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Restaurant · Wake County, NC

Avenue Grill

600 Hillsborough St

Last inspected Sep 26, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 94

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

1 - Inspection

Sep 26, 2026

Score 94

Official score: 94 · Understand this area’s scale

8 recorded violations

notedCode —Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Certified Food Protection Manager

Inspector’s notes

2-102.12 (A) The PIC does not have a valid food protection manager certification. The PIC must be a certified food protection manager. A list of ANSI approved CFPM classes is available at wake.gov/food.

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 2-301.14 When to wash - PriorityHandwashing

Official wording

Hands clean & properly washed

Inspector’s notes

2-301.14 When to wash - Priority; Food employee observed picking an item off of the floor with gloved hands but did not wash hands before moving onto a new task. The same food employee was observed washing their hands and then proceeded to smooth out their hair with their hands. Food employees shall wash hands immediately before engaging in food prep or working with clean utensils and: (A) After touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean; exposed portions of arms; (B) After using the toilet room; (C) After caring for or handling SERVICE ANIMALS or aquatic animals; (D) Except after drinking from a closed beverage container in a manner that prevents contamination; after coughing; sneezing; using a handkerchief or disposable tissue; using tobacco; eating; or drinking; (E) After handling soiled EQUIPMENT or UTENSILS; (F) During FOOD preparation; as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing tasks; (G) When switching between working with raw FOOD and working with READY-TO-EAT FOOD; (H) Before donning gloves for working with FOOD; and (I) After engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands. CDI- education given and employee washed their hands.

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 4-602.11(E) Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils - Frequency - CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-602.11(E) Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils - Frequency - C; The interior shield of the ice machine is soiled and in need of cleaning. Except when dry cleaning methods are used; surfaces of UTENSILS and EQUIPMENT contacting nonTCS FOOD shall be cleaned: (1) At any time when contamination may have occurred; (2) At least every 24 hours for iced tea dispensers and CONSUMER self-service UTENSILS such as tongs; scoops; or ladles; (3) Before restocking CONSUMER self-service EQUIPMENT and UTENSILS such as condiment dispensers and display containers; and (4) In EQUIPMENT such as ice bins and BEVERAGE dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of EQUIPMENT such as ice makers; cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines; BEVERAGE and syrup dispensing lines or tubes; coffee bean grinders; and water vending EQUIPMENT: (a) At a frequency specified by the manufacturer; or (b) Absent manufacturer specifications; at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. .

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 6-501.111 Controlling PestsPests

Official wording

Insects & rodents not present; no unauthorized animals

Inspector’s notes

6-501.111 Controlling Pests; Several flies observed throughout the kitchen. The PREMISES shall be maintained free of insects; rodents; and other pests.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
notedCode 3-305.12Contamination

Official wording

Contamination prevented during food preparation; storage & display

Inspector’s notes

3-305.12; Food items observed being stored under an overflowing container catching condensation from a leak in the back of house 2-door reach-in cooler. Food may not be stored in locker rooms; toilet rooms; dressing rooms; garbage rooms; mechanical rooms; under sewer lines that are not shielded to intercept potential drips; under leaking water lines; under open stairwells; or under other sources of contamination. CDI- food items were moved.

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 4-501.11Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-501.11; Core; [Repeat] A condensation leak is present in the 2-door reach-in cooler in the back storage area. EQUIPMENT shall be maintained in a state of good repair and condition. Repair this cooler.

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 4-302.14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewashing facilities: installed; maintained & used; test strips

Inspector’s notes

4-302.14; Priority Foundation; Test strips are not available for the chlorine sanitizer being used. Provide a test kit that accurately measures sanitizer concentrations. Verification Required- EC will return by October 6; 2026 to verify that test strips are available or PIC can text a picture of the test strips to the inspector; Kendra Wiggins at 984-233-0487.

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 4-601.11(B) and (C)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; [Repeat] Interiors of the cold holding units are in need of cleaning. NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust; dirt; FOOD residue; and other debris. Increase cleaning frequency throughout.

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, Sep 26, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jun 30, 2025

Score 95

Official score: 95 · Understand this area’s scale

8 recorded violations

notedCode 2-501.11Other

Official wording

Procedures for responding to vomiting & diarrheal events

Inspector’s notes

2-501.11; Priority Foundation; [Repeat] PIC does not currently have written procedures available to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food establishment. CDI- Written procedures and educational material provided to PIC.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 4-601.11 (A)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11 (A); Priority Foundation; Several metal pans; lids and utensils being stored as clean were observed with residue and debris present. EQUIPMENT FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES and UTENSILS shall be clean to sight and touch. CDI- Soiled items returned for additional 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
notedCode 3-305.12Contamination

Official wording

Contamination prevented during food preparation; storage & display

Inspector’s notes

3-305.12; Food items observed under and uncovered ceiling tile that holds HVAC insulation that was leaking. Food may not be stored in locker rooms; toilet rooms; dressing rooms; garbage rooms; mechanical rooms; under sewer lines that are not shielded to intercept potential drips; under leaking water lines; under open stairwells; or under other sources of contamination. CDI- food that was contaminated was voluntarily discarded by PIC.

