About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 2024)
4B Weekend Edition-February 23-24, 2024 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia I gainesvilletimes.com LIFE KITCHEN INSPECTIONS: FEB. 15-21, 2024 Times Staff Reports Two of this week's 30 food-service inspections in Hall County were notable: One was a reinspection of a restaurant that had previously scored a “C,” and another was an initial inspection of a popular downtown eatery that may soon reopen after a long hiatus. After scoring only a 70 when last inspected on Feb. 6, Zen Ramen & Sushi Burrito passed its reinspection on Feb. 19, scoring an 85 and a “B.” Restaurants that score below 80 are subject to reinspection, typically two weeks later. Zen Ramen's reinspection report is on the Georgia Department of Public Health's website. Also inspected this week was Scott's Downtown, which was forced to close in December 2022 after broken pipes caused extensive water damage. The restaurant was last inspected a few weeks before it was flooded. Scott's was most recently inspected on Feb. 15 and scored a 96 and “A.” Although owner Scott Dixon has not yet announced when his namesake restaurant will reopen, the fact that it's just been inspected suggests that it will be soon. Of the 28 other restaurants inspected, most scored an “A,” and 10 of them - including a pizza parlor and steak house - scored a perfect 100. Three of the 28 restaurants scored a “B.” This week's low score, 82, was earned by two different Mexican restaurants. How it works Food service establishments are given a letter grade that corresponds to a percentile: “A” (90-100), “B” (80-89), “C” (70-79), “U” (69 and below). Inspections (and their frequency) are conducted based on risk categorization. The risk type is determined by the menu items served, the food preparation processes performed and the previous food safety history in that establishment. A new food service establishment that has never served food must score 100 (A) to receive a permit to operate. When a restaurant changes ownership, a new food service permit must be issued. To be issued a permit for a change of ownership, the establishment must score a 95 (A) or above with all foodborne illness risk factors and public health interventions in compliance. Permits must be posted in public view at all times. Establishments with drive-thru windows are required to have the top one-third of a copy of the most current inspection report visible through each window, allowing customers to easily read the score, date of inspection and establishment information, in addition to the copy posted inside the establishment. Copies of the rules are available at the Hall County Environmental Health Office. The rules and regulations are also available online at dph.georgia.gov/ environmental-health-inspections. To register a complaint against a food service establishment, contact the Hall County Environmental Health Department at 770-531-3973. Latest scores FEB. 15 Pizza Hut #4810 Location: 7338 Spout Springs Road, Suite A4, Flowery Branch Score: 100, Grade: A Inspector: Brady Bowen Double D Burger - Base of Operation Location: 2236 Jesse Jewell Parkway SE, Gainesville Score: 92, Grade: A Inspector: DeShayla Bush Restaurante La Casa del Taco Location: 5533 Atlanta Highway, Flowery Branch Score: 96, Grade: A Inspector: Brady Bowen Scott’s Downtown Location: 131 Bradford St. NW, Gainesville Score: 96, Grade: A Inspector: Adetayo Adewolu Double D Burger Location: 2236 Jesse Jewell Parkway SE, Gainesville Score: 92, Grade: A Inspector: Brittney Trif New Horizon Lanier Park Location: 675 White Sulphur Road, Gainesville Score: 96, Grade: A Inspector: Brittney Trif Flowery Branch Elementary School Location: 5544 Radford Road, Flowery Branch Score: 100, Grade: A Inspector: Adetayo Adewolu FEB. 16 Orient Express Location: 302 Shallowford Road, Gainesville Score: 97, Grade: A Inspector: DeShayla Bush Coffee Shop at Lawrence Pharmacy Location: 631 Broad St., Gainesville Score: 83, Grade: B Inspector: Adetayo Adewolu Sugar Hill Elementary School Location: 3259 Athens Highway, Gainesville Score: 100, Grade: A Inspector: Adetayo Adewolu FEB.19 Zen Ramen & Sushi Burrito Location: 115 Washington St. NE, Gainesville Score: 85, Grade: B Inspector: Kobi Sisengchanh Wendy’s #30 Location: 3825 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood Score: 96, Grade: A Inspector: Brady Bowen Dunkin’ Donuts Location: 3629 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood Score: 100, Grade: A Inspector: Brady Bowen FEB.20 The Haus Location: 4009 Winder Highway, Suite 290, Flowery Branch Score: 100, Grade: A Inspector: DeShayla Bush Playa Azul Mexican Seafood Bar & Grill, LLC Location: 1736 Atlanta Highway, Suite 600, Gainesville Score: 82, Grade: B Inspector: Adetayo Adewolu King Kong Milktea & Smoothie Location: 3885 Mundy Mill Road, Suite 107, Oakwood Score: 96, Grade: A Inspector: Kobi Sisengchanh Hello Hilo Location: 1881 Jesse Jewell Parkway NE, Gainesville Score: 96, Grade: A Inspector: Kobi Sisengchanh Don Arepacho Location: 2322 Browns Bridge Road, Suite A, Gainesville Score: 82, Grade: B Inspector: Brady Bowen Aramark - Riverside Military Academy Location: 2001 Riverside Dr., Gainesville Score: 96, Grade: A Inspector: Kobi Sisengchanh McDonald’s #35656 Location: 2010 Limestone Parkway NE, Gainesville Score: 100, Grade: A Inspector: Adetayo Adewolu The Georgia Mountain Food Bank, Inc. Location: 1642 Calvary Industrial Dr., Gainesville Score: 100, Grade, A Inspector: Adetayo Adewolu Mac’s Pit Stop Grill LLC Location: 4251 Winder Highway, Flowery Branch Score: 100, Grade: A Inspector: DeShayla Bush Outback Steakhouse #1123 Location: 655 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville