Health Inspections: Four York County Restaurants Receive B Ratings; One Downgraded to C in March

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Agriculture conducted 173 food safety inspections in York County during March 2025. Of those, four establishments received a “B” rating, and one — Towne Tavern in Rock Hill — was downgraded to a “C” following a failed follow-up inspection.

The vast majority of restaurants and food service locations earned an “A” grade, indicating compliance with the state’s health and safety standards. However, a handful fell short during initial or follow-up inspections.

Towne Tavern Drops to a C

Towne Tavern, located at 2012 Cherry Road in Rock Hill, received a “B” rating on March 18 and was subsequently downgraded to a “C” during a follow-up inspection on March 25. Health inspectors cited cold food items held above the safe temperature range, including roast beef measured at 52°F and chopped chicken at 55°F — both well above the required 41°F limit. Additionally, inspectors noted unclean warewashing equipment and significant cleanliness issues throughout the kitchen, including dirty floors and buildup on walls and ceilings​.

The restaurant had also been cited for similar violations earlier in the month, including improper food storage temperatures, failure to date mark food properly, and the absence of a Certified Food Protection Manager​.

Other Establishments Receiving B Ratings

Three other restaurants in York County received “B” grades in March:

• Courtyard by Marriott, Rock Hill – Received a “B” on March 11 during a follow-up inspection. Violations included a dishwashing machine with zero detectable sanitizer levels and improperly dated refrigerated food​.

• Famous Toastery, Tega Cay – Scored an 86 on March 6 for a range of violations, including multiple priority violations by management, inadequate handwashing facilities, and unsafe food temperatures for hot and cold items​.

• Meto Pub, Tega Cay – Downgraded to a “B” during a follow-up on March 21 due to unresolved issues, including improper sewage drainage at the dish machine and the serving of kimchi without the required special processing variance​.

The Bigger Picture

Despite these lower ratings, 168 inspections resulted in “A” grades. Food service establishments across the county — including schools, fast-food chains, local delis, and fine dining spots — largely demonstrated strong adherence to health codes.

Health inspection reports are available through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and are open to public review under the Freedom of Information Act.

Restaurants that receive a B or C are subject to follow-up inspections and possible enforcement actions if issues remain uncorrected.

For more information or to view the full list of inspection reports, visit agriculture.sc.gov.

The full list of inspections are below: