Three Dollar Cafe
Last inspected: Apr 15, 2026
64
Score
Across the available record, Three Dollar Cafe has five inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The most recent report on file is from Apr 15, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around six violations, down from roughly 10 violations earlier in the record.
The pattern that stands out is “food separated and protected”, which has been cited four times.
Three Dollar Cafe's latest score of 64 falls below the Mcdonough average of 79. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 15, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
4-1A - food separated and protected
Inspector notes: Observed raw eggs stored above cooked pork in the reach in cooler. Observed a bag of raw carrots stored next to boxes of raw chicken in the walk in cooler. Observed raw celery stored next to raw shelled eggs in the walk in cooler. In the reach in cooler, observed raw salmon above raw vegetables. PIC corrected items on site.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed black slime build up on the interior ceiling of the ice machine. Advised PIC to cease using the ice machine until it is cleaned. PIC will place an "out of order" sign on the machine. The ice machine must be deep cleaned by 4/9/26.
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed a thick build up on shelves in beef walk in cooler due to the shelves being absorbent. PIC will have the shelves replaced by 4/15/26. Email a plan of action for shelves replacement to robert.lewis1@dph.ga.gov. Observed the shelves in the walk in cooler in need of cleaning.
511-6-1.05(1)(i)
17B - garbage/refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: Observed grease build up around the outside grease receptacle. PIC advised that the dumpster area will be cleaned by 4/11/26.
511-6-1.06(5)(o)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed dust build up above the preparation area in the kitchen. Observed build up on the floors beneath the equipment in the walk in cooler, walk in freezer, and bar area. Observed stagnant water on the floor tile in the serving area. Observed the outside walk in cooler floor in bad repair.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Observed a strong odor coming from the floor drains in the food preparation aera. PIC will clean and sanitize floor drains by 04/11/26.
511-6-1.07(3)(g)
64
Sep 8, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 11 violations
8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
Inspector notes: Observed a bottle of bleach stored next to single use articles on the shelf outside of the restrooms.
511-6-1.07(6)(c)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed soda spouts contained build up at the bar. Also observed the ice bin located in the bar outside contained build up. Bowls used to toss wings were stored beneath a table with severe build. PIC removed the bowls and will clean the area beneath the preparation table by 9/9/25.
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored
Inspector notes: Observed wiping cloths stored in sanitizer buckets that did not meet the minimum concentration requirements from Quat. Quat sanitizer was observed at 0 ppm. Quat sanitizer must reach 200 to 400 PPM. PIC corrected on site by remaking the sanitizer buckets.
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
Inspector notes: Observed plates, bowls, forks, and knives not properly inverted. PIC corrected on site.
511-6-1.05(10)(e)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed a broken door handle on the reach in cooler at the bar. PIC will repair the door handle to prevent injury by 9/15/25. Raw wooded shelf in the walk in cooler must be properly sealed to allow proper cleaning.
511-6-1.05(1)(a)
16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Observed the three compartment sink leaking and the plumbing on the mop sink was in bad repair. A bag was used to repair the leak. PIC will have the leak repaired by 9/15/25. Observed condensation build up at the bottom of two reach in coolers. PIC will contact maintenance and have the coolers repaired by 9/15/25.
511-6-1.06(2)(r)
17A - toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, cleaned
Inspector notes: Observed three unapproved portable toilets outside for customer and employee use while the restrooms are being renovated. According to the PIC, the men's restroom renovation is near completion. The women's restroom will be renovated next week according to the PIC. PIC will submit the plans for renovation to robert.lewis1@dph.ga.gov and don.lucas@dph.ga.gov by 9/9/25.
511-6-1.06(2)(h)
17B - garbage/refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: Observed build up on top of the grease receptable. Also observed unnecessary clutter in the dumpster/cooler storage area behind the building.
511-6-1.06(5)(o)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed the floor tile in bad repair throughout the kitchen area. Floor tile must be repaired and/or regrouted by 10/1/25.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Observed rust build up on the HVAC exhaust vents. PIC will remove rust and paint the vents by 9/15/25. Also observed build up on the air curtain above the back door.
511-6-1.07(2)(j)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed customers with a dog on the patio. PIC advised to submit a plan of action to robert.lewis1@dph.ga.gov. in regard to designated the patio as a pet friendly area. PIC will provide the plan of action by 9/15/25. Also observed several dead insects and bugs on a glue trapped below the storage room shelf. PIC will remove the glue board by 9/9/25. Self closing device on the backdoor was in bad repair. The self closure must be repaired by 9/15/25 to prevent entry of pest.
511-6-1.07(5)(l)
50
Mar 10, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 9 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed the sanitizer solution did not meet the required minimum concentration of 50-100 ppm of chlorine solution. The dishmachines sanitizing solution was observed at 0 ppm. As a corrective action, PIC primed the dishmachine and retested the sanitizer solution. Once retested, the sanitizer solution was observed at 50 ppm.
511-6-1.05(6)(n)
2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
Inspector notes: Observed an employee use the hand sink to rinse a knife. PIC advised that hand sinks must be used for handwashing only. Observed the handsink was blocked with the chicken cambros and food preparation equipment. The handsink must be accessible at all times.
511-6-1.07(3)(c)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed bowl of chips stored uncovered on the top shelve above the food preparation area. The chips were exposed to dust build up from the ceiling. CA-PIC removed and covered the bowl of chips. Also observed a bucket of pickles stored on the floor in the walk in cooler. Observed mold like substance in the ice located in the bar area. PIC discarded the ice and cleaned/sanitized the ice bin. Observed several buckets of TCS foods (Vegetables) stored uncovered in the walk in beer cooler (Outside)
511-6-1.04(4)(q)
12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed wiping cloths stored in sanitizer buckets that did not meet the minimum concentration requirements from Quat. Quat sanitizer was observed at 100 ppm. Quat sanitizer must reach 200 to 400 PPM. PIC corrected on site by remaking the sanitizer buckets.
511-6-1.04(4)(m)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed exterior surfaces of cooking equipment contained build up. Also observed the exterior of the mobile cambros used to store raw chicken during food preparation in bad repair.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed waste water not properly draining in the floor drain below the handsink.CA- PIC relocated the waste water pipe directly above the floor drain. Observed backflow valve preventer missing on the water hoses in the back of the building and mop sink.
511-6-1.06(2)(r)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed stagnant water on the floor in the walk in cooler and the beer cooler. PIC advised to ensure that all floors are clean and free from stagnant water build up. Also observed build up on the ceiling and ceiling vents. Floor tile missing at the entrance of the back door.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Employee bag improperly stored in the food storage area. Employee personal belongings cannot be stored in the food preparation or food storage areas.
511-6-1.07(5)(j)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Observed a live cat behind the bar on the patio. PIC removed the cat from behind the bar. Dead bugs observed below the fly light in the kitchen. Exterior door in the kitchen does not properly close. Observed gaps in the side of the door which could potentially lead to pest entry.
511-6-1.07(5)(l)
61
Sep 20, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
4-1A - food separated and protected
Inspector notes: Raw chicken stored next to cooked chicken in the reach in cooler. Raw chicken and seafood stored above open container of mozzarella sticks.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed sanitizer solution bottle at 0 ppm. PIC discarded the bottle of liquid. Ice machine contained rust on metal beam inside the ice machine.
511-6-1.05(6)(n)
2-2B - proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee drink on the preparation table. Also observed a pack of open nerd candy sitting in a clean pot in the dishwashing area
511-6-1.03(5)(k)
4-2A - food stored covered
Inspector notes: Observed mozzarella sticks and products in the walk in cooler and freezer uncovered. Grits also observed uncovered in the reach in cooler
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
14A - in-use utensils: properly stored
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Utensils stored improperly (knives in between equipment)
511-6-1.04(4)(k)
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
Inspector notes: Wet pans observed stored on top of each other in the dish storage area
511-6-1.05(10)(a)
64
Mar 6, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed that TCS foods do not all meet temperatures of 41F or below including raw fish, raw shrimp, noodles, mac and cheese, and raw burgers
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
6-1B - proper hot holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed chopped chicken being hot-held in the steam table at a temperature below 135F.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Broken pieces of glass observed in the bar glass cooler. Dish machine sanitizer solution (Chlorine) observed at 0 ppm. PIC did not have additional chlorine solution. The chlorine bucket was empty. PIC will use three compartment sink to wash rinse and sanitize dishes. Rust build up observed on the interior of the ice machine
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
4-2A - food stored covered
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Several products observed in the walk in cooler near the dumpster uncovered
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Bottom of preparation table shelves contained rust
511-6-1.05(1)(i)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Ceiling and ceiling vents along with the walls contained build up
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Fly fan filter contained build up Hood filter plates contained build up
511-6-1.05(3)(d)
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Three Dollar Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Three Dollar Cafe on file is from Apr 15, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Three Dollar Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “food separated and protected” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Three Dollar Cafe.
How does Three Dollar Cafe compare to other restaurants in Mcdonough?
Three Dollar Cafe most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Mcdonough average of 79.
Has Three Dollar Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Three Dollar Cafe have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Three Dollar Cafe 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 Three Dollar Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Three Dollar Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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