Knox restaurant's health score may be lowest ever

Sunday, November 9, 2008


KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- There were several low health inspection scores this week in Knox County, but one restaurant received the lowest health grade recorded in the last decade.
That restaurant, China Star Buffet on Kingston Pike, has failed two previous health inspections in the last 18

In August, manager Henry Lee took 6 News on a tour of the buffet bar and assured us the food was steaming hot. That was in mid-July after the restaurant received a grade of 41.
In contrast to this week's score, that was a good score. This time, China Star Buffet's grade is a 23.
Below 70 is considered "unsanitary" by the health department.
Just to hit the highlights, the health inspector found that food temperatures were again wrong for proper storage. Mussels, chicken, flounder and eggs were ordered thrown out because they weren't hot enough.
Rotten vegetables were discovered in the food storage room. When the inspector peeked under the sushi counter, he found a nest of mice. What's worse, on the kitchen floor there was raw sewage.
The health department shut down China Star for a day last week and had a long session with restaurant management this week.
Health department officials decided China Star Buffet will be inspected weekly, not every six months as required.
If the restaurant fails its next inspection, the restaurant's permit will be revoked.

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