UPDATE: The restaurant was reinspected Tuesday and received a 73/C. New violations include aprons stored on the floor, food preparation sinks being used for cleaning pots and a wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
ORIGINAL STORY (June 15): A downtown lunch spot failed a recent health inspection, with officials noting "heavy fruit fly activity in the main kitchen."
Sausalito West Coast Grill, located at 1389 Peachtree St., scored a 44/U following the Wednesday evaluation; 69 and below is considered failing. Its prior score, from August, was a 98.
According to the report, there was a "failure to properly separate food in multiple refrigeration units."
Officials also reported uncovered food in refrigerators and hand sinks that were blocked by rolling carts.
MORE: Would your kitchen pass a health inspection? AJC dining editor puts herself to the test
MORE: Landmark Diner Jr. passes reinspection, though food debris noted
Owner Ernesto Araya disagrees with the score.
"The place is clean,” Araya said in an interview Thursday, adding that he’s been in the restaurant industry for more than four decades. The inspector asked Araya if he wanted to voluntarily close, but he did not because many of the violations were corrected on-site, he said.
That exchange is formally noted on the report: “The facility must voluntarily close. (The facility declined to close.)”
The restaurant, which remains open, must correct all violations by June 24, according to the report.
Sausalito West Coast Grill
1422 West Peachtree St.
Atlanta, GA 30309
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