Norcross restaurant fails second inspection this year

Keith Shewbert  the owner of 45 South Café, says the restaurant has served over half a million meals and drinks in the past eight years with no reported incidents.

The restaurant, located on South Peachtree Street in historic downtown Norcross, failed a July 20 health inspection with a score of 59.

Some of the violations included: An employee not wearing gloves or using a utensil while handling French toast; cheesecake and sausage links not maintained at a cold enough temperature; temporary menus without capitalized disclosure statements; and flooring with excessive debris underneath.

Shewbert says they are going to work diligently with the health department to correct the problems noted in the inspection.

45 South Café is located on South Peachtree Street in historic downtown Norcross.

The restaurant also failed an inspection in May with a 61. On a reinspection a week later they got an 86.

The new inspection report of 59 indicates the restaurant’s food service permit was suspended because they had two consecutive unsatisfactory scores.

45 South Café then had an on-site training with a county inspector for all its employees and managers and the permit was reinstated.

Shewbert told Channel 2’s Carol Sbarge in a written statement that the majority of the violations were administrative and record keeping in nature.

He said the only substantial violation was an employee inadvertently touching a piece of bread, which was disposed of immediately. However, Shewbert said they failed to work effectively with the Gwinnett Environmental Health Department to comply with all regulations.

Shewbert said he apologizes to customers and the Norcross community for the unfortunate incident. He said the restaurant would continue to provide Norcross with quality food.

45 South Café will be reinspected within 10 days of the July inspection.