Chattanooga, August 14, 2025
News Summary
The health departments of Hamilton, Catoosa, and Walker Counties have published restaurant inspection scores for the week ending August 12. Notable findings include low scores for Crust Pizza and Scottie’s On The River, while popular chains like Arby’s and Domino’s received perfect scores. Inspections evaluate adherence to health standards, revealing areas for improvement among local dining establishments. The public is encouraged to report health-related concerns to their respective health departments as part of ongoing efforts to enhance food safety practices.
Chattanooga
The health departments of Hamilton County, Catoosa County, and Walker County have released inspection scores for local restaurants for the week ending August 12. The establishments are assessed on a 100-point scale, with several notable findings highlighting varying compliance levels with health standards.
Among the inspected restaurants, Crust Pizza, located at 3211 S. Broad St., received the lowest score of 67. This venue faced multiple violations, including insufficient managerial control over foodborne illness risk factors, a lack of hand soap at designated washing stations, and improper food storage temperatures. Other issues noted were severely dented canned goods and a buildup of food debris on kitchen equipment. Despite these findings, the health department indicates scores reflect original inspections, and subsequent changes might not be reflected until the next assessment.
Scottie’s On The River, situated at 491 Riverfront Parkway, scored 77. The inspection revealed that the person in charge was not effectively managing food safety risks, and the establishment had issues such as missing shellstock tags and a dish machine failing to reach proper sanitation temperatures.
Conga Kitchen, located at 26 E. Main St., Suite 102, earned a score of 79. Violations included employees drinking coffee near food preparation areas and improper storage of raw fish and raw chicken. A concern was also raised regarding unlabeled food items stored incorrectly, leading to potential health risks.
Higher Scores Reported
On a more positive note, local establishments also received commendable scores, with approximately one-third achieving a perfect score of 100. High performers included multiple well-known franchises such as Arby’s, Chuck E. Cheese, and Domino’s.
Specific commendable scores include:
- 96 – Sugar’s Ribs, 2450 15th Ave.
- 97 – Carving Rock Kitchen, 301 E. M.L. King Blvd., Suite 105
- 99 – Central Park, 794 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe
- 91 scores were noted for Hardee’s and Zaxby’s, among others.
Consumer Actions and Health Department Efforts
The local health departments actively encourage consumer awareness regarding food safety. They provide a reliable contact system for complaints related to health issues. Residents can address concerns by contacting:
- Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department: 423-209-8110
- Catoosa County Health Department: 706-406-2030
- Walker County Health Department: 706-639-2574
Health departments conduct bi-annual inspections and quickly reinspect any establishment that fails to meet critical health standards. This proactive approach ensures compliance and aims to improve public health safety in local dining establishments.
Overall, while many restaurants showcased exemplary standards, others must make significant improvements to avoid potential health risks. Consistent monitoring and community engagement remain essential in promoting high food safety standards across the region.
FAQ Section
What criteria do health departments use to score restaurants?
Health departments inspect food service establishments on a 100-point scale, assessing various factors related to food safety, hygiene, and proper management practices.
How often are local restaurants inspected?
Restaurants in Hamilton, Catoosa, and Walker Counties are inspected twice a year to ensure compliance with health standards.
What happens if a restaurant receives a low inspection score?
If a restaurant scores poorly, the health department schedules a reinspection to ensure compliance with health regulations.
How can consumers report health-related complaints?
Consumers can file complaints by contacting their respective health department offices for Hamilton, Catoosa, and Walker Counties.
Which restaurants achieved the highest scores this week?
Establishments such as Arby’s, Chuck E. Cheese, and Domino’s achieved perfect scores of 100, with several others also receiving high praises.
Key Features of Local Restaurant Inspections
| Establishment | Score | Key Issues (if any) |
|---|---|---|
| Crust Pizza | 67 | Poor managerial control, improper food storage |
| Scottie’s On The River | 77 | Missing tags, improper sanitation levels |
| Conga Kitchen | 79 | Food storage violations |
| Sugar’s Ribs | 96 | No key issues reported |
| Central Park | 99 | No key issues reported |
| Arby’s | 100 | No key issues reported |
| Chuck E. Cheese | 100 | No key issues reported |
| Domino’s | 100 | No key issues reported |
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Unwashed avocados, chips on the floor, Chattanooga
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- Local 3 News: More than 50 businesses receive perfect health inspection score in TN Valley
- Google Search: Restaurant Health Inspection Standards
- Wish TV: See how Hamilton Co. restaurants did on their latest inspections
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health
- Times Free Press: Rodent droppings, insect activity in Chattanooga area
- Google News: Health Department Restaurant Inspections
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
