Little Nicky’s New York Pizza in Knoxville received a health inspection grade of 77, signaling several critical violations that could potentially lead to foodborne illnesses. The restaurant, located on Oak Ridge Highway, was flagged for issues ranging from improper handwashing to unclean kitchen conditions.
While a grade of 77 is considered passing (with anything below 69 being a failing score), the inspection revealed multiple concerning violations. One of the most serious was the observation of a cook transitioning from handling money at the cash register directly to preparing food without changing gloves or washing hands. Additionally, another cook was seen touching subs and pizzas with bare hands, a violation of food safety protocols that require gloves when handling food.
The health inspector also noted the absence of soap and paper towels at the employee hand sink, which further hindered proper hand hygiene. Furthermore, some foods that should have been kept under a protective glass display were left exposed to the open air, increasing the risk of contamination. Personal hygiene was another concern, with one employee’s long hair not secured, posing a potential risk of hair contamination in food.
The kitchen conditions were also subpar, with the inspector reporting a significant buildup of dirt, particularly around the kitchen and microwave oven, which required immediate cleaning.
Following a follow-up inspection, Little Nicky’s New York Pizza made the necessary corrections to address these critical violations. The restaurant’s new grade after the re-inspection was a much-improved 94.
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