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Restaurant · Wake County, NC

The Cardinal Tower - Main Kitchen

320 St Albans Dr

Last inspected Feb 13, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 97.5

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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

Feb 13, 2026

Score 97.5

Official score: 97.5 · Understand this area’s scale

6 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 (P); While improvements have been made since last inspection; cheese and cut tomatoes were being stored too highly above their fill lines and were above 41F at the top of the container. Potentially hazardous food being held cold shall remain at 41F or below. CDI- Food was voluntarily discarded as needed.

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 3-305.11 Food Storage - Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)Contamination

Official wording

Contamination prevented during food preparation; storage & display

Inspector’s notes

3-305.11 Food Storage - Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C); Container of food was being stored on the floor of the walk in freezer. In order to prevent potential contamination; all food products shall be stored at least 6 inches above the floor.

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 3-304.14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Inspector’s notes

3-304.14; Core; Wet wiping cloth was being held mostly outside of sanitizer (hanging off of bucket and not fully submerged). Between uses; wet or moist wiping cloths shall be fully submerged in an approved sanitizer at an appropriate concentration (200-400ppm for quat).

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 4-501.11Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-501.11; Core; Dishwashing machine has water that is leaking onto the floor during use. Employees have placed a bucket on the floor to catch the water as it leaks. Equipment shall be maintained in a state of 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 4-601.11(B) and (C)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; While issues from last inspection have been addressed; buildup was found on the exteriors of the cooking equipment on the cook line. NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust; dirt; FOOD residue; and other debris.

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 6-501.12 CleaningCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed; maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

6-501.12 Cleaning; Frequency and Restrictions (C); Ceiling above dishwashing area and near walk-in cooler entrance have dust buildup and should be cleaned. Physical faculties shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to keep them clean. Clean ceiling more frequently.

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, Feb 13, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jul 31, 2025

Score 97.5

Official score: 97.5 · Understand this area’s scale

5 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 (P); All potentially hazardous food in the walk-in cooler were found being held at 43-44F in the walk-in cooler. Potentially hazardous food being held cold shall remain at 41F or below. CDI- The walk-in cooler was manually adjusted to 38F during the inspection.

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 6-501.111 Controlling Pests (Pf)Pests

Official wording

Insects & rodents not present; no unauthorized animals

Inspector’s notes

6-501.111 Controlling Pests (Pf); A few live flies were found in the kitchen area during the inspection. The premises shall be maintained free of insects 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 3-302.15 Washing Fruits and Vegetables (C)Other

Official wording

Washing fruits & vegetables

Inspector’s notes

3-302.15 Washing Fruits and Vegetables (C); Several avocados; ready to be used; were found with stickers remaining on their skin. Fruits and vegetables shall be washed (with residue removed) before being cut or served.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
notedCode 3-304.12 In-Use UtensilsEquipment and utensils

Official wording

In-use utensils: properly stored

Inspector’s notes

3-304.12 In-Use Utensils; Between-Use Storage (C); Utensils were found being stored in container of standing water at 88F. If utensils are stored inside of water; the water shall be running or at/above 135F. Container was refilled with hot water during the inspection.

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

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11 (B) and (C) Equipment; Food-Contact Surfaces; Nonfood Contact Surfaces; and Utensils (C); Walk-in cooler fans and some cooking equipment exteriors have residue buildup and need to be cleaned. Non food contact surfaces shall be kept free of soil residue and other debris.

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, Jul 31, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Aug 6, 2024

Score 98

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

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; A few containers of food in a flip-top cooler and items in the chef base cooler measured up to 49F. PIC said a rack of food headed to the line coolers was left out while the truck stocked the walk-in. Foods were removed from the line coolers and placed in the walk-in before lunch. Items cooled to at least 45F before lunch...Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods held cold shall be held at 41F or below.

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 4-903.11(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 pans and deli containers stored on the drying rack were stacked together while still wet in-between. An extra ice bucket was stored hanging off of a handwashing sink splash guard with the open side facing up underneath a paper towel dispenser and bug light...Cleaned equipment and utensils shall be stored in a clean; dry location where they are not exposed to splash; dust; or other contamination and are allowed to air dry...CDI: Bucket sent to dish. Pans and containers separated.

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
majorCode 4-501.110Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewashing facilities: installed; maintained & used; test strips

Inspector’s notes

4-501.110; Priority Foundation; The wash temperature at the dish machine only measured up to 142F when ran during the visit (but the final utensil surface temp was able to reach 165F). CDI: PICs informed of the low wash temp and advised to service the unit...The temperature of the wash solution used to hot water sanitize shall be 150-160F in a conveyor type machine.

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; The gaskets of the coolers on the line have light residue and debris collecting in/on them. The reach-in cooler at the end of the line has water and debris collecting in the bottom...Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust; dirt; food residue; and other debris. Clean any areas building up soil; debris; and/or grease.

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, Aug 6, 2024 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Feb 28, 2024

Score 98

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

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; On the prep line; tuna salad was holding at 44F in a prep top cooler. Cole slaw and butter were holding at 45F in a reach-in cooler. Potentially hazardous foods being held cold shall remain at 41F or below. CDI- Food was taken to new refrigeration to be cooled down.

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 3-304.14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Inspector’s notes

3-304.14; Core; Wet wiping cloths were found being stored in a container of quat sanitizer at a concentration around/less than 100ppm. Between uses; wet or moist wiping cloths shall be held in an approved sanitizer at an appropriate concentration (200-400ppm for quat). CDI- Sanitizer buckets were changed. Full deductions will be taken if this item is repeated again.

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; Some food containers stored as clean had sticker residue on their non food contact surfaces. NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust; dirt; FOOD residue; and other debris.

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 6-501.11Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed; maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

6-501.11; Core; Ceiling tile one of the dry storage rooms is missing/damaged. Physical facilities shall be maintained in a state of 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

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Feb 28, 2024 · Original Source

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