The following are among the food-service establishments inspected in December by the Liberty County Health Department. The department scores on a 100-percentile scale. Kitchens are inspected at least every four months and are required to post their score sheets in public. The score and selected comments from health inspectors are included in each report. To view all restaurant scores, go to dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health-inspections.

Dec. 8
• Sumo Japanese Restaurant, 551 W. Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville. Score: 100. Grade: A.
Remarks: (1) Pre-operational inspection. Before facility opens to the public need to install a curtain or separation between the kitchen and the bathrooms.
• Sumo Japanese Restaurant, 551 W. Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville. Score: 98. Grade: A.
Remarks: (1) Observed low water pressure at handwashing sink in the kitchen New violation. (2) Need to check sealant on concrete walls, cash register area and soda distribution. (3) Need to label meat sink and vegetable sink. If there are violations with the two sinks being connected, the owner will have to install splash guards between the sinks. (4) Need written statement on where employees can take smoke breaks and lunch breaks. (5) Need additional information on the equipment used in the facility.

Dec. 9
• Margie’s Southern Cooking, 1696 Shaw Rd., Hinesville. Score: 91. Grade: A.
Remarks: (1) Potentially hazardous food (rice) not held at 135 degrees or above. Corrected on site by reheating food in the microwave. New violation. (2) Observed bulk containers of spice and uncooked rice with cups stored inside. Corrected on site by removing cups. (3) Make sure raw meat is stored under ready-to-eat food and vegetables in the refrigerator. (4) If food in the warmer/steam table is below 135 degrees during next inspection, food will be discarded. Suggest owner store rice in rice cooker instead of steam table because owner complained of the steam table burning the rice. (5) Talked to owner about new rules and regulations; will mail the owner information.
• Ole Times Country Buffet, 741 E. Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville. Score: 93. Grade: A.
Remarks: (1) Observed boxes of food stored under a leaking compressor. Need to repair compressor or move food from under compressor. New violation. (2) Observed paint chipping from ceiling in the kitchen area. Manager stated that they are going to replace the ceiling tiles on Thursday. New violation. (3) Observed large gap on the back door of the smoke house area. New violation. (4) Observed employees touching clean and dirty dishware with the same gloves. Employee needs to wash hands in between. (5) Observed employee use water hose to rinse out black containers. Need to wash, rinse and sanitize equipment. (6) Observed grease build-up on vent hoods in the frying station and grill station. (7) The sliced melons were put in the walk-in cooler to decrease temperature and macaroni and okra were placed on the oven to increase temperature. (8) EH needs drawings and additional equipment specifications on smoke house. (9) Need to check the thermometer on dishwasher to make sure it is working properly.
• Taco Tortilla, 549 W. Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville. Score: 100. Grade: A.
Remarks: None.