The Highlands Grille

486 Arrowridge, Waleska, GA 30183
American
License: Food Service
Last inspected: Feb 19, 2026
61
Score
Medium Risk

The Highlands Grille has been inspected four times since 2024. The most recent report on file is from Feb 19, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around five violations lately compared to roughly three violations before.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “food-contact surfaces”, showing up five times.

The Highlands Grille's latest score of 61 falls below the Georgia average of 88. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

4
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 19, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed: 1. TCS foods in grill cooler being cold held at temperatures ranging from 42-59°F. Top left door is not fully shutting, which is likely causing the temperature abuse. 2. TCS foods in reach-in cooler across from oven being cold held 43-47°F. Doors of coolers are not properly closing. 3. Three bottles of ranch in salad prep top being cold held at 48°F due to improper storage. Bottles were not stored directly in unit. TCS foods must be maintained at a temperature of 41°F or below. COS: Discarded some items and moving others to the walk in cooler and freezer to cool. PIC must be checking temperatures DAILY. Repair tech has been called out to repair this unit.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed the deli meat slicer equipment having food debris along posterior crevics of blade. Slicer was stored as cleaned. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Must clean within 72 hours or before next use, whichever comes first
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
2-2E - response procedures for vomiting & diarrheal events
Inspector notes: Observed no written clean-up procedure for the clean up of vomiting or diarrheal events. Written clean up procedure for bleach was provided during the last inspection. A food establishment shall have written procedures for employees to follow and an EPA registered disinfectant effective against Norovirus available on-site at the food service establishment when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food service establishment. The procedures shall address the specific actions employees must take to minimize the spread of contamination and the exposure of employees, consumers, food, and surfaces to vomitus or fecal matter.
511-6-1.03(6)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed soda nozzle located in the bar with mold accumulation in the holder part. PIC stated the nozzle and holder is cleaned every night. In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, beverage and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee bean grinders, and water vending equipment: (I) At a frequency specified by the manufacturer; or (II) Absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. Must clean within 72 hours or before use, whichever comes first.
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed gasket of grill cooler in poor condition resulting in cooler not being able to fully close; there was slight temperature abuse of TCS foods in front part of cooler. Also observed reach-in cooler across from oven/grill not properly self-closing. Temperature of TCS foods in unit were elevated. The door may be getting left ajar. Both issues must be addressed.
511-6-1.05(6)(a)
61
Sep 25, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
6-2 - proper date marking and disposition (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed chicken wings, blue cheese dressing (containing sour cream), and key lime pie stored past 7 days. A food that requires datemarking shall be discarded if it: (i) Exceeds 7 days, not including the time that the product is frozen; P (ii) Is in a container or package that does not bear a date or day; P or (iii) Is appropriately marked with a date or day that exceeds 7 days. COS by discarding items.
511-6-1.04(6)(h)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed the can opener stored as clean but visibly dirty. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. COS by cleaning the can opener
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed two employees using thermometer to temp food and failing to sanitize probe before and after use. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be cleaned: Before using or storing a food temperature measuring device. COS by CFSM getting alcohol pads and advising employees to use them each time when taking temperatures.
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
70
Jan 2, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
6-2 - proper date marking and disposition (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed food prepared on previous days stored well past their discard date. The oldest TCS food item was prepped 12/5/24. A food that requires datemarking shall be discarded if it: (i) Exceeds 7 days, not including the time that the product is frozen; P (ii) Is in a container or package that does not bear a date or day; P or (iii) Is appropriately marked with a date or day that exceeds 7 days. COS by discarding.
511-6-1.04(6)(h)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed mold/mildew-like build-up in soda gun holster at bar. Except when dry cleaning methods are used as specified under subsection (7)(e) of this Rule, surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not time/temperature control for safety food shall be cleaned: (i) At any time when contamination may have occurred; (ii) At least every 24 hours for iced tea dispensers including nozzles and consumer self-service utensils such as tongs, scoops, or ladles; (iii) Before restocking consumer self-service equipment and utensils such as condiment dispensers and display containers; and (iv) In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, beverage and syrup dispen...
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed martini glass stored face down on dirty shelving at bar. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. COS by washing glass. Shelf must be cleaned and sanitized before re-storing glass.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
70
Feb 9, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
6-1D - time as a public health control: procedures and records (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed incorrect time documentation on eggs utilizing time as a public health control (TPHC). Time documentation showed 4-8PM however, product was out BEFORE 4PM and temped 63°F at 3:45PM. If time without temperature control is used as the public health control up to a maximum of 4 hours: (i) The food shall have an initial temperature of 41°F (5°C) or less when removed from cold holding temperature control, or 135°F (57°C) or greater when removed from hot holding temperature control; P (ii) The food shall be marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control; Pf (iii) The food shall be cooked and served, served at any temperature if ready-to-eat, or discarded, within 4 hours from the point in tim...
511-6-1.04(6)(i)
6-1B - proper hot holding temperatures (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed mashed potatoes being hot held at 115°F. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 135°F or above when being hot held. COS by discarding.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed heavy grease build-up beneath and behind fryers. Area must be thoroughly cleaned. Must increased cleaning frequency.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed build-up on hood vents. Must clean.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
67

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Highlands Grille last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Highlands Grille on file is from Feb 19, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Highlands Grille?

Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at The Highlands Grille.

Has The Highlands Grille's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at The Highlands Grille have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at The Highlands Grille 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 The Highlands Grille inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Highlands Grille is inspected around two times per year on average.