Southern Muggs
Last inspected: Jan 22, 2026
74
Score
Inspectors have visited Southern Muggs five times, with records going back to 2024. The most recent visit was on Jan 22, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around two violations to closer to four violations.
“Food-contact surfaces” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
By comparison, the average Cartersville facility scores 90, putting Southern Muggs on the weaker side. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 22, 2026
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
6-2 - proper date marking and disposition
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed no 7 day date marking on any open milk containers. CA: ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, when held at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below for a maximum of 7 days. COS: Open milk containers were discarded.
511-6-1.04(6)(g)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed interior of microwave not clean to sight and touch. CA: Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. COS: PIC cleaned microwave.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
4-2A - food stored covered
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed several boba containers without lids or coverings in small reach in cooler. CA: Food must be stored covered to be protected from overhead contamination unless actively being used or cooled. COS: Lids were placed on containers.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed raw wood in dry storage room and cabinets. CA: Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment that are exposed to splash, spillage, or other food soiling or that require frequent cleaning shall be constructed of a corrosion-resistant, nonabsorbent, and smooth material.
511-6-1.05(1)(i)
74
Aug 22, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Feb 12, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
2-1B - hands clean and properly washed
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee place visor on head, then proceed to place gloves and begin preparing drink for customer. CA: Discussed with PIC, employee removed gloves and washed hands before regloving and continuing preparing drink. Educated on when to wash and glove use.
511-6-1.03(5)(c)
2-1B - hands clean and properly washed
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee after washing hands use bare hand to turn water off at hand wash sink. CA: Discussed with PIC, employee rewashed and used paper towel to turn off water. Discussed proper hand washing procedure.
511-6-1.03(5)(b)
4-2A - food stored covered
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed caramel syrup and honey stored on counter top with opened/no lid. CA: Discussed with PIC, lids were placed and closed on food items. Educated on keeping food items covered when prepping items or when items are not in use.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed interior of microwave with food debris on top, sides, and bottom portions. CA: Discussed with PIC, employee will be assigned to clean.
511-6-1.05(7)(d)
67
Mar 26, 2024
Followup
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed potentially hazardous TCS food (assorted flavors of boba pearls) improperly cold holding above 41 degrees Fahrenheit in reach-in cooler (see temp log). CA: Discussed with PIC. Boba pearls were held out of temperature for longer than 4 hours and were discarded. Gasket needs to be replaced and there is significant ice build up on the top of the unit. Discussed repairing/replacing. If unit is replaced it must be NSF/ANSI certified and verified by Health Dept before used. All coolers still need an internal temperature measuring device.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed interior of ice machine not clean to sight and touch; black mold-like growth is lining the interior. CA: Discussed with PIC. PIC began draining the ice machine to properly deep clean it. Discussed increased frequency of routine cleaning moving forward.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
12B - personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: Observed PIC preparing drinks not wearing a hair restraint. CA: Instructed PIC that all employees who work with food (including drinks) and single use items must wear a hair restraint.
511-6-1.03(5)(j)
12B - personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: Observed PIC handling food while wearing bracelet. CA: Discussed with PIC. Bracelets/watches are to be removed prior to hand washing.
511-6-1.03(5)(g)
13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing
Inspector notes: Observed old inspection report publicly displayed instead of the current report with a score of 77. Discussed with PIC. New report will be displayed upon receipt.
511-6-1.02(1)(d)
15B - warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, used; test strips
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed dishes being washed in unapproved mechanical dishwasher that is for the separately permitted Department of Agriculture facility that shares the same building. CA: Discussed with PIC. Olive Tree and Vine (DoA permitted) cannot share any equipment with Southern Muggs. The mechanical dish washer is also not commercial and not in compliance with DPH requirements. All ware washing will be done in the three compartment sink.
511-6-1.05(6)(d)
64
Mar 21, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 11 violations
2-1B - hands clean and properly washed
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee using a cellphone with gloved hands, then handling food with the same gloves. CA: Discussed when to wash. Employee removed gloves and washed hands.
511-6-1.03(5)(c)
2-2A - management knowledge, responsibilities, reporting
Inspector notes: The PIC could not provide documentation or otherwise satisfactorily demonstrate during the inspection, that all food employees and conditional employees are informed of their responsibility to report to management information about their health and activities as it relates to diseases that are transmissible through food. CA: DPH issued copies of the employee health policy and employee reporting agreements were provided. All employee need to receive employee health training and sign the reporting agreements.
511-6-1.03(4)(a)(b)(c)(e)(f)
2-2E - response procedures for vomiting & diarrheal events
Inspector notes: Observed no established procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food establishment. CA: Discussed with PIC about obtaining response procedures for bodily fluid clean up.
511-6-1.03(6)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed no approved food contact surface sanitizer available in facility for use in the sanitize portion of the 3 compartment sink or for food contact surfaces. CA: Approved sanitizer (chlorine bleach, quaternary ammonia, etc.) must be used and unapproved sanitizer immediately discontinued.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
12B - personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: Observed employee handling food and drink while wearing bracelets. CA: Discussed with PIC. Bracelets are to be removed prior to washing hands.
511-6-1.03(5)(g)
14A - in-use utensils: properly stored
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed utensil stored in standing water less than 135F. CA: Discussed with PIC. Water was discarded.
511-6-1.04(4)(k)
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed container of clean utensils stored directly below the soap dispenser at the hand wash sink. CA: Discussed with PIC. Utensils were relocated to a dry, clean location.
511-6-1.05(10)(e)
14C - single-use/single-service articles: properly stored, used
Inspector notes: Observed several boxes of single use items stored on the floor in the dry storage room. CA: Discussed with PIC. Items will be moved to a shelf at least 6 inches off the floor.
511-6-1.05(10)(e)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed gaskets in smaller reach-in cooler falling off and in need or repair/replacement. CA: Discussed with PIC. Gaskets will be replaced.
511-6-1.05(6)(a)
2-2B - proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: Observed employee drink from a bottle of water in the kitchen. CA: Discussed requirement for employee personal drinks to be in a single use cup with lid and straw.
511-6-1.03(5)(k)
12B - personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: Observed PIC preparing drinks not wearing a hair restraint. CA: Instructed PIC that all employees who work with food (including drinks) and single use items must wear a hair restraint.
511-6-1.03(5)(j)
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Southern Muggs last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Southern Muggs on file is from Jan 22, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Southern Muggs?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Southern Muggs.
How does Southern Muggs compare to other restaurants in Cartersville?
Southern Muggs most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Cartersville average of 90.
Has Southern Muggs' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Southern Muggs have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Southern Muggs means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Southern Muggs inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Southern Muggs is inspected around three times per year on average.
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