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Restaurant · Wake County, NC

Poole's Diner

428 S Mcdowell Street

Last inspected Jun 15, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 97

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

1 - Inspection

Jun 15, 2026

Score 97

Official score: 97 · Understand this area’s scale

7 recorded violations

notedCode 2-301.12(A)Handwashing

Official wording

Hands clean & properly washed

Inspector’s notes

2-301.12(A); Priority; Handwashing; Kitchen handwashing sink with single foot pedal to activate measured at 122F+; exceeding 120F; becoming a scald hazard; interfering with ability to properly wash hands. FOOD EMPLOYEES shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms; including surrogate prosthetic devices for hands or arms for at least 20 seconds; using a cleaning compound in a HANDWASHING SINK that is equipped as specified under § 5-202.12 and Subpart 6-301. Repair the sink. CDI- PIC has placed work order with the plumber to have this adjusted so hand sink dispenses at 100-110F.

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 6-301.14Handwashing

Official wording

Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible

Inspector’s notes

6-301.14; Core; One handwashing station in side kitchen lacking a handwashing sign. A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands shall be provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees and shall be clearly visible to food employees. CDI- Handwashing provided for posting.

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 3-302.12Food source and labeling

Official wording

Food properly labeled: original container

Inspector’s notes

3-302.12; Core; Labeling missing on a few squeeze bottles of food ingredients. Working containers holding FOOD or FOOD ingredients that are removed from their original packages for use in the FOOD ESTABLISHMENT; such as cooking oils; flour; herbs; potato flakes; salt; spices; and sugar shall be identified with the common name of the FOOD. Add labeling to these items.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 3-304.12Equipment and utensils

Official wording

In-use utensils: properly stored

Inspector’s notes

3-304.12; Core; Two containers of utensils stored in water next to prep units; not hot-holding; with water measured at 86F. During pauses in FOOD preparation or dispensing; FOOD preparation and dispensing UTENSILS shall be stored: in the FOOD with their handles above the top of the FOOD; or In a clean/dry; protected location; or In a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least 135F and the container is cleaned at a frequency specified in Food Code (every 4 hours). Return the utensils and container to dish room 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 4-903.11(A)Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-903.11(A); (B) and (D); Core; Some metal pans stored as clean observed stacked wet. Clean EQUIPMENT and UTENSILS shall be stored In a self-draining position that allows air drying; and Covered or inverted. Allow pans to thoroughly air dry before stacking.

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 4-202.11Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-202.11; Priority Foundation; A few spatulas stored as clean with food contact surface pitted and cracked. Multiuse FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES shall be: SMOOTH; Free of breaks; open seams; cracks; chips; inclusions; pits; and similar imperfections. CDI- Damaged spatulas voluntarily discarded during inspection by PIC.

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 6-403.11Facility maintenance

Official wording

Meets ventilation & lighting requirements; designated areas used

Inspector’s notes

6-403.11; Core; Employee foods stored in low prep unit in main food prep area; with no designation as staff food only. Areas designated for EMPLOYEES to eat; drink; and use tobacco shall be located so that FOOD; EQUIPMENT; LINENS; and SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES are protected from contamination. Keep employee foods in separate and designated space. Recommend labeling bin as -Staff Use Only- for these spaces to use for employee storage of foods/beverages.

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, Jun 15, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jan 22, 2026

Score 97

Official score: 97 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

notedCode 4-703.11 After cleaningCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-703.11 After cleaning; equipment; food contact surfaces; and utensils shall be sanitized using an approved method. (P): Chlorine residual in chemical dish machine is reading below 50ppm after multiple attempts. CDI: Dish machine is being used for the wash and rinse cycle and staff will manually sanitize in the three compartment sink. Chemical contract company has been contacted and will arrive to repair machine either tonight or tomorrow morning. .

