Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, âgray fuzzâ and âblack and brown residueâ
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:
The exterior of a Whataburger restaurant. (Whataburger)
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.
![El Olmeca](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-1.jpg)
El OlmecaFacebook
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.
![another broken egg cafe](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-2.jpg)
Crab cakes and green tomatoes at Another Broken Egg Café.
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.
![Checkers](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-3.jpg)
CheckersFacebook
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.
![ALWAYS OPEN](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-4.jpg)
Even on Christmas, most Waffle Houses are open. Photo By Terry Pluto / Cleveland.com
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.
![Pizza Hut is giving away 500,000 free pizzas to 2020 high school graduates: Here’s how to get one](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-5.jpg)
Pizza Hut sign. (Shutterstock image)
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
![Cracker Barrel](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-6.jpg)
Dirty dishes and bowls were stored with clean ones during a Jan. 8 inspection at a Huntsville Cracker Barrel
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.
![The Hideaway Bar and Grille](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-7.jpg)
The Hideaway Bar and GrilleFacebook
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.
![Dairy Queen](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-8.jpg)
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill (Photo credit Dairy Queen)
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.
![chuy's huntsville](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-9.jpg)
Chuy’s in HuntsvillePaul Gattis
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.
![Hildegard's German Cuisine](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-10.jpg)
Jaeger Schnitzel is the most popular item on the menu at Hildegard’s German Cuisine in Huntsville. (Facebook photo courtesy Hildegard’s German Cuisine)
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.
![Commerce Kitchen in Huntsville, Ala.](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-11.jpg)
The shrimp and grits at Commerce Kitchen in Huntsville, Ala., feature fresh Gulf shrimp and stone-ground Falls Mill grits with crispy bacon, spinach, tomato and a parmesan cream sauce.(Photo courtesy of Boyce Restaurant Concepts; used with permission)
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.
![Church Street Purveyor](https://mentonealabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/madison-county-restaurants-with-worst-health-scores-roaches-ac280c298gray-fuzzac280c299-and-ac280c298black-and-brown-residueac280c299-12.jpg)
Church Street Purveyor in HuntsvilleChurch Street Purveyor/Facebook
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.