Gainesville, Hall County

HIBACHI EXPRESS

1872 THOMPSON BRIDGE RD GAINESVILLE, GA 30501

Food
Latest score
80
May 1, 2026
City
Gainesville
County
Hall
Inspections
6

Score history

Inspection scores over time for this facility.

Inspection history

Georgia inspection history is score-based, with violations grouped under each recorded inspection.

May 1, 2026

Routine

Score: 803 violations

4-1A - food separated and protected

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) - packaged & unpackaged food separation, packaging, and segregation (p, c)

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Upon entering the walk-in cooler unit, EHS observed boxes of ready-to-eat food being stored next to boxes of raw chicken. EHS also observed bin of raw chicken being stored in between raw shrimp and raw beef. Packaged and Unpackaged Food - Separation, Packaging, and Segregation.

  1. Food shall be protected from cross contamination by:

(i) Except as specified in paragraph (i)(IV) of this subsection, separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display from:

(I) Raw ready-to-eat food including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish, or other raw ready-to-eat food such as fruits and vegetables, P and

(II) Cooked ready-to-eat food; and P

(III) Fruits and vegetables before they are washed; P

(IV) Frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready-to-eat food.

(ii) Except when combined as ingredients, separating types of raw animal foods from each other such as beef, fish, lamb, pork, and poultry during storage, preparation, holding, and display by:

(I) Using separate equipment for each type, P or

(II) Arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented, P and

(III) Preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas; P

(iii) Cleaning and sanitizing equipment and utensils;

(v) Cleaning hermetically sealed containers of food of visible soil before opening;

(vi) Protecting food containers that are received packaged together in a case or overwrap from cuts when the case or overwrap is opened;

(vii) Storing damaged, spoiled, or recalled food being held in the food service establishment separate from food, equipment, utensils, linens and single-service and single-use articles; or

(viii) Separating fruits and vegetables, before they are washed from ready-to-eat food. COS: PIC voluntarily rearranged the food items to ensure that proper food storage order is maintained and to prevent cross contamination.

6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; cold holding (p)

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed raw steak, raw shrimp, raw scallops, lo mein, cooked sweet and sour chicken and cabbage to all have cold-holding temperatures above 41F. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 41°F (5°C) or below or 135°F (57°C) or above, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in subsection (5)(a)2 of this Rule and reheated using the same temperature and time conditions as cooking may be held at a temperature of 130°F (54°C) or above. COS: PIC voluntarily discarded all food items. See temperature log for details.

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(k) - in-use utensils, between-use storage (c)

1 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: Yes

Observed bowls without handles being used to dispense various foods in the prep top cooler. Food employees shall use suitable utensils with handles to dispense food with bare hands. Corrective Actions: PIC immediately obtained scoops with handles to dispense food from the prep top cooler.

Oct 21, 2025

Routine

Score: 991 violation

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(k) - in-use utensils, between-use storage (c)

1 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed bowls without handles being used to dispense various foods in the prep top cooler. Food employees shall use suitable utensils with handles to dispense food with bare hands. Corrective Actions: PIC immediately obtained scoops with handles to dispense food from the prep top cooler.

Mar 25, 2025

Routine

Score: 961 violation

11A - proper cooling methods used: adequate equipment for temperature control

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(e) - cooling methods (pf, c)

3 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: Yes

Observed several food items (lo mien, cabbage and cooked chicken) to be cooling with no effective cooling method. Also observed several food items in walk-in cooler to be cooling while tightly covered. 1. Cooling shall be accomplished in accordance with the time and temperature criteria specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.04(6)(d) by using one or more of the following methods depending on the type of food being cooled:

(i) Placing the food in shallow pans; Pf

(ii) Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions; Pf

(iii) Using rapid cooling equipment; Pf

(iv) Stirring the food in a container placed in an ice water bath; Pf

(v) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer; Pf

(vi) Adding ice as an ingredient; Pf or

(vii) Other effective methods. Pf

  1. When placed in cooling or cold holding equipment, food containers in which food is being cooled shall be:

(i) Arranged in the equipment to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; and

(ii) Loosely covered, or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination during the cooling period to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the food.