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 3-501.18 Discard the food requiring date labels once time/temperature window has expiredFood source and labeling

Official wording

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector’s notes

3-501.18 Discard the food requiring date labels once time/temperature window has expired; if it is not been labeled; or if the label is incorrect. (P) Several container of house made deviled egg aioli dated 1/14 and 1/16 as well as TCS beans dated 1/14. CDI: All out of date food as been discarded and replaced with in-date food.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Jan 22, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Aug 14, 2025

Score 100

Official score: 100 · Understand this area’s scale

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Aug 14, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Mar 17, 2025

Score 99

Official score: 99 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

notedCode 6-301.14Handwashing

Official wording

Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible

Inspector’s notes

6-301.14; Core; One handwashing station lacking a handwashing sign. A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands shall be provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees and shall be clearly visible to food employees. CDI- Handwashing sign added during inspection.

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 3-603.11Food temperature

Official wording

Consumer advisory provided for raw/ undercooked foods

Inspector’s notes

3-603.11; Priority Foundation; Menu Consumer Advisory is missing the Disclosure part of the statement. If an animal FOOD such as beef; EGGS; FISH; lamb; milk; pork; POULTRY; or shellfish is served or sold raw; undercooked; or without otherwise being processed to eliminate pathogens; either in READY-TO-EAT form or as an ingredient in another READY-TO-EAT FOOD; the PERMIT HOLDER shall inform CONSUMERS of the significantly increased RISK of consuming such FOODS by way of a DISCLOSURE and REMINDER. A DISCLOSURE shall include identification of the animal-derived FOODS by asterisking them to a footnote that states that the items are served raw or undercooked; or contain (or may contain) raw or undercooked ingredients. A REMINDER shall include asterisking the animal-derived FOODS requiring DISCLOSURE to a footnote that states: Consuming raw or undercooked MEATS; POULTRY; seafood; shellfish; or EGGS may increase your RISK of foodborne illness. VR-VERIFICATION REQUIRED. Update the menu Consumer Advisory to include the Disclosure part of the Statement. Text picture of menu correction to your REHS Joanne Rutkofske at 919-623-0459 within 10 days for verification. Example- *Consumer Advisory- This item is served raw or undercooked; or contains (or may contain) raw or undercooked ingredients. Consuming raw or undercooked meats; poultry; seafood; shellfish; or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

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 3-501.15Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector’s notes

3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Breaded fish filets; recently prepared; uncovered in top section of prep unit; measured at 50F. Cooling shall be accomplished in accordance with the time and temperature criteria specified in Food Code by using one or more of the following methods based on the type of FOOD being cooled: Placing the FOOD in shallow pans; Separating the FOOD into smaller or thinner portions; Using rapid cooling EQUIPMENT; Stirring the FOOD in a container placed in an ice water bath; Using containers that facilitate heat transfer (metal); Adding ice as an ingredient; or Other effective methods. When placed in cooling or cold holding EQUIPMENT; FOOD containers in which FOOD is being cooled shall be: Arranged in the EQUIPMENT to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; and Loosely covered; or uncovered IF protected from overhead contamination (ex.- on speed rack with top cover pan). CDI- Product moved to walk-in cooler for active cooling.

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 3-302.12Food source and labeling

Official wording

Food properly labeled: original container

Inspector’s notes

3-302.12; Core; Labeling missing on a few squeeze bottles of food ingredients. Working containers holding FOOD or FOOD ingredients that are removed from their original packages for use in the FOOD ESTABLISHMENT; such as cooking oils; flour; herbs; potato flakes; salt; spices; and sugar shall be identified with the common name of the FOOD. Add labeling to these items.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 6-403.11Facility maintenance

Official wording

Meets ventilation & lighting requirements; designated areas used

Inspector’s notes

6-403.11; Core; Employee foods stored in low prep unit in main food prep area; with no designation as staff food only. In walk-in freezer; observed ROP product and meat labeled wabbit. When asked; PIC stated they do not do ROP; that these items were left by previous owner; original source unknown; that not on current menu; may be used for staff meal. Areas designated for EMPLOYEES to eat; drink; and use tobacco shall be located so that FOOD; EQUIPMENT; LINENS; and SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES are protected from contamination. Keep employee foods in separate and designated spaces. Label to designate the low cold-hold unit for -Staff Use Only- to use for employee storage of foods/beverages. Sort through freezer; removing any old products left by previous owner; of unknown original origin.

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, Mar 17, 2025 · Original Source

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