Mold, pests, unwashed hands: Jefferson County’s worst May 2026 health inspection scores

Ensuring food safety is a critical priority for every dining establishment in the Magic City, but recent reports from the Jefferson County Health Department indicate that some local spots missed the mark last month. In May 2026, sixteen restaurants, convenience stores, and food service providers failed to hit the 85-point threshold, sparking concerns regarding hygiene and operational standards.

Inspectors logged a variety of health code violations throughout the county, ranging from the presence of pests and improperly stored chemicals to employees neglecting basic hand-washing protocols. In one concerning case, a mobile food unit was found operating without the necessary pressurized water system required for proper hand washing. Another establishment was ordered to tackle mold growth inside an ice machine.

Under county guidelines, any facility scoring below 85 must undergo a follow-up inspection within 60 days. Establishments that fall to 60 or lower face an immediate closure order until officials are satisfied that all health risks have been mitigated. 205focus.com has compiled the list below of the establishments that scored 84 or lower in May, sorted from highest to lowest scores.

Jefferson County May Health Inspection Scores

Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Cooking (1917 Hoover Ct., Hoover) – 84 (May 13). Infractions included items stored in the freezer without proper date markings and foods like bean sprouts and shredded cabbage sitting at room temperature. Duck blood and cooked pork were measured at unsafe temperatures between 45 and 49 degrees.

Subway (643 Pleasant Grove Rd., Pleasant Grove) – 84 (May 20). Inspectors found food residue on supposedly clean pans and noted the presence of gnats. Additionally, two employees were caught skipping the hand-washing step before putting on gloves.

Los Arcos VIII (7001 Crestwood Blvd., Birmingham) – 83 (May 5). The restaurant was directed to sanitize an ice machine to remove mold residue. Staff were also flagged for using soiled towels to dry their hands and gloves. Cooked pork was found at 52 degrees, well above the 41-degree safety limit.

Applebee’s (2246 Bessemer Rd., Birmingham) – 82 (May 19). Health officials noted several issues including cut produce stored under a dirty shelf and staff handling food with long nails and no gloves. The facility also had significant food debris buildup behind equipment and near floor drains.

Vineyard Food Market (1623 2nd Ave. North, Birmingham) – 82 (May 15). Toxic chemicals were found stored improperly alongside food service items, including one item discovered inside an ice machine. Inspectors also observed flies and noted a hand sink that was blocked by a bicycle and shelving.

The Grocery Brew Pub (2823 Central Ave., Birmingham) – 82 (May 14). The establishment struggled with water temperature at hand sinks, which measured only 71 degrees instead of the required 100. Documentation for mandatory food safety training and health policies was also unavailable.

Gardens Cafe (2612 Lane Park Rd., Birmingham) – 82 (May 14). Multiple food items were found well past their seven-day disposal limit. Inspectors also observed an employee attempt to put on gloves without washing hands after being on a cell phone, while the dish machine tested negative for necessary chlorine sanitizer.

Graysville 78 (1435 Bankhead Hwy., Graysville) – 82 (May 12). The facility lacked proper thermometers for measuring food and dish-sanitizing temperatures. Re-inspection on May 15 showed improvement, with the score climbing to 96.

The Crab Barrack (7861 Crestwood Blvd., Birmingham) – 81 (May 7). Inspectors identified multiple issues including missing date marks on cooked chicken and a damaged backflow prevention device at the mop sink.

Mt. Olive Grocery (3340 Mt. Olive Rd., Mount Olive) – 81 (May 1). Chicken was discovered at 83 degrees in an oven rather than being held at 135 degrees or above. The facility also lacked soap at a hand sink. A follow-up on May 15 resulted in a improved score of 86.

Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ (220 Oxmoor Rd., Birmingham) – 80 (May 19). The facility dealt with an infestation of fruit flies and gnats, and inspectors required repairs to the dish machine along with mandated food safety training for the staff.

Half Shell Oyster House at Trussville (218 Main St., Trussville) – 80 (May 12). Inspectors noted that shell stock tags were missing required sale dates, and several food items were held at temperatures reaching 54 degrees. Black residue was observed on the ice machine, and many utensils were stored while still carrying food residue.

7 Brew Coffee (5982 Chalkville Rd., Trussville) – 80 (May 8). Milk was measured between 45 and 52 degrees, and chemical spray bottles were found stored in close proximity to food-contact items. There was no verifiable employee health policy on file.

The Local (633 Montgomery Hwy., Vestavia Hills) – 78 (May 12). Violations included sugar stored on top of cleaning supplies, multiple food items measured at unsafe temperatures, and visible debris and black residue found on kitchen floors, walls, and cooler gaskets.

The Grocery Brew Pub - Mobile Food Unit (2823 Central Ave., Birmingham) – 76 (May 14). The unit was cited for lacking pressurized water for hand washing and failing to provide documentation for food handler safety training.

Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill (5071 Pinnacle Sq., Trussville) – 72 (May 5). Several items including sauces and cheeses were measured at unsafe temperatures. The facility also suffered from a clogged drain that caused water to back up onto the floor, and most employees lacked the required food handler cards.