Jefferson's

86 Tennessee St, Ringgold, GA 30736

American

License: Food Service

Last inspected: May 7, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Jefferson's has six inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The most recent report on file is from May 7, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.

“Food-contact surfaces” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

The city-wide average sits at 95, which Jefferson's 86 doesn't quite reach. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 7, 2026

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED RAW CHICKEN AND RAW SHRIMP BEING HELD ABOVE 41 DEGREES. CA: TCS ITEMS MUST BE COLD HELD AT OR BELOW 41 DEGREES. COS: CHICKEN WAS PLACED IN WALK IN 3 HOURS PRIOR AND WAS MOVED TO WALK IN AND COOLED TO 41 WITHIN 30 MINUTES. SHRIMP WAS DISCARDED.

511-6-1.04(6)(f)

Nov 14, 2025

Routine

2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

12B - personal cleanliness (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD PREP EMPLOYEE WEARING BRACELETS. CA: DISCUSSED WITH PIC THAT EXCEPT FOR A PLAIN RING SUCH AS A WEDDING BAND FOR FOOD PREP EMPLOYEES MAY NOT WEAR JEWELRY ON THEIR ARMS AND HANDS WHILE PREPARING FOOD.

511-6-1.03(5)(g)

14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED SILVERWARE NOT STORED WITH HANDLES UP. CA: DISCUSSED WITH PIC THAT ALL SILVERWARE WILL BE STORED SO THAT ONLY HANDLES ARE TOUCHED BY EMPLOYEES.

511-6-1.05(10)(g)

May 12, 2025

Routine

2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

4-2A - food stored covered (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD ITEMS STORED UNCOVERED (PICKLES, CHIPS, AND QUESO DIP). CA: DISCUSSED WITH PIC THAT STORED FOOD WILL BE KEPT COVERED TO PREVENT FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION.

511-6-1.04(4)(c)

12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON SIDE CART. CA: DISCUSSED WITH PIC THAT WIPING CLOTHS USED FOR SANITIZING WILL BE HELD BETWEEN USES INSIDE SANITIZER SOLUTION THAT MEETS MANUFACTURERS REQUIREMENT FOR SANITIZING.

511-6-1.04(4)(m)

Nov 25, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.

View 4 violations

4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED MECHANICAL DISH WASHING MACHINE NOT SANITIZING AT MINIMUM REQUIRED SANITIZER CONCENTRATION LEVELS. CA: PIC CALLED MAINTENANCE AND WILL USE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK UNTIL DISH MACHINE IS SANITIZING PROPERLY.

511-6-1.05(6)(n)

4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED SANITIZER SINK AT BAR WITHOUT MINIMUM SANITIZER CONCENTRATION LEVELS FOR SANITIZING. CA: PIC REFILLED SANITIZER SINK.

511-6-1.05(6)(n)

15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE BATTER STATION REACH-IN COOLER. CA: PIC HAD COOLER CLEANED TO SIGHT AND TOUCH AND WILL INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY.

511-6-1.05(7)(a)

15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED REACH-IN COOLER NOT OPERATING IN GOOD REPAIR. CA: DISCUSSED WITH PIC THAT COOLER WILL NOT BE USED FOR ANY TCS FOOD ITEMS UNTIL COOLER WILL SELF-CLOSE AND COLD HOLD AT TEMPERATURES 41F OR BELOW.

511-6-1.05(6)(a)

May 17, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF FOOD DEBRIS ON CEILINGS OF MICROWAVES. ALSO, OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF SOIL RESIDUE INSIDE ICE MACHINE. CA: DISCUSSED WITH PIC THAT MICROWAVES AND ICE MACHINE WILL BE CLEANED TO SIGHT AND TOUCH WITH CLEANING FREQUENCY INCREASED.

511-6-1.05(7)(a)

12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS BEING STORED IN SANITIZER BUCKETS WITH SANITIZING CONCENTRATION BELOW MANUFACTURERS REQUIREMENTS. CA: PIC FOUND THAT THE SANITIZER LINE HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY PRIMED AND FIXED THE LINE. ALL SANITIZER BUCKETS WERE REFILLED. DISCUSSED WITH PIC THAT ALL EMPLOYEES SHALL TEST SANITIZER BUCKETS WHEN REFILLED.

511-6-1.04(4)(m)

17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL EMPLOYEE JACKETS AND PERSONAL ITEMS STORED THROUGHOUT KITCHEN. CA: DISCUSSED WITH PIC THAT ALL EMPLOYEE PERSONAL ITEMS SHALL ONLY BE STORED IN AN APPROVED EMPLOYEE DESIGNATED AREA.

511-6-1.07(4)(b)

Feb 27, 2024

Initial

No violations found.

100

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Jefferson's last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Jefferson's on file is from May 7, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Jefferson's?

Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Jefferson's.

How does Jefferson's compare to other restaurants in Ringgold?

Jefferson's most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is lower than the Ringgold average of 95.

Has Jefferson's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Jefferson's have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Jefferson's means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Jefferson's inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Jefferson's is inspected around three times per year on average.

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