COS: PIC voluntarily placed lo mien and cabbage on ice baths, during the inspection. PIC voluntarily moved cooked chicken into the freezer to speed up the cooling process Food items in the walk-in cooler were also uncovered to ensure proper cooling.

Aug 12, 2024

Routine

Score: 934 violations

11A - proper cooling methods used: adequate equipment for temperature control

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(e) - cooling methods (pf, c)

3 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed several food items (shrimp, lo mien, scallops) to be cooling with no effective cooling method. Also observed several food items in walk-in cooler to be cooling while tightly covered. 1. Cooling shall be accomplished in accordance with the time and temperature criteria specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.04(6)(d) by using one or more of the following methods depending on the type of food being cooled:

(i) Placing the food in shallow pans; Pf

(ii) Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions; Pf

(iii) Using rapid cooling equipment; Pf

(iv) Stirring the food in a container placed in an ice water bath; Pf

(v) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer; Pf

(vi) Adding ice as an ingredient; Pf or

(vii) Other effective methods. Pf

  1. When placed in cooling or cold holding equipment, food containers in which food is being cooled shall be:

(i) Arranged in the equipment to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; and

(ii) Loosely covered, or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination during the cooling period to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the food. COS: PIC voluntarily placed shrimp, lo mien and scallops on ice baths, during the inspection. Food items in the walk-in cooler were also uncovered to ensure proper cooling.

12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(m) - wiping cloths, use limitation (c)

3 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed wiping cloths left out on prep top cooler, in addition to the side of the grill. When not in use, wiping cloths must be stored submerged in a chemical sanitizing solution to prevent microbial growth. COS: PIC moved all wiping cloths into dirty laundry collection and placed clean cloths into a bucket of sanitizer.

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(5)(a),(b) - good repair, physical facilities maintained; cleaning, frequency & restrictions, cleaned often enough to keep them clean (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed hand sink, located in the grill prep area, to be leaking when not in use. All physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. PIC to get sink fixed in 10 days time.

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(5)(a),(b) - good repair, physical facilities maintained; cleaning, frequency & restrictions, cleaned often enough to keep them clean (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed employee restroom sink to not be attached to the wall and the tiles in the walk-in freezer to be broken. All physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. PIC to have sink re-caulked and to put in a work order for the freezer floor in 10 days time.

Feb 7, 2024

Routine

Score: 982 violations

15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(7)(d) - nonfood-contact surfaces (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed mold on the walls of the walk-in cooler and on the shelves. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues. PIC to clean the walls and shelves in 10 days time.

17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(4)(b) - designated areas for employee activity, located to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, & single service articles (c)

1 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed cell phones and a yeti cup on surfaces where food prep would occur. 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. COS: PIC voluntarily removed itmes.

Jul 27, 2023

Routine

Score: 961 violation

4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(n) - manual and mechanical warewashing equipment, chemical sanitization-temperature, ph, concentration, hardness (p,pf)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed sanitizer bucket with 0ppm of Chlorine.
Violation Code Reference 511-6-1.05(6)(n) - Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization-Temperature, pH, Concentration, Hardness (P,Pf) (n) Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization - Temperature, pH, Concentration, and Hardness. A chemical sanitizer used in a sanitizing solution for a manual or mechanical operation at contact times specified under subsection (8)(b)3 of this Rule shall meet the requirements specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.07(6)(g), shall be used in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered label use instructions P, and shall be used as follows:

  1. A chlorine solution shall have a minimum temperature based on the concentration and pH of the solution as listed in the following chart; P

Concentration Range Minimum Temperature

MG/L PH 10 or less oF (oC) PH 8 or less oF (oC)

25-49 120 (49) 120 (49)

50-99 100 (38) 75 (24)

100 55 (13) 55 (13

Note: Manager added bleach to the sanitizer bucket until it registered between 50-100ppm of chlorine during the inspection.