Premises Information


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Name

MILLER'S COUNTRY STORE

Address

2144 NC-HWY 88

City/State/ZIP

WEST JEFFERSON

28694

Premise Type

2 - Food Stands

County

Ashe

Inspection Date

3/19/2026

Final Score @ Grade

99.50

General Comments

At EHS entry employee was cutting green peppers without gloves. It was reported that previous attempts to cut with gloves led to emergency room visit & deep multiple cuts. Gloves are only required for ready to eat foods that are not going to reach at least 145F during the cook process. Discussed that green peppers may reach 145F in pizza oven; however best practice is to wear gloves in case green peppers are ever offered as a topping for sandwich as ready to eat. Discussed using meat cutting gloves, and PIC reported that tighter fitting latex gloves may also be an option. Observed employee place hotdogs on tray beneath roller grill before placing on grill. Reported that these are placed on roller based on how many hotdogs are left on grill. CDI by moving this to grill. Discussed obtaining a sign that indicates not to take hotdogs behind sign that are still reheating.

Violations

CDI=Corrected During Inspection

R=Repeat Violation

VR=Verification Required

Violation Item	Demerits	Violation Description	CDI	R	VR	Comments
40	0.50	Personal cleanliness	Yes	Yes	No	2-402.11 Effectiveness - Hair Restraints (C)-Food employees shall wear effective hair restraints when working with exposed food & in warewashing area. Today employee working at sandwich prep /pizza make area did not have hair restraint. CDI by education & PIC using a hair net.
47	0	Equipment, food & non-food contact surfaces approved, cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used	No	Yes	No	4-501.12 Cutting Surfaces (C)-Cutting surfaces that are no longer easily cleanable shall be re-surfaced or replaced. Cutting board for pizza prep cooler had deep cuts/scoring on both sides. If this is can no longer be effectively cleaned, it should be replaced or re-surfaced. 4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment - Equipment (C)-Equipment shall be maintained in good repair & proper adjustment. 2 door freezer has ice buildup in middle section of shelves. PIC reported that condensate line has broken for second time after replacement. Continue to work on a solution to this issue. No food was stored in vicinity of ice.
55	0	Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean	No	Yes	No	6-501.11 Repairing - Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures - Methods (C)-Continue to seal wall corner to the left of the freezers, where it is flaking/peeling. Replace one water damaged ceiling tile in this area. Minor wall damage noted in public restroom, to left of sink, and left of toilet.