IHOP in Knoxville Receives Failing Health Inspection Score Amidst Sanitation Concerns

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — What’s Cooking at IHOP?

Hey there, Knoxville! As we embrace the cozy vibes of fall, we’ve got some news that might make you rethink your next breakfast outing. The beloved International House of Pancakes (IHOP) on Merchants Center Drive just faced a tough round in a recent health inspection, couldn’t quite stack up the way we all hope our favorite breakfast spots do.

Yikes! A Failing Score

The inspectors handed IHOP a score of 57, marking it as a failing score—the lowest reported this year, if you can believe it! For some context, any score below 69 is considered failing, so that definitely puts an end to the pancake party for the time being. While we wait for another inspection to figure things out, let’s dig into what caught the inspector’s keen eye.

What Were the Problem Areas?

It seems the inspection turned up quite a few critical violations, nearly a dozen to be exact. This isn’t something most of us want to see when we’re grabbing pancakes and syrup! In the refrigerator, they found moldy lettuce, strawberries, and tomatoes just waiting to be served. That’s definitely not the fresh produce we look for when ordering a side salad!

Additionally, food temperatures were a concern. A bag of gravy in the microwave was a shocking 89 degrees when it needed to be at least 135 degrees to kill off any lurking bacteria. Over in the cooler, they found some cheese, macaroni, and mashed potatoes lounging around a bit too long at 50 degrees. The safe temperature to keep food cool and slow down bacteria growth is 41 degrees or below – kind of a big deal if you enjoy your food safe!

Kitchen Cleanliness? Not So Much

Now, it gets even a bit more concerning with sanitation inspections. The inspector noticed employees using wet and dirty linens to wipe down food prep areas. And, here’s the kicker: workers were touching their faces and hair without washing their hands before moving on to meal prep. That’s a recipe for disaster, right? Not quite the hygiene we hope for when biting into those fluffy pancakes.

Some Issues Keep Coming Back

It seems a few of these violations weren’t anything new either, as some were repeat offenses. For instance, raw shelled eggs were found stored right next to avocados in the cooler. That’s definitely not how you want those two ingredients hanging out! Plus, there were also concerns about food stored on the floor of the walk-in freezer, and some food was even left uncovered. Yikes!

The Role of Management

The inspector expressed that the person in charge didn’t show adequate managerial control. Employees seemed unaware of proper cooking temperatures and sanitation practices—a situation no one likes to see when entrusting a restaurant with our meals. It’s a shame because just a few months ago, in May, IHOP scored a 66 on a health inspection but later bounced back to a score of 90 after improvements were made.

What Happens Next?

So, what’s the game plan? A follow-up inspection will be on the horizon soon, giving the IHOP team a chance to turn things around. Meanwhile, if you’re dining out and notice anything off during your meal, don’t hesitate to give the manager a heads up. If things are way out of line, you can always call your local health department. They’ll send an inspector to check things out—not unlike a surprise visit from a friend.

In Closing

Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the IHOP team as they work to clean things up and get back to serving delicious breakfasts we all enjoy. Eating out should feel safe and enjoyable, after all! Until next time, keep your forks ready for that next pancake stack, because it’s all about enjoying good flavors with peace of mind.