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Restaurant · Wake County, NC

Moe's Southwest Grill #683

280 Meeting St

Last inspected Apr 6, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 97.5

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

1 - Inspection

Apr 6, 2026

Score 97.5

Official score: 97.5 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

notedCode 2-103.11(O) Employee Health Policy is not available to the manager. Manager called the provided crisis phone number in the records for where to report complaints of Salmonella and E. coli but was was unsupported. There is a form available from the state available electronically. Ensure food employees are informed of their responsibility to report required symptomsPermits, training, and postings

Official wording

Management; food & conditional employee; knowledge; responsibilities & reporting

Inspector’s notes

2-103.11(O) Employee Health Policy is not available to the manager. Manager called the provided crisis phone number in the records for where to report complaints of Salmonella and E. coli but was was unsupported. There is a form available from the state available electronically. Ensure food employees are informed of their responsibility to report required symptoms; illnesses and exposure.-PF Have available the company supported employee health policy. Today we posted a poster for employees with illnesses and symptoms that need to be reported to the manager and a chart to help know what action to take.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
notedCode —Handwashing

Official wording

Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible

Inspector’s notes

5-202.12 Only cold water is available at the handwashing sinks. Provide at least 100F water at handsinks.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 4-903.11(A)Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Utensils; equipment & linens: properly stored; dried & handled

Inspector’s notes

4-903.11(A); (B) and (D); Core; Metal Square Refrigerator lids are not clean and are stored on the floor under the front counter. Elevate storage off the floor and keep lids for the refrigerator in a clean and protected location. Lids were taken to the ware washing sink for cleaning.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 4-501.14 Warewashing EquipmentCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewashing facilities: installed; maintained & used; test strips

Inspector’s notes

4-501.14 Warewashing Equipment; Cleaning Frequency (C) 3-compartment ware washing sink needs daily cleaning; including the back splash. Use detergent to clean the sink. . . Assure hot water is available on the right side. 4-501.18 Warewashing Equipment; Clean Solutions (C) Sanitizer is soiled with food debris. Properly wash; rinse and then sanitize wares. Replace sanitizer when it becomes soiled.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 5-501.115Facility maintenance

Official wording

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspector’s notes

5-501.115; Core; Cardboard boxes are on the ground and trays from Moes outside of the dumpster on the ground. Pick up the trash off of the ground and place into dumpster. properly discard cardboard. Recommend contacting the landlord because there is substantially more trash on the ground from another restaurant.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Apr 6, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Oct 3, 2025

Score 95.5

Official score: 95.5 · Understand this area’s scale

6 recorded violations

notedCode 4-601.11 (A) EquipmentCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11 (A) Equipment; Food-Contact Surfaces (Pf) The food preparation sink with the Ecolab produce wash is not clean. There is black build-up surrounding the Ecolab produce wash hose. Hose must be moved aside to effectively clean inside the sink basin. Effective cleaning with detergent is needed; followed by rinsing and sanitizing of surfaces. Black build up indicates the sink is not being cleaned where produce wash is dispensed into the sink; remove the hose if it continues to create an obstacle to cleaning. Cleaning and sanitizing of the food preparation sink was directed during inspection.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 3-305.11 Walk-in cooler shelving is heavily soiled. Floor under the shelves is not clean and shelving unit is propped up with metal pans. Store food in a cleanContamination

Official wording

Contamination prevented during food preparation; storage & display

Inspector’s notes

3-305.11 Walk-in cooler shelving is heavily soiled. Floor under the shelves is not clean and shelving unit is propped up with metal pans. Store food in a clean; dry location; not exposed to contamination. Detailed cleaning of the walk in cooler is needed. Several shelving components not currently in use were taken to the ware washing sink for soaking in soapy water to remove visible microbial growth and debris.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
notedCode 4-903.11 (A) Shelves for clean pans and wares are not clean. Remove shelves for regular cleaning in the ware washing sink. . . . Hooks above the ware washing sink for hanging utensils are greasyEquipment and utensils

Official wording

Utensils; equipment & linens: properly stored; dried & handled

Inspector’s notes

4-903.11 (A) Shelves for clean pans and wares are not clean. Remove shelves for regular cleaning in the ware washing sink. . . . Hooks above the ware washing sink for hanging utensils are greasy; not clean. Store cleaned equipment; utensils; linens in a clean; dry location; where they are not exposed to splash; dust; or other contamination. Clean areas and surfaces used to store clean wares and utensils regularly.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 4-202.15 Can Opener and mount are not clean. Cutting or piercing parts of can openers shall be readily removable for cleaning and for replacement. If can opener can no longer be effectively cleanedCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Equipment; food & non-food contact surfaces approved; cleanable; properly designed; constructed & used

