Moldy corn dogs, gnats in frozen yogurt among October’s lowest Jefferson County inspection scores

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Nine food establishments in Jefferson County fell below health and safety standards in October, with violations that included moldy corn dogs, gnats in frozen yogurt, dark, pinkish-orange and black residue in ice machines, and multiple temperature control issues.

Foo Hai in Homewood scores a 60

Foo Hai in Homewood had the lowest score of the month with a 60, one point from triggering an automatic closure.

Inspectors with the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) returned to the restaurant Oct. 12 to verify “corrective actions had been initiated for all identified violations within the required 48-hour timeframe,” a spokesperson said. It will have a scored reinspection within 60 days, said the spokesperson.

Violations in the initial inspection included repeats from a September inspection, including unlabeled spray bottles of cleaning agents in the kitchen and bar area, food without a proper date mark and food waste in a handwashing sink.

Inspectors reported a bowl of raw chicken stored on top of a pan of raw fish on the top rail of the make table cooler, above the 41-degree limit required to keep food safe. They also found a can opener blade heavily soiled with black residue and a food slicer coated in dried, impacted food residue and grease.

Trays of cooked chicken and pork dumplings were left out to cool at room temperature instead of in refrigeration, according to JCDH.

Scores in the 70s

Yogurt Mountain in Gardendale scored a 70 on Oct. 15. Inspectors found two frozen yogurt flavors above safe holding temperatures, gnats inside pumpkin pie-flavored yogurt and inside an empty cooler, and no toilet tissue in the women’s restroom. According to the report, the cleaning schedule did not cover full machine cleaning.

B & J Food Mart in Trussville scored a 72 on Oct. 15. Inspectors found corn dogs with visible mold, sliced cheese, sausage and corn dogs stored in a too warm cooler, corn dogs and jalapeño poppers stored at too cool a temperature, the food handler on duty had no food safety training, and the other handlers’ certifications had expired. According to JCDH, the employee restroom had no soap, paper towels or toilet tissue.

Fieldstown Shell in Gardendale scored a 79 on Oct. 15. Inspectors found raw eggs, milk, cheese and prepared sandwiches held between 46 and 56 degrees, above the 41-degree maximum, and pinkish-orange and black residue inside the ice machine.

The store was reinspected Oct. 22, scored a 93 and is considered in satisfactory compliance.

Scores in the 80s

O Taste & See in Birmingham scored an 82 on Oct. 22. Inspectors reported the air temperature inside a double-door cooler was 53 degrees. The restaurant also lost points for a damaged backflow prevention device on the mop sink and no chlorine test strips to check the strength of the sanitizing solution.

Johnny Brusco’s New York Style Pizza in Hoover scored an 82 on Oct. 6. Inspectors found no employee health policy on file, a soiled can opener blade, no food safety training for kitchen employees and “dark residue” inside an ice machine.

Hampton Inn in Bessemer scored an 84 on Oct. 27. Inspectors found whipped cream and cream cheese held at 50 degrees, hot water at the employee restroom handwashing sinks reached below the 100-degree requirement, and no food handling certification available.

Taqueria Apatzingan in Tarrant scored an 84 on Oct. 20. Inspectors found temperature control issues with beef stew, chicken and steak, and no certified food protection manager was on site.

Bluff Park Wings & Grill in Hoover scored an 84 on Oct. 14. Inspectors found chicken held between 44 and 51 degrees and cooked potatoes in an oven at 87 degrees, and grime and debris on the floors, walls and ceiling.

