Ming Buffet
Last inspected: Mar 10, 2026
82
Score
Public records show five inspections at Ming Buffet stretching back to 2024. On Mar 10, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around two violations lately and about four violations before that.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food-contact surfaces”, showing up two times.
Compared to other Ellijay restaurants (averaging 95), there's room to close the gap. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 10, 2026
Followup
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed orange and clear cleaning chemicals not properly labeled in storage. All cleaning chemicals are to be labeled and stored properly in a designated area. PIC labeled all bottles.
511-6-1.07(6)(g)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
Inspector notes: Observed improper vertical storage of vegetables such as lettuce and broccoli on prep top cooler. PIC was instructed to place the overflow product into the RIC below.
511-6-1.04(4)(z)
82
Feb 11, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
4-1A - food separated and protected
Inspector notes: Observed raw animal products (i.e. raw chicken, raw, beef, and raw shrimp) not properly separated in prep top unit. Discussed with PIC to ensure all raw animal products are separated in prep top unit to ensure low risk of contamination.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
6-2 - proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: Observed TCS foods such as cut leafy greens, raw chicken, raw beef, chow mein, prepped and stored not date marked in RIC and WIC. All TCS food, food prepped in-house, and opened package food, must be stored with a date mark sticker or label on the date it was opened or prep. Discussed with PIC to label all TCS, food prepped in-house, and opened package food with a label or sticker.
511-6-1.04(6)(g)
3-1C - food in good condition, safe, and unadulterated
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed 3 rusted cans in dry storage. Instructed PIC to remove cans to another area labeled for return by company. PIC moved the 3 dented cans to designated area.
511-6-1.04(3)(e)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed main kitchen ice machine and waiter station ice machine containing black residue to touch. All food contact surfaces must be sanitized and cleaned frequently to ensure buildup of residue does not occur. Discussed with PIC to frequently clean both ice machines thoroughly.
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed dish washer not properly dispensing sanitizing solution after wash. Every utensil must be cleaned through a wash, rinse, and sanitizing step. Discussed with PIC to use 3-compartment sink to sanitize dishes after using dish washer to complete the sanitizing step until dish washer is serviced.
511-6-1.05(6)(m)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed water dripping from non-food contact surface above grill line. All physical facilities should be in good repair to prevent water damage to other equipment and reduce contamination to food items. PIC has put in a work order to fix the leak.
511-6-1.07(2)(h)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Observed grease accumulation and black residue on vent hoods over the grill stations. All vent hoods over cooking station should be cleaned routinely to ensure grease and black residue does not accumulate. PIC put in a work order to get vents cleaned.
511-6-1.05(3)(d)
55
Sep 2, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Dishes and utensils stored as clean shall be clean to sight and touch. Observed metal containers stored as clean that had food residue on them. PIC removed dishes and placed them in 3 compartment sink to wash, rinse, and sanitize.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Physical facilities shall be kept clean in good repair. Observed broken and loosed tiles near the dish pit. Floors require additional cleaning.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
86
Nov 1, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
2-1B - hands clean and properly washed
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee in dish area handling soiled utensils with gloves on. Then rinsing hands in three compartment sink without removing gloves. Instructed PIC and employee on proper handwashing procedures.
511-6-1.03(5)(c)
11C - approved thawing methods used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed chicken thawing in standing water. Thawing foods shall be submerged under running water with sufficient water velocity to agitate and float off loose particles in an overflow. COS instructed PIC to drain sink and instructed PIC on correct thawing methods. PIC then moved chicken to colander and turned up water pressure.
511-6-1.04(6)(c)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed chicken being thawed in vegetable sink. COS PIC then redesignated sinks. Sinks must stay as their original designated sinks.
511-6-1.04(4)(t)
78
Jul 10, 2024
Issued Provisional Permit
2 major violations. 3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Provide door sweep on back door.
511-6-1.07(5)(o)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed can opener heavily soiled. Observed ice machine with heavy mold accumulation. Must maintain all food contact surfaces clean
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Replace coving throughout kitchen, all service areas and restrooms.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
11A - proper cooling methods used: adequate equipment for temperature control
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed crab salad stored in 2 door RI cooler cooled incorrectly. Must utilize small pans or freezer to cool dense foods within appropriate time frame. COS- salad discarded.
511-6-1.04(6)(e)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Replace gaskets on preptop cooler adjacent wok station.
511-6-1.05(6)(a)
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ming Buffet last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ming Buffet on file is from Mar 10, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ming Buffet?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Ming Buffet.
How does Ming Buffet compare to other restaurants in Ellijay?
Ming Buffet most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Ellijay average of 95.
Has Ming Buffet's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Ming Buffet have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Ming Buffet 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 Ming Buffet inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ming Buffet is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants