Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue
Last inspected: Jan 6, 2026
67
Score
WAFFLE HOUSE #35, located at 1601 Shorter Ave in Rome, GA, underwent a moderate-risk inspection on January 6, 2026. This inspection identified one critical violation and five minor violations, including issues with proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use, cold holding temperatures, and the storage of single-use articles. Previous inspections for this facility have predominantly fallen into the medium-risk category.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 6, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
67
May 1, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
70
Sep 3, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
64
Feb 13, 2024
Followup
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 2 corrected on site.
64
Feb 1, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
50
Violations — Jan 6, 2026 Inspection
2-2B - proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed unapproved employee drinks without lids and straws stored in kitchen area. Bottled drink stored in back prep area. Corrective Action: PIC was notified. All unapproved employee drinks were discarded. Employees were reminded that only drinks in cups with lids and straws are allowed and must be stored properly.
511-6-1.03(5)(k)
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed potentially hazardous, TCS foods being cold held at greater than 41 degrees F in multiple coolers throughout facility during inspection. Cookline Reach-In: Raw Chicken- 46 degrees, Raw Ground Beef- 46 degrees, Raw Bacon- 46 degrees, and Raw Pork Chops- 45 degrees. Prep Top Cooler: Sliced Cheese- 54 degrees, Sliced Lettuce- 53 degrees, and Sliced Ham- 48 degrees. Main 2 Door Reach In: Waffle Batter- 45 degrees, Sliced Cheese- 45 degrees, and Vegetable Soup- 43 degrees. Dessert Reach-In: Chocolate Milk- 44 degrees, Milk- 43 degrees, and Creamer- 45 degrees. Cooler Drawers: Chopped Ham- 43 degrees, Sliced Ham- 49 degrees, and Sliced Cheese- 44 degrees. Back Reach-In: Half and Half- 50 degrees, Chocolate Milk- 48 degrees, and Milk- 46 degrees. Walk-In Cooler: Sliced Ham- 45 degrees...
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
14C - single-use/single-service articles: properly stored, used
Inspector notes: Observed single use cups stored in unprotected dispensers without proper covers in several locations throughout kitchen. Cups are also being overfilled in dispensers so that covers cannot be installed on top for protection. Corrective Action: PIC was notified. Employees were assigned to remove excess cups in all dispensers and cover these units with aluminum foil for protection until proper cup dispenser covers can be ordered. This will be rechecked.
511-6-1.05(6)(r)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed build up of hash brown liquids on bottom of front reach in cooler during inspection. Corrective Action: Discussed with PIC cleaning and sanitizing bottom of reach in cooler. Hash brown containers should be placed in a pan to prevent leakage into cooler in the future.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed black buildup on gaskets of walk-in cooler and several reach in coolers throughout kitchen during inspection. Corrective Action: PIC was notified. Employees were assigned to clean and sanitize all gaskets onsite. This should be done regularly to prevent buildup.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Observed live roaches in facility during inspection. Roaches observed on counter top in front kitchen and on floors and walls in back kitchen area. Corrective Action: PIC is aware of ongoing roach issue and has contacted licensed commercial pest control company for immediate treatment. Monthly pest control records were verified. Management was instructed to increase treatment frequency to every 2 weeks until issue is resolved. Documentation is required. This will be rechecked by Health Dept.
511-6-1.07(5)(k)
Priority (Critical)
Priority Foundation (Major)
Core (Minor)
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