Greenville County, South Carolina, October 4, 2025
News Summary
Recent inspections by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture in Greenville County have uncovered several health violations across numerous restaurants. Of the 354 establishments inspected, 323 received satisfactory A grades, while others faced serious issues including improper food handling and cleanliness concerns. Notably, Taqueria Restaurant Simon and Coronitas Mexican Restaurant dropped in scores following inspections. The inspections highlight the critical need for restaurants to maintain rigorous food safety standards.
Out of the 354 inspections, 323 restaurants were awarded A grades, while 28 restaurants received B grades, and 6 earned C grades. Notably, two restaurants that received B grades dropped to C grades upon follow-up inspections, raising concerns about consistent food safety practices in the area.
Among the establishments, Taqueria Restaurant Simon in Mauldin received a score of 70 (C) on September 18. This inspection flagged several violations, including employees handling food without gloves, improperly stored cooked items at unsafe temperatures, and a lack of labels and dates on various food items. The restaurant also had multiple items stored on the floor and plumbing issues under the handwashing sink.
Upon follow-up inspection on September 22, Taqueria Restaurant Simon posted a marginal improvement with a score of 87 (C), although temperature violations continued to be a concern.
Similarly, Coronitas Mexican Restaurant, during an inspection on September 9, scored 70 (C) due to employees failing to wash hands between tasks and using the hand sink as a dumping area. The follow-up inspection on September 12 showed slight improvement, resulting in a score of 77 (C).
In another case, La Reata on Wade Hampton Boulevard received a score of 78 (B) on September 18. This establishment had issues, including rotten vegetables within the kitchen equipment and the presence of cockroaches above the ice machine. A subsequent inspection showed marked improvement, raising the score to 95, with only minor deductions noted.
Osaka Japanese Grill in Greer had a score of 75 (C), facing immediate concerns such as the absence of proof for seafood parasite destruction and dirty equipment. Follow-up inspections showed that corrections made raised the grade to an A.
The Clock Restaurant in Greer experienced a fluctuation in grades, receiving scores of 83 (B), then a C, and ultimately achieving an A in successive inspections, although it faced temperature and cleanliness issues during the inspections.
Additionally, Tropical Burger 2 scored 81 (B) and 85 (C) due to violations including the lack of proper hand-drying materials in the women’s restroom and insufficient food labeling.
Common violations observed across these establishments included improper food handling practices, inadequate storage practices, and cleanliness issues, emphasizing the continuous need for stringent food safety measures.
The recent statewide inspections reinforce the importance of routine checks to prevent health risks and ensure compliance with fundamental food safety standards. Restaurant owners are urged to prioritize health regulations to maintain public safety and confidence.
Inspection Grades Summary
- A Grades: 323 restaurants
- B Grades: 28 restaurants
- C Grades: 6 restaurants
Common Violations Reported
- Improper food handling
- Inadequate food storage temperatures
- Lack of labeling for food items
- Cleanliness issues in food preparation areas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many restaurants were inspected in Greenville County during September?
Inspectors with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture inspected 354 restaurants in Greenville County during September, conducting routine and follow-up visits.
What were the inspection results for Taqueria Restaurant Simon?
Taqueria Restaurant Simon in Mauldin received a score of 70 (C) on September 18, with violations including an employee handling a tortilla with bare hands and improper temperatures for cooked items.
What common violations were observed across the restaurants?
Continuous violations included improper storage practices and unclean food handling practices across multiple establishments.
Chart: Key Features of Restaurant Inspections in Greenville County
| Restaurant Name | Initial Grade | Follow-up Grade | Major Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taqueria Restaurant Simon | 70 (C) | 87 (C) | Improper food handling, temperature violations |
| Coronitas Mexican Restaurant | 70 (C) | 77 (C) | Employee hygiene violations |
| La Reata | 78 (B) | 95 (A) | Rodent issues, food storage temperatures |
| Osaka Japanese Grill | 75 (C) | A | Food safety failures |
| The Clock Restaurant | 83 (B) | A | Cleanliness issues |
| Tropical Burger 2 | 81 (B) | 85 (C) | Labeling and hygiene violations |
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Additional Resources
- The State: Health Inspections
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- Greenville Online: Health Inspections
- Google Search: Food Inspection Standards
- Independent Mail: Anderson County Food Inspections
- Google Scholar: Restaurant Health Violations
- Greenville Online: July Inspection Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Inspections
- Greenville Online: June Inspection Grades
- Google News: Restaurant Health Inspections
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
