Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue
Last inspected: Jan 6, 2026
67
Score
Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2024. Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue was last inspected on Jan 6, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near six violations per visit across recent inspections.
Across the inspection history, “proper cold holding temperatures” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Restaurants in Rome average 84, so Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
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.
View 6 violations
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)
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)
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)
67
May 1, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
6-1B - proper hot holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed improper hot holding of potentially hazardous, TCS foods below 135 degrees during inspection. Multiple pans of grits held at 112 and 113 degrees in steam well at back kitchen area. Corrective Action: CFSM was notified. Grits were found to be greater than 4 hours old and were discarded. Employees were educated on monitoring of all hot hold food temps to ensure 135 degrees or greater at all times.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
15B - warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, used; test strips
Inspector notes: Observed no test strips provided for quat ammonia food contact sanitizer. Corrective Action: CFSM was notified. Sanitizer strips will be ordered asap. This will be rechecked
511-6-1.05(3)(h)
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. Bottled drink stored at waitress station. Open coffee cup stored over cookline. Corrective Action: CFSM 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)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee food items stored in reach-in coolers with customer foods during inspection. Corrective Action: CFSM was notified. All employee food items were relocated to designated cooler areas labeled for this purpose.
511-6-1.07(4)(b)
70
Sep 3, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: observed ice machine interior with black and pink build up. CA: discussed cleaning procedures with pic-health dept. will re-check (will have professionally serviced/cleaned before re-check
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed dry storage room floor/shelving with accumulation of dust/debris and clutter. CA: discussed cleaning/organizing and removing clutter with pic
511-6-1.07(2)(a)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed hole in wall in dry storage room. CA: discussed repairing wall with pic
511-6-1.07(2)(a)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Observed dust build up on filters in dry storage and on ice machine. CA: discussed cleaning filters and vents with pic
511-6-1.07(2)(j)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed sliced and diced tomatoes stored in containers of water in cooler. CA: discussed food storage with pic-pic discarded tomatoes
511-6-1.04(4)(i)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed ice buildup throughout the entire outside of the make table beside the grill. CA: discussed repairing/removing ice buildup and servicing and cleaning cooler with pic
511-6-1.05(6)(q)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed cardboard used throughout facility. CA: discussed removing all cardboard with pic
511-6-1.05(1)(a)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed build up on bottom of cooler with hash brown liquids and several areas with grease build up. CA: discussed cleaning procedures with pic
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
64
Feb 13, 2024
Followup
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed TCS foods held above 41 degrees F in several cooler locations-thermometers reading high in both coolers. CA: discussed cold holding with pic-pic moved food to another location while coolers are repaired/serviced
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
6-1B - proper hot holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed chili hot holding below 135 degrees F in steam well on right. CA: discussed hot holding with pic-pic reheated chili on stove top to above 165 degrees F (pic will monitor temperature setting on steam well)
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed ice machine interior with black and pink build up. CA: discussed cleaning procedures with pic-health dept. will re-check (will have professionally serviced/cleaned before re-check
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Observed back door not closing properly. CA: discussed door with pic-pic will have it serviced/repaired
511-6-1.07(2)(m)
64
Feb 1, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed waffle batter in reach in cooler held above 41 degrees F (52 degrees F) and ice buildup on interior of cooler. CA: discussed cold holding with pic-pic moved batter to another reach in cooler until repaired and re-checked
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed potentially hazardous TCS foods being cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed multiple TCS foods (chicken, sausage patty, hamburger patty) in cooler located beside main grill line being cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. CA: PIC discarded all TCS foods held above 41 degrees Fahrenheit and will have cooler serviced. This will be rechecked by the Health Department.
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed ice machine interior with black and pink build up. CA: discussed cleaning procedures with pic-health dept. will re-check
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed tables wiped with cleaner/degreaser. CA: discussed with pic-employees went to back area and found the correct sanitizer in spray bottle for wiping tables.
511-6-1.05(6)(n)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed reach in cooler holding TCS foods above 41 degrees F and door not sealing properly, reach in cooler with batter mix with ice build up on top interior holding batter above 41 degrees F CA: discussed repairing equipment with pic-cooler repairman (from waffle house-Skip) come to facility and was working on cooler during inspection-cooler to be re-inspected by health department.
511-6-1.05(6)(q)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed grease build up throughout kitchen, around grill, on grill vents, under equipment/coolers, inside of coolers, cooler gaskets, inside drawers under grill storing pans and utensils. CA: discussed cleaning procedures/frequency with pic-pic will clean
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed personal food items in reach in cooler not separated and labeled along with jars of jelly/jam in walk in cooler not from approved source. CA: discussed personal items must be labeled and kept in container for personal use only separated from facility food with pic
511-6-1.07(4)(b)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Observed live roaches in kitchen on left side under soda machine cabinet. CA: Discussed pest control frequency with PIC and cleaning kitchen with pic PIC will contact pest control service for increased treatment frequency. Pest control treatment will be verified by the Health Department.
511-6-1.07(5)(k)
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue on file is from Jan 6, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue?
Across the inspection record, “proper cold holding temperatures” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue.
How does Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue compare to other restaurants in Rome?
Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Rome average of 84.
Has Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue 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 Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Waffle House #35 - Shorter Avenue is inspected around three times per year on average.
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