Red Lobster In Savannah Fails Health Inspection With Score Of 59: Here’s Why

A popular seafood restaurant in Savannah failed its latest health inspection after inspectors found serious food safety problems.

What’s Happening: Red Lobster on West Montgomery Cross Road scored 59 out of 100 during a routine inspection on Oct. 21. The restaurant stayed open.

• The health department requires restaurants to score at least 70 to pass.
• Inspectors found problems with food storage, cleaning, and temperature control.

What’s Important: Inspectors found coconut shrimp and calamari stored overnight at unsafe temperatures above 41 degrees. The manager threw away the food.

The Problems Found: The restaurant had no hot water at a hand washing sink near where servers pick up food. Inspectors also found workers reheating alfredo sauce and lobster bisque on a steam table instead of heating them to safe temperatures first.

• Workers fixed the reheating problem during the inspection by heating the food to at least 165 degrees.
• The hot water problem was not fixed during the inspection.

Other Issues: Inspectors found food stored without covers throughout the kitchen, including french fries, coleslaw, pasta, corn, potatoes, breading, and crispy onions. Workers covered the food during the inspection.

Between the Lines: This is not the first time the restaurant has had these problems. Inspectors marked several violations as repeat issues, including uncovered food storage, cold food held at wrong temperatures, and dirty equipment.

What Else: Inspectors found fruit flies at the bar, food debris on a can opener blade, buildup inside an ice machine, and grease on floors, walls, and ceilings.

The Sources: Chatham County Health Department.