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 4-903.12Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-903.12; Clean equipment was observed being stored under and uncovered ceiling tile that holds HVAC insulation that was leaking. Do not store cleaned equipment; utensils; linen in toilet rooms; garbage rooms; mechanical rooms; under sewer lines; under open stairwells; or under other sources of contamination. CDI- equipment was sent back to be cleaned.

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 4-501.11Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-501.11; Core; A lot of ice buildup is present along the floor in the walk-in freezer and around the doorway. Central A/C not working; extremely hot in kitchen. EQUIPMENT shall be maintained in a state of good repair and condition. Repair/replace the central A/C. Remove ice buildup.

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 4-302.14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewashing facilities: installed; maintained & used; test strips

Inspector’s notes

4-302.14; Priority Foundation; Test strips are not available for the chlorine sanitizer being used. Provide a test kit that accurately measures sanitizer concentrations. Verification Required- EC will return by July 10; 2025 to verify that test strips are available.

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 4-601.11(B) and (C)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; [Repeat] Cold-hold units and wire storage racks with sticky residue accumulation. NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust; dirt; FOOD residue; and other debris. Increase cleaning frequency throughout.

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 6-501.114Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed; maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

6-501.114; Core; [Repeat] Several pieces of equipment no longer needed no longer used; including soiled wall-mount potato dicer; and reach-in cooler and freezer. Maintain premises free of items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment such as EQUIPMENT that is nonfunctional or no longer used; and Litter. Remove these no longer needed items.; 6-501.12; Core; Residue accumulation along walls and under/around equipment. PHYSICAL FACILITIES shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. Increase cleaning frequency and clean thoroughly.

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, Jun 30, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jan 25, 2024

Score 94

Official score: 94 · Understand this area’s scale

11 recorded violations

majorCode 2-103.11 (O)Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

2-103.11 (O); Priority Foundation; PIC unable to locate Employee Health Policy. The PERMIT HOLDER shall require FOOD EMPLOYEES and CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES to report to the PERSON IN CHARGE information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through FOOD. CDI- Employee Health Policy provided to PIC.

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
majorCode 2-501.11Other

Official wording

Procedures for responding to vomiting & diarrheal events

Inspector’s notes

2-501.11; Priority Foundation; PIC does not currently have written procedures available to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food establishment. CDI- Written procedures and educational material provided to PIC.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 6-301.14Handwashing

Official wording

Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible

Inspector’s notes

6-301.14; Core; Both restrooms lacking handwashing signs. 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 signs 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
majorCode 4-601.11 (A)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11 (A); Priority Foundation; Some mixing bowls and sheet pans stored as clean not stored inverted food-side down and with residue and debris remaining. EQUIPMENT FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES and UTENSILS shall be clean to sight and touch. CDI- Soiled items returned for additional 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 3-501.17Food source and labeling

Official wording

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector’s notes

3-501.17; Priority Foundation; Date-Marking missing on cooked chicken and open hot dogs. Refrigerated; READY-TO-EAT; POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD) prepared and held in a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT for more than 24 hours shall be date-marked. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1 (ex.-date the milk opened; date the meat/vegetable cooked). When freezing cooked TCS foods; include the Date Cooked/Date Frozen/Date Thawed. Add date mark to prepared TCS foods that will be held over to the next day. CDI- Prep dates of these products unknown. Product voluntarily discarded during inspection by PIC.

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
minorCode 3-302.12Food source and labeling

Official wording

Food properly labeled: original container

Inspector’s notes

3-302.12; Core; Labeling missing on spices and 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
minorCode 2-402.11Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

Personal cleanliness

Inspector’s notes

2-402.11; Core; Food handlers with large fluffy beards lacking beard guards. FOOD EMPLOYEES shall wear hair restraints such as hats; hair coverings or nets; beard restraints; and clothing that covers body hair; that are designed and worn to effectively keep their hair from contacting exposed FOOD; clean EQUIPMENT; UTENSILS; and LINENS; and unwrapped SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES. Supply beard guards or have food handlers keep facial hair trimmed very short.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
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; Several 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. Rewash and air-dry the pans.

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; Walk-in freezer bottom gasket torn and hanging out with condensation visible along bottom section of door. EQUIPMENT shall be maintained in a state of good repair and condition. Replace the torn gasket.

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; Fryer with heavy residue accumulation. Cold-hold units and wire storage racks with sticky residue accumulation. NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust; dirt; FOOD residue; and other debris. Increase cleaning frequency throughout.

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 6-501.114Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed; maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

6-501.114; Core; Several pieces of equipment no longer needed no longer used; including soiled wall-mount potato dicer; large ice cream machine; and reach-in cooler and freezer. Maintain premises free of items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment such as EQUIPMENT that is nonfunctional or no longer used; and Litter. Remove these no longer needed items.; 6-501.12; Core; Residue accumulation along walls and under/around equipment. PHYSICAL FACILITIES shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. Increase cleaning frequency and clean thoroughly.; 6-501.16; Core; Mop sitting in old mop water. After use; mops shall be placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls; EQUIPMENT; or supplies. Hang mops to dry after use; floppy mop head side down; so draining into service sink drain.; 6-501.11; Core; Ceiling tile not in place above clean dish storage at 3-comp sink. PHYSICAL FACILITIES shall be maintained in good repair. Put the tile back in place and rewash the exposed dishes.

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, Jan 25, 2024 · Original Source

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