Date: 05/15/26
  • Score: 96
• I-3 ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • Address: 7901 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35206
  • Date: 05/15/26
  • Score: 91
• GREEN ACRES SCHOOL
  • Address: 1220 67th Street Ensley, Birmingham, AL 35228
  • Date: 05/14/26
  • Score: 99
• W.J. CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCH
  • Address: 725 Mountain Dr, Birmingham, AL 35206
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 95
• VESTAVIA HILLS HIGH FRESHMAN CAMPUS
  • Address: 2020 Pizitz Dr, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
  • Date: 05/18/26
  • Score: 100

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