Southern Roots
Last inspected: Apr 8, 2026
67
Score
The health department has logged five inspections at Southern Roots, the earliest from 2024. The most recent report on file is from Apr 8, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surfaces” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
By comparison, the average Mcdonough facility scores 79, putting Southern Roots on the weaker side. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 8, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
6-2 - proper date marking and disposition
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed pimento cheese prepped on 3/25, sour cream prepped on 3/27, blue cheese prepped on 4/1, and honey mustard prepped on 3/27 with expiration dates that exceeded 7 days. All items should be kept for a total of 7 days. Items were discarded (COS).
511-6-1.04(6)(h)
16A - hot and cold water available; adequate pressure
Inspector notes: Observed the water pressure low on both unisex restrooms upstairs and the women's restroom downstairs. The water pressure must be restored by 4/13/26. Please send a work order to sabrina.young@dph.ga.gov by 4/13/26.
511-6-1.06(1)(g)
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
Inspector notes: Observed dishes air stacked wet nesting in the kitchen on the clean dishes rack. Dishes must be properly air dried before stacking.
511-6-1.05(10)(a)
17B - garbage/refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: Observed the drain plug missing on the outside dumpster. Contact the waste department.
511-6-1.06(5)(o)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed the walls in the walk in cooler with rust accumulation and underneath the motor with a dust accumulation.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
67
Aug 21, 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: Observed the bulk ice machine with a black mold-like build up on the interior surface. Advised PIC to clean the machine weekly and do a monthly deep clean. PIC immediately cleaned the machine (COS).
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed the handwashing sink at the bar with a black build up. Make sure to keep all nonfood contact surfaces clean.
511-6-1.05(7)(d)
86
Feb 27, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed the ice bin at the upstairs bar with a green mold-like substance. If the ice bin is not in use then place an "out of order" sign on it, and make sure that it is maintained. Observed dirty serving trays stored with clean serving trays. Also, observed the bulk ice machine upstairs (bar area) with a black debris.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
14A - in-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: Observed several wing bowls on top of the heat lamp not protected from contamination. Advised PIC to cover the bowls to prevent contamination of the wings being tossed.
511-6-1.04(4)(k)
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
Inspector notes: Observed skillets stored on top of the oven not inverted to protect from contamination. Make sure to store clean dishes inverted.
511-6-1.05(10)(e)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed the reach in cooler at the bar with red syrup on the top shelf. Also, observed food debris underneath the lid of the prep top cooler. Please clean the cooler and nonfood contact surfaces regularly.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Observed several gnats throughout the kitchen and bar area. Also, observed a small and big dead roach on the floor at the bar. Please have pest control to treat for gnats to control them throughout the facility. Please remove dead insects from the facility.
511-6-1.07(5)(k)
74
Aug 29, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a metal pan used to store the ice scoop for the drink machine with a black mold-like debris. Observed the drink nozzle at the bar with a debris inside of it. Employee started the cleaning process (COS).
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
4-2A - food stored covered
Inspector notes: Observed a pan of chicken wings in the walk in cooler (under the vent blowers) without a lid to protect it from contamination.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
12B - personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: Observed the cook in the kitchen with hair hanging down. Hair will need to be pulled up and restrained.
511-6-1.03(5)(j)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed the vents (blowers) in both walk in coolers in need of cleaning due to a thick debris. Observed the bottom of the reach in cooler in need of cleaning (at bar on 2nd floor).
511-6-1.05(1)(i)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed underneath the shelves in the walk in cooler in need of cleaning.
511-6-1.07(2)(a)
74
Feb 16, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed the serving shelf in the kitchen with a rust substance on it. Please seal the shelf or replace it to prevent contamination of food products.
511-6-1.05(2)(a)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed the vents (blowers) in the beer walk in cooler in need of cleaning due to dust debris.
511-6-1.05(2)(d)
16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Observed the faucet on the 3-compartmetn sink leaking water. Please repair the faucet.
511-6-1.06(2)(r)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed the floor in the kitchen with several chips. Please sand/strip the paint and have it repainted so that the floor is smooth, easily cleanable, and nonabsorbent.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Southern Roots last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Southern Roots on file is from Apr 8, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Southern Roots?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Southern Roots.
How does Southern Roots compare to other restaurants in Mcdonough?
Southern Roots most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Mcdonough average of 79.
Has Southern Roots' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Southern Roots have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Southern Roots 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 Roots inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Southern Roots is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants