Novi Restaurant Inspections: What’s Cooking Behind Closed Doors?
Hey there, Novi residents! If you’ve got a craving for some local eats, you’ll want to keep reading. Recent inspections by the Oakland County Health Department have revealed a few alarming findings at some of our favorite dining spots. From expired food to kitchen creepy-crawlies, let’s dig into what inspectors found between January and July this year.
Spotlight on Violations
Now, let’s not panic just yet. Many establishments have already taken steps to rectify their violations. Also, just because an inspection report reveals issues doesn’t mean the restaurants are still guilty as charged. Many have corrected their paths to dining hygiene, but it’s still good to be informed!
Basic Asian Mart Bistro of Grace, 25750 Novi Rd. #103
First up is Basic Asian Mart Bistro of Grace. During a routine check on February 21, inspectors found empty raw chicken boxes improperly storing sealed drink containers. Talk about a recipe for disaster! Unfortunately, it gets worse— inspectors noted the presence of living roaches in water for utensils, plenty of dead ones in traps, and a host of live ones near cooking stations. Yikes!
Beerhead Bar and Eatery, 44375 W 12 Mile Rd.
Next on the list is Beerhead Bar and Eatery. On April 15, health inspectors reported sour cream that had certainly overstayed its welcome—holding past its use-by date. But the surprises didn’t end there: raw shell eggs stored above ready-to-eat foods and numerous unlabeled spray bottles were also spotted. Cleanliness took a backseat with dirt accumulation and the absence of hand soaps at crucial spots. To top it all off, black mold was lurking behind the dishwasher!
Zoup! 120, 27292 Novi Road, Space 109
Fast forward to May 23, and we arrive at Zoup! 120. Here, inspectors found live cockroaches scuttling around, not to mention more dead critters on monitoring boards. Some food items like lettuce and cheese were kept at unsafe temperatures, and handwashing facilities had no hot water available. Sounds like a pest problem is brewing!
Incredible Burger, 27292 Novi Suite FC108
Moving on, let’s talk about Incredible Burger—a name that makes your mouth water, but the inspection conducted on March 12 didn’t serve up much satisfaction. Raw ground beef sat next to ready-to-eat food, and staff were spotted skipping necessary handwashing. Another red flag? Several food containers lacked a proper cleaning procedure and were observed resting straight on the floor. This is one burger joint that needs to step up its game.
Alchile Mexican Grill, 42100 Grand River Ave.
Next, we make our way to Alchile Mexican Grill. On May 8, inspectors were not impressed when they came across a bar dish machine lacking proper sanitization levels. Hand sinks without soap and gear accumulated mold—definitely not the tasty ambiance diners want. The cleanliness of single-service items also left much to be desired.
Final Thoughts on Food Safety
The list goes on, with more violations noted at various eateries, including Oishi, Ramen Noodle & Rice Bowl and Raw Organic Juice Bar. Thankfully, these establishments are working actively with pest control companies to prevent these issues from continuing.
As avid fans of our vibrant food scene here in Novi, it’s essential to be aware of what occurs behind kitchen doors. If you want to check out inspection results for your favorite restaurants, you can head over to swordsolutions.com/inspections/ to see for yourself. Remember, while most eateries are doing their best, sometimes a little cleanliness review can go a long way. Here’s to better dining experiences, Novi!
