Health Inspectors Impound Mr. Pete's Ice Cream Machine

A variety of health concerns caused county inspectors to shut down Mr. Pete's Burgers for one day this month.

The restaurant was storing soft-serve ice cream mix at 73 degrees, raw steak at 52 degrees and raw chicken bits at 50 degrees, according to a health inspection report. County standards require food to be stored below 41 degrees or above 135 degrees.

After the Sept. 17 visit, county health officials impounded the burger shop's soft serve ice cream machine.

In addition to food storage problems, the restaurant's plumbing was inadequate, the health agency said. The men's restroom was inoperable and buckets were storing sink drain water, which was no longer hooked up to the sewer line.

After a follow-up inspection Sept. 18, the restaurant was allowed to reopen.

Another inspection on Sept. 25 found six minor violations. They included chicken breasts stored at 43 degrees and raw beef at 42 degrees inside the walk-in refrigerator.

Also, inspectors found "grime" inside the soft-serve ice cream machine, which was still not storing food at the proper temperature. The latest health permit was not being displayed properly, either.