Mississippi’s dining scene faces setbacks as Coast eateries repeatedly fail health inspections, spotlighting a critical need for change.
At a Glance
- Three Coast kitchens in Mississippi failed health inspections in the last two weeks.
- Ice Box of Lorraine faced repeat violations, including no certified manager.
- Staigle’s Steakhouse and Rouses Market deli also failed due to sanitation issues.
- Improvement noted post follow-up, but recurring issues persist.
Mississippi Kitchens Under Scrutiny
Three Coast dining establishments in Mississippi have recently been cited for serious health violations, following failed inspections by the Mississippi Health Department. Ice Box of Lorraine in Gulfport, Staigle’s Steakhouse in Wiggins, and Rouses Market deli in Gulfport faced the brunt for failing to maintain basic health and safety protocols. Violations included the absence of a certified manager during peak hours and poorly maintained food holding temperatures. Such glaring breaches underscore the urgency of adhering strictly to health standards.
Ice Box of Lorraine stood out for all the wrong reasons, failing inspections twice within a span of weeks. Initial evaluations pinpointed issues with hand washing facilities and the absence of a certified manager. While subsequent inspections showed some improvements, problems with hand washing facilities and food holding temperatures persisted, capping the facility with a “C” grading. This recurrence of problems calls for a serious look into the establishment’s operational standards.
Are Standards Being Compromised?
Staigle’s Steakhouse in Wiggins and Rouses Market deli weren’t far behind in their violations. Staigle’s faced problems ranging from improper eating practices to unsanitary food contact surfaces; they improved to a B grade after corrections. Rouses Market deli shared similar issues with certified manager absence and hot holding temperatures. Post-follow-up corrections at Rouses saw improvements, yet consistent failures indicate systemic issues with maintaining safety protocols and practices.
State health inspectors gave four kitchens in South Mississippi a C for critical violations so far in May, one twice when it failed again during a follow-up inspection.
The Mississippi Health Department requires restaurants to display their inspection grades conspicuously. Issues continue when facilities fail to honor this transparency, further entangling their reputation for safe dining. With 209 restaurants on the coast achieving A grades since May 8 and 105 establishments scoring A with zero violations in May, it shines an unflattering light on those failing to meet necessary standards.
Impacts and Ramifications
Recurring failures in these dining spots bring attention to the essential role of certified management and the importance of maintaining health protocols. The community deserves assurance that dining out won’t come with health risks. Consistent monitoring and stricter adherence to health guidelines are non-negotiable.
Restaurants and kitchens in Mississippi are rated “A” if they pass the health department inspection, “B” if all violations are corrected during the inspection and “C” if the violations are critical.
As consumers, maintaining vigilance and querying restaurant grades before dining can help spur establishments to uphold the highest standards. Rather than solely relying on post-incident corrections, preemptive adherence to health protocols must take precedence, lending to a safer dining experience for all.
