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:
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (1) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/PYQSNF7DMND7LC5LL3IH3QS45E.png?auth=220111c28e5dfc6d149fb3b9eca3fa90e6f285ab37ad4d489bfd5f927712280a&width=500&quality=90)
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.
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (2) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/TGZMT2KTUFE7ZFVRU5RSO2I74E.jpg?auth=6b313ec36ba77b658c8824a51de2b418e7b5e518432c12ee333ab8cc50cc9187&width=500&quality=90)
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.
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (3) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/UX5XW4JO7FEO7BM2Y7FLTV5GJ4.jpeg?auth=8c6ca4c9e829f9d16acebdefdfc048c33a8f2473cc04cf9d044e6da76edacdd8&width=500&quality=90)
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.
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (4) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/WFS646OYHBB3FDFDQ5J3BEKZNA.jpg?auth=c091f8576c2b465b1344f5ee4d8c7528a52283b94d4c68d6010c40f45cec1f82&width=500&quality=90)
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.
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (5) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/GDO5G3FM2VC6XIY4X45R6ODTT4.jpg?auth=08220aefbbc6b320e13ce07fbd0f55ba35e60fbcb3b14f967bd55074a9ec33d8&width=500&quality=90)
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.
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (6) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/XUCISWSECVD3TCXR2VOHD4XANE.jpg?auth=372fe0e31d92629dc9dff4a691c06d053a0fa90896864823b98ba4b31a0e0ee5&width=500&quality=90)
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
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (7) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/NXTY74CQ6BH63GENVVXUHPK6I4.jpg?auth=8c4dfefe64db2e059fdeba63534df716db0caa13a43f837d82fc92e596680d48&width=500&quality=90)
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.
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (8) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/6TDUX52WLJFQRDPKEGCUFIY6SQ.jpg?auth=1b4b53ee280befa416142c07f99f4e8f47b0d13bf4e29756b514bf594572ac90&width=500&quality=90)
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.
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (9) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (9)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/L7IISJLVBJGYZAXBZT4OPYNRGA.jpeg?auth=4836c507671a4c6998495ef2a2b11be702953bb4adad39830ca5e9fcf13f1560&width=500&quality=90)
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.
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (10) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (10)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/VPS7AJ5HUVD4ZPILU5QZWOMSEU.jpeg?auth=41a7fe697bd8945992e60d0bf44d82182dfe17d0473b3dc793fbf247f1377636&width=500&quality=90)
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.
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (11) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (11)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/XTETUSFLB5BVDBQHSCCPEONKVA.jpg?auth=4fa3eeb808181f3d2c0c5bd3d0142856fa45f5f9531eb8e15c3fac8257322690&width=500&quality=90)
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.
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (12) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (12)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/7I3Y4G7FGRFUZDZ2BD4V4UDAWY.jpg?auth=90babc8a57226cb680ed8a8673e78c6220f170cfea9e82141b94fc9f84312d9d&width=500&quality=90)
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.
![Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (13) Madison County restaurants with worst health scores: Roaches, ‘gray fuzz’ and ‘black and brown residue’ (13)](https://i0.wp.com/www.al.com/resizer/v2/CLZRMOOTWRDV7DXE6CXPB2A2AI.jpg?auth=58654bf2b4191e8b9bd2914c64431077fca1fddd124aab6815cd5fed8bd29b72&width=500&quality=90)
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.
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