Georgia › Cherokee County › Waleska
The Highlands Grille
486 ARROWRIDGE , WALESKA, GA 30183 · Health inspection record from Georgia Department of Public Health
Most recent inspection (February 19, 2026): Inspectors recorded 5 violations, 4 of them critical, involving temperature control and cleaning & sanitizing.
Inspection history
Every recorded inspection, newest first. Open one to see what the inspector found that day — a past failure matters even when the current score looks fine.
B80February 19, 20265 violations
Inspectors recorded 5 violations, 4 of them critical, involving temperature control and cleaning & sanitizing.
Observed: 1. TCS foods in grill cooler being cold held at temperatures ranging from 42-59°F. Top left door is not fully shutting, which is likely causing the temperature abuse. 2. TCS foods in reach-in cooler across from oven being cold held 43-47°F. Doors of coolers are not properly closing. 3. Three bottles of ranch in salad prep top being cold held at 48°F due to improper storage. Bottles were not stored directly in unit. TCS foods must be maintained at a temperature of 41°F or below. COS: Discarded some items and moving others to the walk in cooler and freezer to cool. PIC must be checking temperatures DAILY. Repair tech has been called out to repair this unit.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; cold holding (p)”Observed soda nozzle located in the bar with mold accumulation in the holder part. PIC stated the nozzle and holder is cleaned every night. In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, beverage and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee bean grinders, and water vending equipment: (I) At a frequency specified by the manufacturer; or (II) Absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. Must clean within 72 hours or before use, whichever comes first.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(b) - food contact surfaces and utensils - cleaning frequency (p, c)”Observed no written clean-up procedure for the clean up of vomiting or diarrheal events. Written clean up procedure for bleach was provided during the last inspection. A food establishment shall have written procedures for employees to follow and an EPA registered disinfectant effective against Norovirus available on-site at the food service establishment when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food service establishment. The procedures shall address the specific actions employees must take to minimize the spread of contamination and the exposure of employees, consumers, food, and surfaces to vomitus or fecal matter.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.03(6) - clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events(pf)”Observed the deli meat slicer equipment having food debris along posterior crevics of blade. Slicer was stored as cleaned. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Must clean within 72 hours or before next use, whichever comes first.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(a)1 - equipment, food-contact surfaces,& utensils (pf)”Observed gasket of grill cooler in poor condition resulting in cooler not being able to fully close; there was slight temperature abuse of TCS foods in front part of cooler. Also observed reach-in cooler across from oven/grill not properly self-closing. Temperature of TCS foods in unit were elevated. The door may be getting left ajar. Both issues must be addressed.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(6)(a) - good repair & proper adjustment (c)”B88September 25, 20253 violations
Inspectors recorded 3 violations, 3 of them critical, involving temperature control and cleaning & sanitizing.
Observed two employees using thermometer to temp food and failing to sanitize probe before and after use. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be cleaned: Before using or storing a food temperature measuring device. COS by CFSM getting alcohol pads and advising employees to use them each time when taking temperatures.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(b) - food contact surfaces and utensils - cleaning frequency (p, c)”Observed chicken wings, blue cheese dressing (containing sour cream), and key lime pie stored past 7 days. A food that requires datemarking shall be discarded if it: (i) Exceeds 7 days, not including the time that the product is frozen; P (ii) Is in a container or package that does not bear a date or day; P or (iii) Is appropriately marked with a date or day that exceeds 7 days. COS by discarding items.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(h) - ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, disposition (p)”Observed the can opener stored as clean but visibly dirty. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. COS by cleaning the can opener.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(a)1 - equipment, food-contact surfaces,& utensils (pf)”A92January 2, 20253 violations
Inspectors recorded 3 violations, 3 of them critical, involving cleaning & sanitizing and temperature control.
Observed mold/mildew-like build-up in soda gun holster at bar. Except when dry cleaning methods are used as specified under subsection (7)(e) of this Rule, surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not time/temperature control for safety food shall be cleaned: (i) At any time when contamination may have occurred; (ii) At least every 24 hours for iced tea dispensers including nozzles and consumer self-service utensils such as tongs, scoops, or ladles; (iii) Before restocking consumer self-service equipment and utensils such as condiment dispensers and display containers; and (iv) In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, beverage and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee bean grinders, and water vending equipment: (I) At a frequency specified by the manufacturer; or (II) Absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. COS by cleaning. Must clean daily.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(b) - food contact surfaces and utensils - cleaning frequency (p, c)”Observed food prepared on previous days stored well past their discard date. The oldest TCS food item was prepped 12/5/24. A food that requires datemarking shall be discarded if it: (i) Exceeds 7 days, not including the time that the product is frozen; P (ii) Is in a container or package that does not bear a date or day; P or (iii) Is appropriately marked with a date or day that exceeds 7 days. COS by discarding.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(h) - ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, disposition (p)”Observed martini glass stored face down on dirty shelving at bar. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. COS by washing glass. Shelf must be cleaned and sanitized before re-storing glass.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(a)1 - equipment, food-contact surfaces,& utensils (pf)”A90February 9, 20244 violations
Inspectors recorded 4 violations, 2 of them critical, involving temperature control and cleaning & sanitizing.
Observed mashed potatoes being hot held at 115°F. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 135°F or above when being hot held. COS by discarding.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; hot holding (p)”Observed incorrect time documentation on eggs utilizing time as a public health control (TPHC). Time documentation showed 4-8PM however, product was out BEFORE 4PM and temped 63°F at 3:45PM. If time without temperature control is used as the public health control up to a maximum of 4 hours: (i) The food shall have an initial temperature of 41°F (5°C) or less when removed from cold holding temperature control, or 135°F (57°C) or greater when removed from hot holding temperature control; P (ii) The food shall be marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control; Pf (iii) The food shall be cooked and served, served at any temperature if ready-to-eat, or discarded, within 4 hours from the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control; P and (iv) The food in unmarked containers or packages, or marked to exceed a 4-hour limit shall be discarded. P COS by discarding.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(i) - time as a public health control (tphc) (p, pf, c)”Observed heavy grease build-up beneath and behind fryers. Area must be thoroughly cleaned. Must increased cleaning frequency.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(a)2,3 - equipment, food/nonfood-contact surfaces, and utensils, food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment & nonfood-contact surfaces free of accumulations (c)”Observed build-up on hood vents. Must clean.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(a)2,3 - equipment, food/nonfood-contact surfaces, and utensils, food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment & nonfood-contact surfaces free of accumulations (c)”Georgia scores on a 100-point scale: A 90–100, B 80–89, C 70–79, U below 70.
Source
Published by the Georgia Department of Public Health · permit 028-1224. Verify this record at ga.healthinspections.us. Georgia’s inspection records are published by county health district, not from a single statewide portal.
