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Mecklenburg County Health Dept
Public Health Inspections
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Premises Information

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NameLEMPIRA RESTAURANT- CENTRAL
Address4439 CENTRAL AV
 
City/State/ZIP
CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Premise Type1 - Restaurant
CountyMecklenburg
Inspection Date 3/27/2025
Final Score @ Grade
96 A
General Comments

Violations

 
CDI=Corrected During Inspection  R=Repeat Violation  VR=Verification Required 
Violation Item Demerits Violation Description CDIRVRComments
15 0 Food separated & protected Yes No No 3-302.11(A)(1) Separate raw animal foods from ready-to-eat foods and washed/unwashed fruits and vegetables. -P -Observed raw chicken stored above uncovered plantains in the WIC. -CDI- PIC corrected storage order. For more information on food storage order please visit: https://health.mecknc.gov/envhealth/food-and-facilities-sanitation
16 0 Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized Yes No No 4-501.114 Maintain sanitizer at correct concentrations when being used to sanitize. -P -Observed sanitizer concentration at less than 0ppm chlorine in the three-compartment sink when actively sanitizing dishes. -CDI- PIC added more sanitizer and increased sanitizer concentration to 50ppm chlorine. For more information please visit: https://health.mecknc.gov/envhealth/food-and-facilities-sanitation or view our training videos at the following weblinks: Sanitizing Solutions - https://youtu.be/ykP2mr9CtRg and How to Test Sanitizer https://youtu.be/y0SjmnabFaY
20 1.50 Proper cooling time & temperatures Yes Yes No 3-501.14(A) Quickly cool cooked foods within 2 hours from 135F to 70F; and within a total of 6 hours from 135F to 41F. -P. -Observed large container of chicharron not meet cooling parameters after cooling overnight in WIC. Observed fried chicharron at 48F, after not being moved out of WIC since last night. -CDI- PIC voluntarily discarded the chicharron. For more information please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Cooling Food Safely https://youtu.be/P6x8b1ZVOxU .
21 0 Proper hot holding temperatures Yes No No 3-501.16(A)(1) Maintain TCS foods in hot holding at 135F or above. -P -Observed sausage and veggies hot holding on the stovetop below 135F. -CDI- PIC reheated sausage/veggies to 165F. EHS and PIC discussed proper hot holding temperature of at least 135F, or the option of holding food on time (TPHC) for a maximum of 4 hours. If facility wishes to start using TPHC, PIC must have written TPHC procedures and always display a start/discard time on the food item. For more information, please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Safe Food Temperatures https://youtu.be/tXP09IK-1TQ .
33 1 Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control Yes Yes No 3-501.15 Quickly cool foods. Use methods such as open/vented shallow pans, large ice baths and active stirring. Cold air must flow around product to remove the heat. -Pf -Observed large container of chicharron not meet cooling parameters after cooling overnight in WIC. Observed fried chicharron at 48F, stored in large plastic container and covered with lid. -CDI- PIC voluntarily discarded the chicharron. EHS and PIC discussed more efficient methods of cooling, including storing food in more shallow, metal pans and leaving them uncovered. For more information, please visit: https://health.mecknc.gov/envhealth/food-and-facilities-sanitation or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://youtu.be/bRvqAETDjQU and Cooling Food Safely https://youtu.be/P6x8b1ZVOxU .
42 0 Washing fruits & vegetables No No No 3-302.15 Wash fruits and vegetables prior to use. -Observed avocados, stored as clean/washed, with their stickers still intact. EHS and PIC discussed removing stickers when properly washing fruits and vegetables.
48 0.50 Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips Yes No No 4-302.13 (B) Provide an approved Max/Min thermometer for testing sanitizing temperatures in hot water warewashing machines. The thermometer must be readily accessible. -Pf -Observed a non functioning max/min thermometer, without batteries, to test the hot-water sanitizing dish machine. -CDI- PIC obtained batteries during inspection and EHS observed functioning thermometer.
55 1 Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean No Yes No 6-501.11 Floors, walls, and ceilings including the attachments such as soap and towel dispensers; light fixtures; and heat/ac vents shall be maintained in good repair. Observed exposed concrete in WIC. Exposed concrete is absorbent to liquids and not easily cleanable. Resurface flooring.