• FOO HAI
  • Address: 1903 29th Ave S, Homewood 35209
  • Date of inspection: Oct. 8, 2026
  • Score: 60
    • Label all toxic items not in original containers with the common name of the product./ Unidentified pump sprayer of floor cleaner in the dish room was labeled during the inspection; multiple spray containers of unidentified cleaning agents were found throughout the food operations areas and bar. Repeat violation under Official Notice EH17002322 issued 03 SEP 2026. (5 points)
    • Maintain TCS food at 41°F or below./ A bowl of shredded raw chicken, found stored double-panned on top of a pan of raw fish on the top rail of the make table cooler measured 51F and was voluntarily discarded. CEASE double-panning TCS foods on the make table and store them in a single pan IN THE COLD WELL and maintain at 41°F<. (5 points)
    • Wash, rinse and sanitize contaminated equipment and utensils (non-cooking) as often as necessary to prevent the accumulation of soil, or at least every 4 hours during continuous use (can opener blade, slicers, etc.)/ The blade of the can opener was very heavily soiled with black residue and was removed to the ware washing area for cleaning and sanitizing. The food holder, blade, blade ring and housing, and blade guard of the food slicer was heavily soiled with dried, impacted food residues, particles, and fats. Do not use the food slicer until clean to sight and touch and sanitized. (5 points)
    • Properly date mark all TCS food prepared in-house, when held for more than 24 hours, with the prep date and date of discard — not to exceed 7 days following the prep date (Day 1) + 6 days = 7 days refrigerated storage limit. If food has been frozen, date mark TCS food prepared in-house with: date prepared; date frozen; date removed for thawing; date to discard — not to exceed 7 days total (excluding days that the product was frozen)./ Two cases of cooked pork bones and the meat pulled from them, found stored in the WI freezer without date marks, were properly date marked during the inspection. Repeat violation under Official Notice EH17002323 issued 03 SEP 2026. (4 points)
    • Use a rapid cooling method or rapid cooling equipment to cool food./ Multiple trays of cooked, wrapped, chicken and pork cooked dumplings, 88°F, found left on a speedrack in the side prep area to cool were moved to the WI cooler, with their wrappings lifted, to continue cooling under refrigeration. CEASE cooling TCS food at ambient temperature and use the commercial refrigeration equipment provided. (4 points)
    • Cease using hand sinks for any purpose other than handwashing./ Food waste and the ware washing sink stoppers were found in the handwashing sink in the rear prep and ware washing area; repeat violation under Office Notice EH17002321 issued 03 SEP 2026. (4 points)
    • Provide food safety training for all food handlers, 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 several of the food handlers on duty was not available. (4 points)
    • Cease wearing jewelry on the arms and hands (other than a plain ring) while preparing food./ Food handler with wristwear. (2 points)
• YOGURT MOUNTAIN
  • Address: 521 Fieldstown Rd, Gardendale 35071
  • Date of inspection: Oct. 15, 2026
  • Score: 70
    • Frozen yogurt flavor Tart at 63°F; Frozen yogurt flavor NSA strawberry at 58°F. -COS PIC disconnected unit holding both flavors.(5 points)
    • 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).// Yogurt machines have weekly cleaning schedule posted to each machine- daily cleaning does not include entire machine. (5 points)
    • Provide safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented food.// Gnats inside Pumpkin Pie flavor frozen yogurt. COS- PIC disconnected machine. (5 points)
    • Provide toilet tissue at each toilet.// No toilet tissue in ladies’ bathroom. (4 points)
    • Provide effective insect and rodent control to eliminate their presence on the premises.// Gnat infestation inside emptied RI cooler. (4 points)
    • Clean facilities (floors, walls, ceilings, ceiling/wall vent covers, fixtures, etc.) as often as necessary to maintain cleanliness.// Excessive amount of yogurt spillage on floor behind machines. (2 points)
• B & J FOOD MART
  • Address: 1661 Floyd Bradford Rd, Trussville 35173
  • Date of inspection: Oct. 15, 2026
  • Score: 72
    • Provide safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented food.// Corn dogs with visible mold. PIC COS by discarding. (5 points)
    • Maintain TCS food at 41°F or below.// Sliced cheese, sausage and corn dogs with a minimum temperature of 56°F degrees. RI maketable cooler has an ambient temperature of 61°F degrees. Cease storing any TCS food in maketable cooler until holding at the proper temperature. PIC COS by discarding and relocating all other non-TCS items to the RI freezer. (5 points)
    • Maintain TCS food at 135°F or above.// Corn dogs and jalapeno poppers with a maximum temperature of 105°F degrees. PIC COS by discarding. (5 points)
    • Provide toilet tissue at each toilet. // No toilet tissue in employee restroom 6-301.12 Provide paper towels or a continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel at each handwashing sink or group of adjacent sinks.// No paper towels in employee restroom 6-301.11 Provide a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder or bar soap at each handwashing sink or group of 2 adjacent handwashing sinks. // No hand soap in employee restroom. (4 points)