Score: 100, Grade: A Inspector: Brady Bowen Pupuseria El Guanaco Mex Grill Location: 3616 Atlanta Highway, Flowery Branch Score: 99, Grade: A Inspector: DeShayla Bush FEB.21 4Elephants Location: 5521 Main St., Flowery Branch Score: 100, Grade: A Inspector: DeShayla Bush Los Cuates Mexican Taqueria & Restaurant Location: 4025 Winder Highway, Suite 460, Flowery Branch Score: 99, Grade: A Inspector: Kobi Sisengchanh Smokin’ Mike’s - Base of Operation Location: 5646 Price Road, Gainesville Score: 93, Grade: A Inspector: Adetayo Adewolu Smokin’ Mike’s - Mobile Unit Location: 5646 Price Road, Gainesville Score: 93, Grade: A Inspector: Adetayo Adewolu J. Christopher’s Location: 5857 Spout Springs Road, Suite 306, Flowery Branch Score: 99, Grade: A Inspector: DeShayla Bush Golden Buddha Location: 3715 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood Score: 95, Grade: A Inspector: Kobi Sisengchanh Hydeia Broadbent, prominent HIV/AIDS activist, dies at 39 Craig L. Moran Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP Hydia Broadbent poses in the Las Vegas Desert in 1997. BY RIO YAMAT AND TERRYTANG Associated Press LAS VEGAS — Hydeia Broadbent, a prominent HIV/ AIDS activist known for her inspirational talks in the 1990s as a young child to reduce the stigma surrounding the virus she was born with, has died. She was 39. Broadbent's father announced her death in a Facebookpost, saying she had died unexpectedly “after living with Aids since birth," but did not provide more details. “Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life,” Loren Broadbent wrote, ‘Hydeia remained determined to spread hope and positivity through education around Hiv/AIDS.” HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the body's immune system and is the virus that causes AIDS. The Clark County coroner's office said Broadbent died Tuesday in Las Vegas. Her cause and manner of death has not yet been determined. Broadbent was adopted in Las Vegas by her parents Patricia and Loren Broadbent as a baby, but her health condition wasn't known until she became seriously ill at 3. By age 5, Broadbent had developed full-blown AIDS. Patricia Broadbent began giving talks to local groups about the hardship of raising a child with AIDS, and little Hydeia listened, soaking in all she heard. Soon, Hydeia Broadbent was speaking before the crowds. She made the talk show circuit as a child, met the president and first lady, spoke at the 1996 Republican National Convention, starred in a television special on Nickelodeon with Magic Johnson, and was featured on a segment on ABC's “20/20.” A 7-year-old Broadbent became a national symbol of HIV when she joined Johnson on the 1992 Nickelodeon special, where the basketball legend talked about his own HIV diagnosis. The teary-eyed girl pleaded that all she wanted was for “people (to) know that we're just normal people.” FROM IB Humo & Fuego curse in this case, because there is so much interior work that needs to be done. When asked if a 2024 opening is realistic, both men agreed that would be a lofty goal but not totally off the table. Part of the work will be salvaging the original brick and wood, said Swinks, whose Atlanta-based firm specializes in restaurant build-outs. Tayva was selected from among many others to take on the project. “We want to keep a lot of the historical properties of the building,” Swinks explained. One of those pieces I Humo & Fuego Where: 104 Main St, Gainesville are the elevator machinations, which are currently visible from the top of the interior staircase. Swinks said Tayva Holdings is familiar with Hall County after having worked on Meadowlark Coffee. “We enjoy both big and small projects,” he said. “And this is a big project.” Another unique and original component will be a takeout margarita window for customers looking to get a drink while they are on the square. “We want to make this place different from everything else on the square,” Arellano said. Donnell Suggs The Times The interior of 104 Main St. and future home of Mexican restaurant Humo & Fuego, as seen on Feb. 21. “We want to keep a lot of the historical properties of the building,” said Greg Swinks, general contractor for the project. FROM 1A Vardeman Old-timers recall stories about the bell being vandalized and hid den from the school principal, and students ringing it from the back of a truck on Christmas and New Year's. Sandra's uncles, Mansel Oliver and Floyd Beach, finally rescued it and had it stored in Concord Church. She retrieved it from the church, and the historical society sold bricks to finance the belltower. Dip It is well-documented that Clermont's name once was Dip, but even the historical society isn't sure why, Cantrell says. Some say it was because of a dip in the road, others that it was the ample supply of water in the area or that the postmaster wanted a short name to stamp on letters. Brenda DeShan, vice president of the society, says the “Clermont” name describes its clear view of the mountains. Clermont is in the shadow of Wauka Mountain, and Yonah Mountain and others rise on the horizon. Will Johnson, first principal of Chattahoochee High School, is credited with suggest ing the name. A “Dip Dots” writer in the Gainesville News in March 1905 mentioned that the Dip-to- Clermont name was imminent. Obviously, residents at that time thought Clermont a more descrip tive and lyrical name than the blunt and uninspiring “Dip.” As the “Dip Dots” writer put it, “We like euphonious names.” Johnny Vardeman is retired editor of The Times and can be reached at 2183 Pinetree Circle NE, Gainesville, Georgia 30501; phone 770-532-2326; and email johnnyvardeman@gmail.com. Earl Wilcox Unsplash
