During a routine health inspection at Pho Tai, a Vietnamese restaurant in Norcross, dead roaches were in a dry mixture, and a food strainer, propped against the interior of the waste receptacle, was twice returned to a pot of soup.

The restaurant had multiple critical violations resulting in a failing score of 37/U, down from 86/B earned in December.

Among other violations, the interior of the ice machine had a mold-like substance, and the dishwasher was not properly sanitizing dishes.

Two containers of noodles were past the time control for food safety and were discarded. Cooked potatoes were cooling improperly and were at unsafe temperatures. Raw beef and soup were thawing at room temperature.

Pho Tai, 1560 Indian Trail Lilburn Road, will be re-inspected.

In another note, Botica, a Mexican restaurant at 1820 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, pulled its health score back to an A, scoring 98/A on a follow-up inspection.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Linda Tran works with staff to prepare large platters for each table during the Thanksgiving Celebration at the First Senior Center on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Norcross. Linda and her sister Von Tran, who jointly operate the First Senior Center, are refugees with a harrowing survival story of leaving Vietnam as children. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Marquay Collins reviews Hattie B's in Atlanta in a video posted on Nov. 10, 2025. (marquaythegoat/TikTok)

Credit: @marquaythegoat