Tamez Barbecue
Last inspected: Mar 20, 2026
78
Score
Public records show six inspections at Tamez Barbecue stretching back to 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 20, 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 four violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “food stored covered” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
By comparison, the average Athens facility scores 88, putting Tamez Barbecue on the weaker side. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 20, 2026
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Quaternary ammonium sanitizer at 0ppm in sanitizer buckets & 3-compartment sink. CA: Quaternary ammonium sanitizer must be maintained at range specified by manufacturer. PIC mixed buckets and sink by hand to correct concentration.
511-6-1.05(6)(n)
2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Neither hand sink supplied with soap. Corrective action (CA): All hand sinks must have soap available at all times. Person in charge (PIC) supplied sinks with soap.
511-6-1.07(3)(a)
4-2A - food stored covered
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Raw chicken stored uncovered in reach-in cooler. CA: All foods must be covered in storage unless in active cooling. PIC covered chicken.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
78
Oct 28, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
5-2 - consumer advisory provided for raw and undercooked foods
Inspector notes: Cook to order eggs available on menu with no consumer advisory. Corrective action (CA): If any food is offered raw or undercooked, a consumer advisory must be on the menu to include reminder and disclosure.
511-6-1-.04(7)(e)
14A - in-use utensils: properly stored
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Cup used as scoop in bulk sugar. Person in charge (PIC) removed cup.
511-6-1.04(4)(k)
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
Inspector notes: Observed metal pans stacked wet in ware washing area.
511-6-1.05(10)(e)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed heavily melted and chipping spatula in kitchen. PIC discarded spatula.
511-6-1.05(6)(q)
78
Apr 23, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed sanitizer bucket concentration below 150ppm quaternary ammonium; not in active use. Sanitizer added to bucket to reach concentration of 200ppm.
511-6-1.04(4)(m)
13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing
Inspector notes: Most recent inspection report not displayed in conspicuous view. Copy of report not displayed in drive-thru.
511-6-1.02(1)(d)
90
Apr 2, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
4-1A - food separated and protected
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw chicken stored above raw beef and multiple ready-to-eat (RTE) foods in reach-in cooler. CA: Store raw meats according to cooking temperature, where raw meats with higher cooking temperatures are stored below those with lower cooking temperatures. Store raw meat below and separate from RTE foods to prevent contamination. Person in charge (PIC) rearranged storage order of reach-in cooler to reflect proper order.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed milk and liquid egg in reach-in cooler (RIC) #1 at 51 F. CA: All time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be held at 41 F or below for cold holding. TCS items determined to be out of temperature for less than an hour, so PIC moved them to functioning RIC.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
15B - warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, used; test strips
Inspector notes: Sanitizer test strips not provided at 3-compartment sink.
511-6-1.05(3)(h)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Reach-in cooler not operating at 41 F or below. Ambient temperature reading at 60 F from internal cooler thermometer. PIC advised to not store any TCS items in RIC until it can be serviced.
511-6-1.05(6)(a)
64
Oct 25, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
4-1A - food separated and protected
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw chicken stored above raw steak, eggs, and ready-to-eat (RTE) barbecue sauce. Corrective action (CA): Store raw animal foods according to cooking temperature, where raw animal foods with higher temperatures are stored below those with lower cooking temperatures (ex: chicken below steak). Store raw animal foods below and separate from RTE foods to prevent contamination. Person in charge (PIC) moved raw chicken to bottom shelf and barbecue sauce above all raw animal foods.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed mold in front ice machine. CA: Clean and sanitize ice machine frequently enough to preclude mold growth.
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Front door and windows propped open.
511-6-1.07(2)(m)
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
Inspector notes: Observed containers stacked wet on dry dish rack near 3-compartment sink. Allow to fully air-dry before stacking.
511-6-1.05(10)(e)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Observed numerous flies throughout establishment.
511-6-1.07(5)(k)
67
Apr 3, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Multiple time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods above 41F in reach-in cooler (RIC) #1. Corrective action (CA): All TCS foods when cold held must be kept at 41F or less. TCS food in cooler for less than 4 hours moved to RIC #2, TCS food in RIC #1 for more than 4 hours discarded.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
6-1B - proper hot holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Multiple TCS food items below 135F in hot holding cabinet. CA: All TCS foods when hot held must be kept at 135F or higher. Food confirmed to have been out of temperature for less than 4 hours. Food rapidly reheated in stove.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: RIC #1 not maintaining food at 41F or less. Gaskets fraying on RIC #1 and make table.
511-6-1.05(6)(a)
16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Back of hand washing sink leaking. Mop sink not draining.
511-6-1.06(2)(r)
17B - garbage/refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: Doors not closed on dumpster. Lid not shut on recycling dumpster.
511-6-1.06(5)(n)
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tamez Barbecue last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tamez Barbecue on file is from Mar 20, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tamez Barbecue?
Across the inspection record, “food stored covered” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tamez Barbecue.
How does Tamez Barbecue compare to other restaurants in Athens?
Tamez Barbecue most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Athens average of 88.
Has Tamez Barbecue's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tamez Barbecue have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Tamez Barbecue 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 Tamez Barbecue inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tamez Barbecue is inspected around three times per year on average.
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