    • Provide food safety training for all food handlers as required.// Food handler on duty with no food safety training; Food handlers available are all expired. (4 points)
    • Clean facilities (floors, walls, ceilings, ceiling/wall vent covers, fixtures, etc.) as often as necessary to maintain cleanliness.// (1) Clean flooring in WI cooler underneath shelving (2) Clean vent covers in WI cooler from dust accumulation (3) Clean walls in WI cooler from residue splatter. (2 points)
• FIELDSTOWN SHELL
  • Address: 930 Fieldstown Rd, Gardendale 35071
  • Date of inspection: Oct. 15, 2026
  • Score: 79
    • Maintain TCS food at 41°F or below.// Raw shell eggs, milk, cheese, sandwiches with meat and cheese in cold holding ranging in temperature between 46°F-and 56°F. COS- PIC discarded all foods. (5 points)
    • 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).// Interior of ice machine soiled with pinkish orange and black residue. (5 points)
    • Store first aid supplies in a kit away from food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service/single-use articles.// Band aids stored directly next to exposed probe of thermometer, on make table. (5 points)
      • Reinspected on Oct. 22 and now has a score of 93.
• O TASTE & SEE
  • Address: 7001 Crestwood Blvd, Birmingham 35210
  • Date of inspection: Oct. 22, 2026
  • Score: 82
    • Provide backflow prevention device at all faucets where a hose is used.//Replace damaged backflow device on mop/utility sink. (5 points)
    • Provide enough equipment to maintain all cold-held TCS food at 41 F or below.//Double Door RI Cooler ambient air temperature at 53 F.//Turkey Wings and Mac&Cheese internal temp. at 51 F.//Remove all TCS food to another cooler to maintain a temp. at 41F or below. (4 points)
    • Use appropriate chemical test kits to accurately determine the concentration of the sanitizing solution.//Provide chlorine test strips to determine the concentration of the sanitizing solution. (4 points)
    • Cease wearing jewelry on the arms and hands (other than a plain ring) while preparing food.// 2-401.11 Store employee food and personal drinks in a designated area below and away from food, utensils, equipment, linens, and unwrapped single service/single use articles.//Employee wearing jewelry in the serving line.//Store employees personal drink away from food in double door RI cooler. (2 points)
• JOHNNY BRUSCOS NY STYLE PIZZA
  • Address: 2341 John Hawkins Pkwy, Hoover 35244
  • Date of inspection: Oct. 6, 2026
  • Score: 82
    • 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.// No Health Policy provided for any employees during inspection. COS PIC I provided a copy of the Health Policy and required signage from employees before the end of inspection. (5 points)
    • Clean equipment food contact surfaces and utensils to sight and touch. (choppers, slicers, mixers, utensils in storage)// Can opener blade soiled with residue and debris. COS PIC Voluntarily placed in 3 comp sink for wash rinse and sanitize. // Inside of ice machine soiled with dark residue. COS PIC Voluntarily shut down ice machine (4 points)
    • Provide food safety training for all food handlers as required.// Food safety training not provided for working employees in the kitchen. (4 points)
    • Cease smoking, eating, or drinking in areas where food, utensils, equipment, linens, or unwrapped single service/single use articles may become contaminated.// Red personal thermal cup on/under make table shelving. (2 points)
• HAMPTON INN
  • Address: 5526 Academy Ave, Bessemer 35022
  • Date of inspection: Oct. 27, 2026
  • Score: 84
    • Maintain TCS food at 41 F or below. /// Observed whipped cream and cream cheese cold holding at 50F. COS - PIC discarded. (5 points)
    • Provide water at a temperature of at least 100 F through a mixing valve or combination faucet at handwashing sinks. /// Hot water at the employee restroom handwash sinks reached between 75F-95F. (4 points)
    • Provide food safety training for all food handlers as required. /// Food handling certification not available. (4 points)
• TAQUERIA APATZINGAN
  • Address: 1625 Pinson Valley Pkwy, Tarrant 35217
  • Date of inspection: Oct. 20, 2026
  • Score: 84
    • Maintain TCS food at 41 F or below.// The following TCS items were out of temperature.: Beef stew 51F, chicken 48F, steak 49F. COS, voluntarily discarded. (5 points)
    • An employee or PIC with certification from an accredited food protection manager certification program or verification of attendance of an accredited program within the past 12 months, shall be on the premises during all hours of operation (Priority Category 3 and 4).// No certified manager on site. (4 points)
• BLUFF PARK WINGS & GRILL
  • Address: 755 Shades Mountain Plz, Hoover 35226
  • Date of inspection: Oct. 14, 2026
  • Score: 84
    • Maintain TCS food at 41°F or below. /// Observed out of temp 44°F-51°F chicken in the R.I. triple door cooler. COS - PIC discarded. Observed recently prepped out of temp cut tomatoes and cut lettuce in the make-table R.I. cooler. COS - PIC moved out of temp cut tomatoes and cut lettuce to the chest freezer. (5 points)
    • Maintain TCS food at 135°F or above. /// Observed cooked potatoes sitting in oven at 87°F. COS - PIC discarded. (5 points)
    • Clean facilities (floors, walls, ceilings, ceiling/wall vent covers, fixtures, etc.) as often as necessary to maintain cleanliness. /// Grime and debris observed on the floors/walls and ceiling. (2 points)

Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.