Inspector’s notes

4-202.15 Can Opener and mount are not clean. Cutting or piercing parts of can openers shall be readily removable for cleaning and for replacement. If can opener can no longer be effectively cleaned; replace it. Can opener was taken to the ware washing sink for soaking in soapy water. 4-501.11 There is no lower drain on preparation sink that should be available for chicken preparation. Waste water; sewage would flow to the floor; not the drain; if the sink gets used. Maintain equipment in good repair.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 4-501.14 Warewashing EquipmentCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewashing facilities: installed; maintained & used; test strips

Inspector’s notes

4-501.14 Warewashing Equipment; Cleaning Frequency (C) 3-compartment ware washing sink needs daily cleaning; including the back splash. Use detergent to clean the sink. . . Hot water would not flow from the faucet on the right side. Assure hot water is available. Manager had to work with another faucet to minimize the cross flow of cold water to get hot water at the right sink faucet.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 6-501.12 CleaningCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed; maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

6-501.12 Cleaning; Frequency (C) Wall surrounding the food preparation sink is not clean. Remove the black build-up. Attachments on the wall may need to be removed to effectively clean the area. Outlet in this preparation area also needs cleaning.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Oct 3, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jan 7, 2025

Score 95.5

Official score: 95.5 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

notedCode 3-501.16 (A) (2) and (B) Time / Temperature Control for Safety FoodFood temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 (A) (2) and (B) Time / Temperature Control for Safety Food; Hot and Cold Holding; Priority; Salsas in salsa bar at 50-60F. TCS (Time/Temperature Controlled for Safety) foods shall be held cold at 41F or below. Salsa cooler plugged into power strip that was switched off. Salsas voluntarily discarded during inspection; new salsas added to unit after allowing unit to turn on. Full points taken for repeat violation on salsa cold holding cooler.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 3-501.13 ThawingFood temperature

Official wording

Approved thawing methods used

Inspector’s notes

3-501.13 Thawing; Priority Foundation; Food shall be thawed under refrigeration and for a period of time that does not allow thawed portions of a raw animal food requiring cooking to be above 5oC (41oF); for more than 4 hours including: (a) The time the food is exposed to the running water and the time needed for preparation for cooking; or (b) The time it takes under refrigeration to lower the food temperature to 5oC (41oF). Steak moved to walk-in cooler at beginning of inspection. Steak was 50F in walk-in cooler after checking. Ensure thawed foods do not exceed 41F. Steak not going to be cooked until later if needed and steak moved to walk-in cooler

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 3-305.11Contamination

Official wording

Contamination prevented during food preparation; storage & display

Inspector’s notes

3-305.11; Core; Food Storage - Preventing Contamination from the Premises; Two large chip bins stored on shelf next to front handsink. This handsink does not have a splash guard installed. Store food in a clean; dry location; not exposed to splash; dust; or other contamination. Chips moved during inspection.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Jan 7, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Feb 26, 2024

Score 92.5

Official score: 92.5 · Understand this area’s scale

9 recorded violations

majorCode 5-202.12Handwashing

Official wording

Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible

Inspector’s notes

5-202.12; Core; Only cold water is supplied in the toilet room. Water is 59 degrees F. Provide water at 100 degrees F for handwashing. ; 5-205.11; Priority Foundation; Handwashing sink is blocked by brooms; dust pan; cleaning tools. Maintain clear access to the handwashing sink. Do not store items in front of the handwashing sink. . The handwashing sink in the front area has a paddle stored across it. Handwashing sinks shall be used exclusively for handwashing. Paddle was removed and brooms relocated.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
majorCode 4-601.11 (A)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11 (A); Priority Foundation; Food Preparation Sink is heavily soiled; coated in a hard build~up. Effectively clean the sink after each use with scrub pad and detergent. After cleaning and rinsing; apply sanitizer and allow to air dry. . . Can Opener is not clean (and may need to be replaced). Sink and Can opener cleaning was started during today's inspection.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
criticalCode 3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Open Top Make~Line Refrigerator has Diced Tomato at 45F. Fan has stopped functioning in the unit and repairman called for servicing. We discussed holding tomatoes for a maximum of 4 hours with labeling and discarding until unit maintains 41F. . . Salsa Bar is not holding food at 41F as required: El Guapo Mild Salsa 56F; Kaiser Salsa 63F; Green Salsa 56F. Salsas were removed and discarded. Manager discovered the salsa bar unit is turned off. Unit was turned on and salsa replaced with fresh salsa.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 4-501.14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewashing facilities: installed; maintained & used; test strips

