A96.5

COOK OUT #277

20220 WEST CATAWBA AV, Cornelius, NC 28031

Restaurant · NC permit/State ID 2060019859

Latest gradeA (96.5)

Last inspectedOct 23, 2026

Inspections on record13

On record sinceJul 8, 2020

Score history

Jul 8, 2020Higher is betterOct 23, 2026

Inspections & violations

Oct 23, 2026 A 96.5 · 6 violations

Inspector comments: TPHC - Many cold items on the make line. Times are kept in the Cook Out Daily Log Establishment occasionally conducts large take-out orders (200+ meals) for churches in the community

#15 · Food separated & protected −1.5

Corrected during inspection

3-302.11(A)(1) Separate raw animal foods from ready-to-eat foods and washed/unwashed fruits and vegetables. -P 3-302.11(A)(8) Separate unwashed produce from ready-to-eat foods. Observed raw bacon stored above cooked BBQ in the walk-in cooler. Observed open bag of raw chicken breast stored above onion rings in the walk-in freezer. Observed unwashed tomatoes stored above milk in the walk-in cooler. CDI - All items were moved to the correct order.

#24 · Time as a Public Health Control; procedures & records

Corrected during inspection

3-501.19(B)(3) Follow written procedures for foods held using Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC) for 4 hours. Food shall be marked to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control. Pf Observed pre-filled time stamps for the entire day of TPHC. CDI - Manager corrected time stamps and will now fill them out individually.

#44 · Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried & handled

4-903.11(B)(1) Clean equipment and utensils shall be stored in a self-draining position that allows for air drying. Observed wet-stacked dishes.

#49 · Non-food contact surfaces clean −1

Repeat violation

REPEAT 4-601.11(C ) Keep non food contact surfaces of equipment clean to avoid build up of dust, food residue or debris. Observed food debris / grease on shelves and sides of equipment.

#51 · Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Corrected during inspection

5-202.14 Prevent backflow or back siphonage prevention devices installed shall meet American Society of Sanitary Engineering standards. -P Observed a water hose being cut off by a splitter valve with an ASSE-1001 backflow prevention device that is not rated for continuous pressure. CDI - Water was turned off at the faucet.

#55 · Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean −1

Repeat violation

REPEAT 6-501.12 Floors, walls, ceilings including the attachments such as soap, towel dispensers; light fixtures; and heat/ac vent covers shall be clean. Caution should be used to minimize food exposure. Observed heavy food debris on the floor and underneath equipment.

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May 28, 2026 A 96.5 · 7 violations

Inspector comments: TPHC - Many cold items on the make line and meat prep cooler. Times are kept in the Cook Out Daily Log Establishment occasionally conducts large take-out orders (200+ meals) for churches in the community Through conversation with the manager, he revealed that Cook Out cools BBQ, Chili, Queso, Chicken Quesadillas. Risk Category may change due to the amount of cooling.

#6 · Proper eating, tasting, drinking or tobacco use −0.5

Repeat violation

REPEAT 2-401.11 (A). Employee beverages must be stored in a designated area where contamination of food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles cannot occur. Observed an employee drink stored on a storage shelf above food.

#8 · Hands clean & properly washed −2

Corrected during inspection

2-301.14 (E) Wash hands after handling soiled equipment or utensils. -P 2-301.14 (G) Wash hands when switching between working with raw food and working with Ready to Eat Food. -P Observed an employee recontaminate hands after washing by turning the faucet off with bare hands. Observed an employee change gloves after handling raw burger patties without washing. CDI - Employee was educated and they rewashed hands.

#10 · Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible

Corrected during inspection

5-205.11 (B) A handwashing sink may not be used for purposes other than handwashing Pf. Observed two cups stored inside of a hand sink. CDI - Items were discarded.

#16 · Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Corrected during inspection

4-601.11(A) Equipment food contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. -Pf. Observed a few soiled dishes stored as clean. CDI - Items were removed and placed in the 3-compartment sink.

#40 · Personal cleanliness −0.5

Repeat violation

REPEAT 2-303.11 Remove jewelry on hands and arms while preparing food. A plain ring, such as a wedding band, is allowed. 2-402.11 Use head coverings, beard guards and clothing to restrain body hair from contacting exposed food, equipment, and utensils. Observed an employee preparing food while wearing a watch and one employee without a hair restraint.

#49 · Non-food contact surfaces clean −0.5

Repeat violation

REPEAT 4-601.11(C ) Keep non food contact surfaces of equipment clean to avoid build up of dust, food residue or debris. Observed food debris / grease on shelves and sides of equipment.

#55 · Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

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Dec 3, 2025 A 97 · 11 violations

Inspector comments: Establishment occasionally prepares large pick-up orders such as 200 burgers. Establishment has adequate space and equipment. EHS approved all processes for these orders.

#6 · Proper eating, tasting, drinking or tobacco use

2-401.11 (A). Employee beverages must be stored in a designated area where contamination of food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles cannot occur. Observed an employee drink stored on a prep surface.

