Pooler restaurant’s inspection grade rebounds to 100 after initial 58

POOLER, Ga. (WTOC) - A routine health inspection at Metro Diner in Pooler last Tuesday, resulted in a failing score of 58, with inspectors citing numerous critical violations ranging from unsafe food temperatures to unsanitary equipment.

The inspection, conducted by the Georgia Department of Public Health, revealed what officials described as “a pattern of non-compliance” and a lack of active managerial control to ensure food safety rules were followed.

What inspectors found:

• Improper Food Temperatures – Multiple hot and cold items were stored at unsafe temperatures, including veggies, meats, and dairy products. Foods were either reheated incorrectly or kept in coolers not maintaining the required temperature.
• Unsanitary Equipment – Inspectors found mildew-like growth inside soda nozzles, slime inside the ice maker, and food debris on dishes labeled as clean. Mold-like substances were also seen on cooler gaskets and racks.
• Unsafe Food Handling – Employees were observed drinking from open containers on prep stations and storing personal food in dry storage areas. Thawed reduced-oxygen packaged fish was found still in its packaging against safety guidelines.
• Facility Maintenance Issues – Plumbing problems included leaks at the three-compartment sink, clogged drains, and a leaking handwashing sink. The back door had a gap allowing light, and potentially pests to enter.
• Lack of Monitoring Tools – Some refrigeration and hot-holding equipment had no thermometers, and the dishwashing machine lacked a way to verify high-temperature sanitization.

While some violations were corrected on-site, others remained unresolved at the time of the inspection.

Under Georgia health regulations, a score below 70 is considered failing and requires follow-up action.

Metro Diner sent us the following statement:

Our location has a long history of strong health inspection results, including two most recent inspections that both earned an “A” (91 and 98, respectively). We take health and food safety very seriously. Following our recent health inspection, which identified several areas needing immediate attention, we promptly addressed the issues. We have provided additional staff training, strengthened our safety protocols, and implemented a comprehensive action plan with stricter daily checks. Our goal is to exceed safety standards, and we expect a reinspection soon—after which we will share our updated score publicly.

Stanley Goodman, President and Chief Operating Officer of Metro Diner

After just 10 days, Metro Diner was inspected again and scored a perfect score of 100.

Metro Diner sent us the following statement:

We are pleased to share that during today’s heath inspection, our location earned a perfect score of 100. This updated score better represents our team’s commitment to health and food safety, which is the priority forMetroDiner. Our last inspection reflected a lapse in what has historically been strong inspection scores and our team treated it as an opportunity to enhance staff training, reinforce safety protocols, and continue our company-wide standard of daily checks to ensure the highest food and safety standards are met. We are proud of our team’s quick action and we remain committed to providing a safe, welcoming dining experience for our guests.

Stanley Goodman, President and Chief Operating Officer, Metro Diner