UPDATE: The Island Jerk Center passed its re-inspection with a 92.
But customers likely didn’t know it failed its previous health inspection with a 63 because the health score was hidden in the main kitchen, according to the Nov. 8 re-inspection.
Inspection reports are required to be within 15 feet of the main entrance and can be read from one foot away.
According to an inspector, the business had it’s report “behind blinds shades located behind a closed door to enter the main kitchen.”
It was one of the violations listed on the report.
Another violation: storing raw animal products in grocery bags.
Read the full re-inspection report here.
ORIGINAL STORY: "Numerous ants," dirty towels and soda were all found inside a hand washing sink for employees at the Island Jerk Center in Stone Mountain, according to a recent health inspection report.
The Jamaican restaurant scored a 63 on its health inspection Friday by the DeKalb County health department. Anything below 70 is considered failing.
Other violations include ready-to-eat okra sitting on top of raw beef, unlabeled chemical or toxic materials found in the main kitchen and bar area and various employee personal items stored with items for customers throughout the facility. An employee's purse was also said to be plopped on the food preparation area.
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Manager Ben Cross refuted much of the report and said he is dedicated to providing customers a clean eating environment.
“We take our cleaning seriously,” he said.
Cross said the dirty sink was likely due to an employee washing their hands after handling raw chicken. He also denied any cooked okra laying on raw beef, insisting he had two fridges — one for alcohol and the other for seafood — neither of which store cooked products.
Cross said he did not see any ants, but said they likely came in through the sink.
“Every week we have pest control companies come out,” he said. “So we do (take) preventative measures.”
As for the employee sitting her purse on the food prep area, Cross said she was on her way out when the inspector called her back in to assist with a task. When the employee reentered the kitchen, she sat her purse on the prep area. Cross said there is an area for employees to place their belongings.
While Cross said the restaurant is “one of the best when comes to cleanliness,” he acknowledged there is always room for improvement.
The restaurant has emphasized to employees they cannot have cellphones in work areas due to the likelihood of germs spreading, Cross said. He also keeps a handbook of the health codes for employees to read and then has them sign a contract saying they understand the regulations.
“I do take pride in maintaining a good score,” Cross said.
The restaurant received an 82 on an inspection in 2017 and 90 on one in 2016.
Read the full health inspection here.
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