#16 · Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

4-602.11 (E )Clean the equipment and utensils used with nonTCS foods as required to avoid contamination. Observed slight microbial growth on the dining room drink machine ice chute.

#21 · Proper hot holding temperatures −1.5

Corrected during inspection

3-501.16(A)(1) Maintain TCS foods in hot holding at 135F or above. -P Observed 105 degree chicken tenders under a heat lamp. CDI - Items were voluntarily discarded.

#28 · Toxic substances properly identified stored & used −1

Corrected during inspection

7-201.11 Store toxic materials to avoid contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service/use items. -P Observed a container of sanitizer stored on a shelf next to a bag of onions. CDI - Sanitizer was removed.

#37 · Food properly labeled: original container

3-302.12 Label all working containers of food (oils, spices, salts, flour, sugar) except food that is easy to identify such as dry pasta. Observed containers of crushed peppermint without a label.

#38 · Insects & rodents not present; no unauthorized animals

6-202.13 Properly locate mechanical insect control devices. 6-501.111 Keep the premises free of insects, rodents, and other pests. Observed fly tape hanging over the back kitchen hand sink. Observed fruit flies throughout the kitchen.

#39 · Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

3-305.11 Store food in a clean, dry location, not exposed to contamination. Keep at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed a box of potatoes stored below a dripping walk-in freezer compressor.

#40 · Personal cleanliness

2-303.11 Remove jewelry on hands and arms while preparing food. A plain ring, such as a wedding band, is allowed. Observed an employee preparing food while wearing a watch.

#45 · Single-use & single-service articles: properly stored & used −0.5

4-903.12 Do not store single-use and single-service articles in toilet rooms; garbage rooms; mechanical rooms; under sewer lines; under open stairwells; or under other sources of contamination. Observed paper towels for the establishment stored inside of the employee restroom.

#47 · Equipment, food & non-food contact surfaces approved, cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

4-501.11 Maintain equipment in good repair. Observed a leaking walk-in freezer compressor. Observed a leak coming from underneath the drive-through drink machine.

#49 · Non-food contact surfaces clean

4-601.11(C ) Keep non food contact surfaces of equipment clean to avoid build up of dust, food residue or debris. Observed food debris on the shelves of the walk-in cooler.

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Apr 1, 2025 A 99 · 1 violation

#13 · Food in good condition, safe & unadulterated −1

Corrected during inspection

3-101.11 Food shall be safe for consumption, unadulterated and honestly presented. -P Observed white buildup/residue/gritty substance on lettuce leaf in container in reach-in portion of make table. CDI: PIC voluntarily discarded product.

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Nov 13, 2024 A 95.5 · 5 violations

#16 · Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized −3

Corrected during inspectionRepeat violation

4-501.114 Maintain sanitizer at correct concentrations when being used to sanitize. -P Observed high levels of chlorine sanitizer at 3-compartment sink- 200+ppm. CDI: Education provided and PIC diluted solution - 100ppm. REPEAT VIOLATION.

#22 · Proper cold holding temperatures −1.5

3-501.16(A)(2) Maintain TCS foods in cold holding at 41F or less. -P Observed various TCS foods being held above 41F in small grill make table. Ambient temp of unit 40F. EHS waited approx. 35 min before temping for second time and no change in food temps (44F-51F). EHS provided education and product placed on TPHC as short-term means of compliance. EHS will return within 3 days to verify unit properly maintaining TCS foods at temperature. VERIFICATION REQUIRED.

#38 · Insects & rodents not present; no unauthorized animals

6-501.111 Keep the premises free of insects, rodents, and other pests. Observed several fruit flies at front hand sink near shake station and at clean dish shelves in back of kitchen.

#47 · Equipment, food & non-food contact surfaces approved, cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

4-501.11 Maintain equipment in good repair. Observed small grill make table unable to maintain TCS foods at proper temperature.

#55 · Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

6-501.12 Floors, walls, ceilings including the attachments such as soap, towel dispensers; light fixtures; and heat/ac vent covers shall be clean. Caution should be used to minimize food exposure. Observed various areas of kitchen with moderate to heavy food waste and debris accumulation including, but not limited to, dish area, walk-in cooler, and floor at drive-thru register.

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Mar 20, 2024 A 98.5 · 2 violations

#2 · Certified Food Protection Manager

2-102.12 (A) PIC shall demonstrate knowledge by being a certified food protection manager. Observed no certified food protection manager on staff at time of inspection. PIC took CFPM test 03/19/24- scoring not provided yet.

#16 · Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized −1.5

Corrected during inspection

4-501.114 Maintain sanitizer at correct concentrations when being used to sanitize. -P Observed high chlorine sanitizer concentration at three compartment sink- 200ppm. CDI: Education provided and PIC diluted chlorine sanitizer- 100ppm.

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Sep 7, 2023 A 96 · details not yet loaded