Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (2024)

More than a dozen restaurants in Madison County scored 84 or below during county Health Department inspections in January, meaning they will get a repeat visit from a health inspector within 60 days.

Among the infractions observed by inspectors were live roaches, “gray fuzz” on fruit and “black and brown residue” in an ice machine.

Here are the lowest rated Madison County restaurants for January from highest score to lowest:

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (1)

Whataburger

11701 S. Memorial Pkwy., Huntsville

Score: 84

An inspector who visited the fast food chain on Jan. 24 observed the “presence of live roaches in the establishment,” according to the health department.

Meanwhile, sanitizing solution used to clean dishes did not have the proper concentration.

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (2)

El Olmeca

6966 Hwy. 431, Hampton Cove

Score: 83

El Olmeca did not have anyone on site who could prove they completed a food safety course when an inspector stopped by on Jan. 25.

There was also nobody in charge when the inspector asked for that person.

The inspector also found that no kitchen employees signed an employee health agreement.

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (3)

Another Broken Egg Café

300 Pelham Ave., Suite A-1, Huntsville

Score: 81

“Gray fuzz found on several blackberries,” the health inspector wrote following a Jan. 25 visit.

Foods were also found to be kept at improper temperatures.

There was also no chlorine solution during the sanitization cycle of the warewashing machine.

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (4)

Checkers Lad 2 Foods, Inc.

4000 University Dr., Huntsville

Score: 80

No employees could prove they had certification from an approved safety course when an inspector whoed up on Jan. 24.

There was also no toilet paper in the bathroom.

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (5)

Waffle House #2116

408 Pratt Ave., Huntsville

Score: 79

When an inspector visited on Jan. 25, they found dirty cups and mugs were being stored with clean ones.

The inspector also observed “black residue” in the ice chute of the ice machine.

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (6)

Pizza Hut #36059

2417 N. Memorial Pkwy., Huntsville

Score: 84

Pizza Hut lacked employees who passed an approved safety course during a Jan. 8 inspection.

Pepperoni, ham and bacon were also kept at inappropriate temperatures.

No approved food safety course

Pepperoni ham bacon inappropriate temperatures.

Mini Mart #2

4302 University Dr., Huntsville

Score: 82

An inspector noticed residue in the ice machine on Jan. 10

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (7)

Cracker Barrel

2001 Drake Ave. SW, Huntsville

Score: 80

Dirty dishes and bowls were stored with clean ones during a Jan. 8 inspection.

Gray fuzz was found on strawberries.

There was also no one who took a certified food safety course.

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (8)

The Hideaway Bar and Grille

3228 Lodge Rd., Suite G, Huntsville

Score: 79

There was buildup in the interior of the ice machine during a Jan. 9 inspection.

Raw chicken left out to thaw for seven hours had a temperature of 69 degrees; the chicken was then thrown out.

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (9)

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill

214 Oakwood Ave. NE, Huntsville

Score: 79

“Black residue” was found in the ice chute and soda nozzles during a Jan. 4 inspection.

The inspector observed an employee touching ready to eat food with their bare hands.

There was also no employees who took a certified food safety course.

Waffle House #2295

11879 Hwy. 231/431, Meridianville

Score: 78

This inspection on Jan. 23 was actually a follow-up inspection.

The Waffle House had to close due to an emergency. There was no hot water in the building but the issue was fixed the same day.

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (10)

Chuy’s

935 Bob Wallace Ave. SW, Huntsville

Score: 76

Strawberries with gray fuzz were noticed during a Jan. 10 inspection.

Chuy’s also stored dirty utensils with clean ones.

Meanwhile, shredded cheese was not discarded after four hours.

Fusion Foods LLC

1300 Meridian St. N, Unit D, Huntsville

Score: 75

The inspector noticed black residue in the ice chute on Jan. 9.

There was no hand soap or paper towels in the hand sink and the establishment did not have a food thermometer to check temperatures.

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (11)

Hildegard’s

2357-C Whitesburg Dr. SE, Huntsville

Score: 73

An employee was seen grabbing and preparing ready to eat food with their bare hands during a Jan. 4 inspection.

Black residue was also in the ice chute of the ice machine.

A dirty can opener blade was stored on the prep table.

There was also no chlorine solution during the sanitizing cycle of the warewashing machine.

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (12)

Commerce Kitchen

300 Franklin St., Huntsville

Score: 72

During a Jan. 9 inspection, an inspector noticed black residue in the ice chute.

An employee was preparing ready to eat food without gloves.

Foods were also being kept at inappropriate temperatures.

Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (13)

Church Street Purveyor

201 Jefferson St. Suite, Huntsville

Score: 70

With a score of 70 after a Jan. 4 inspection, Church Street Purveyor had the lowest rating of any Madison County establishment in January.

“Black and brown residue” was observed in the ice chute of the ice machine.

Dirty utensils were stored with clean ones.

Drinking glasses and utensils were being stored in the hand sink of the bar.

The establishment could not show that employees signed health agreements.

Stories by Howard Koplowitz

Alabama congressman posts controversial ‘Appeal to Heaven’ flag shortly before Trump verdict
8 sentenced to federal prison for selling stolen military equipment from Anniston Army Depot
Alabama woman who called authorities ‘in great distress’ killed by ex-husband in murder-suicide
ALEA worked 6 traffic deaths, 1 boating fatality over Memorial Day weekend; 1 swimmer rescued
Suspect captured, charged with murder in shooting that left Montgomery woman dead, another hurt

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.