Posted on 09/13/2025 12:16:11 AM PDT by xxqqzz
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The eatery with the failing health score is in Cumberland County. There were a lot of problems with food temperatures.
The grade is a 67 at Cracker Barrel, the one in Crossville. That 67 is a failing score. A grade of 69 and below is considered failing.
To begin with, the inspector observed one of the cooks touching and handling bacon with his bare hands. Gloves are required to be worn whenever handling food. Hot water running through the dishwasher at 152 degrees wasn’t hot enough. Even after several attempts, it didn’t reach the proper hot temperature of 160 degrees and above.
The inspector wrote that an employee with an “unrestrained large beard” was working on the cook line, preparing food. He should have been wearing a “beard net” to prevent any potential contamination of the food he was preparing.
Food was found out of temperature. Raw steak, hamburger patties, catfish, and country ham ranged from 49 to 56 degrees. But 41 and below is the correct cool temperature. The last reading shown on the temperature check list had been taken the day before the inspection, and the manager didn’t know how long the food had been out of temperature. As a result, 45 pounds of food were thrown away to prevent any potential foodborne illness.
Finally, the inspector wrote that the person in charge showed no managerial control because of so many critical violations. The inspector returned to the Cracker Barrel in Crossville for a follow-up. The original critical violations were checked, and they were corrected. The restaurant scored a passing second inspection grade of 92.
(Excerpt) Read more at wate.com ...
Our last attempt to eat at a Cracker Barrel was disappointing in that a few of the employees were the blue or purple hair variety with tats and metal studs all over the place and had obvious attitudes.
We opted to go to the Texas Roadhouse across the street. The employees there were normal and very courteous.
“A grade of 69 and below is considered failing.”
Any time my wife and I go out to dinner, first thing she looks at is the health score. Just this week, for our anniversary we went out to a beautiful restaurant to celebrate. The restaurant scored a 94. She refused to eat there.
don’t order the tossed salad
—
If that’s the case, then all other food is suspect. Find another restaurant.
LOL, didn’t see that coming….😁
I’m not advocating for poor health conditions, additionally my parents owned a good restaurant while I was growing up and I have worked in numerous restaurants as assistant manager...
That being said, if you have clean hands you can touch, manipulate and cook said food. We are over-gloved.
Ever watch a cooking show where steak, burger or chicken is being cooked? Here’s the line: “bring it to room temperature first...”
No doubt this place was disgusting but a decent conversation with the health inspector might have helped...and don’t get me started about the politics of health inspectors..
I would not like to be in the restaurant business today.
I was a Pizza Hut cook in 1982. We always passed our health inspections, but we never, ever, had to wear plastic gloves. I sometimes sampled the meats and cheese while making the pizza. I guess I wouldn’t survive in the business today. To my knowledge, no one got sick. Our cooler was nice and cold.
How’s the “food” at the Street Taco food trucks parked in the parking lots all around the nation doing? I’ll bet it’s tough trying to keep that crap at the correct temperatures.
To begin with, the inspector observed one of the cooks touching and handling bacon with his bare hands.
Bet inspector never visited a Mexican food joint Loa Angeles.
Oh My God would ensue.
I was disappointed when they started serving liquor.
“152 degrees” ????
I can imagine the bacteria test results in that kitchen.
Makes my stomach turn.
My cousin was a restaurant inspector for the health department. Shortly after she started, her supervisor said, “You’re going to have to ease up a bit, or we’ll have to shut down every restaurant in town”. (She has a Masters in plant biology).
Just like beer.
SAME APPLIES TO BEER
HAVE NEVER SEEN GORDON RAMSEY USING GLOVES
<;-)
I agree!
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