Inspector’s notes

4-501.14; Core; 3 compartment ware washing sink is not clean. Use detergent to clean sink basins and backsplash daily. Fill sanitizer into a clean sink.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 4-601.11(B) and (C)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Shelves throughout the kitchen and inside the walk in cooler are not clean. Some shelves were removed for cleaning today. Extensive cleaning is needed throughout. Maintain equipment clean

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 6-501.18Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Toilet facilities: properly constructed; supplied & cleaned

Inspector’s notes

6-501.18; Core; Handwashing sinks in the toilet rooms are heavily soiled. Areas of the toilets are also not clean. Effectively clean the toilet rooms.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 5-501.115Facility maintenance

Official wording

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspector’s notes

5-501.115; Core; Three Moes El Guapo Salsa boxes are on the ground in the dumpster enclosure. Dumpster enclosure; is soiled; needs to be pressured washed and debris removed. Maintain dumpster area clean and ensure trash and boxes go into the receptacles.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
minorCode 6-501.113Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed; maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

6-501.113; Core; Several brooms and similar items are stored in the kitchen; including in front of the handwashing sink. Store maintenance tools in designated location; away from the handwashing sink access area.; 6-501.12; Core; Floor and walls are not clean. Gasline under the hood and above the handwashing sink is heavily soiled. Maintain physical facilities clean.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 6-303.11Facility maintenance

Official wording

Meets ventilation & lighting requirements; designated areas used

Inspector’s notes

6-303.11; Core; Lighting is low. Light fixture is out in the back kitchen above the hot holding cabinet and handwashing sink. Restore lighting to 50 foot candles in all areas knives are handled and food is prepared. Consider the Duke Energy program to convert lights to LED.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Feb 26, 2024 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Oct 4, 2023

Score 95.5

Official score: 95.5 · Understand this area’s scale

8 recorded violations

majorCode 4-601.11 (A)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11 (A); Priority Foundation; Metal Square Refrigerator Lids are not clean; stored on the floor under the front counter. Regular cleaning is needed. Refrigerator lids were taken to the ware washing sink for cleaning.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
majorCode 7-102.11Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified stored & used

Inspector’s notes

7-102.11; Priority Foundation; Unknown chemical containing ammonia is stored in a sanitizer spray bottle in the food preparation area. Maintain chemicals properly labeled. Spray bottle was emptied; washed in hot water and nozzle discarded.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
criticalCode 3-306.11Contamination

Official wording

Contamination prevented during food preparation; storage & display

Inspector’s notes

3-306.11; Priority; Ice Machine is broken. There is a pan of ice for customer self-service but the ice is uncovered and ice scoop is submerged with handle in the water. Protect ice. Pan of ice was removed and restaurant agrees to pre-portion cups of ice to pass out until the ice machine is repaired.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
minorCode 4-903.11(A)Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Utensils; equipment & linens: properly stored; dried & handled

Inspector’s notes

4-903.11(A); (B) and (D); Core; Metal Square Refrigerator lids are not clean and are stored on the floor under the front counter. Elevate storage off the floor and keep lids for the refrigerator in a clean and protected location. Lids were taken to the ware washing sink for cleaning.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
minorCode 4-501.11Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Equipment; food & non-food contact surfaces approved; cleanable; properly designed; constructed & used

Inspector’s notes

4-501.11; Core; Steam Table is missing a leg. Restore equipment to original condition.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 4-601.11(B) and (C)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Shelves are heavily soiled. Remove shelves for regular thorough cleaning in the ware washing sink. Shelf cleaning was started tonight.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode 5-501.115Facility maintenance

Official wording

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspector’s notes

5-501.115; Core; Cardboard boxes are on the ground and bags of trash outside of the dumpster on the ground with Moe's branded cups. Pick up the trash off of the ground and place into dumpster. Manager was directed to have employee clean up dumpster enclosure.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
minorCode 6-501.12Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed; maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

6-501.12; Core; Wall is black above one sink. Cleaning needed. Maintain floor and walls clean and free of build-up

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Oct 4, 2023 · Original Source

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