Dead cockroaches, rotten chickens: Worst health inspections in Jefferson County in September 2026

As of September, 14 food establishments received failing health inspection grades, according to the Jefferson County Department of Health.

Violations cited by county health inspectors included dead roaches, live gnats, mold, dirt, out-of-temperature food and a lack of food safety training, among others.

A grocery store was found with nine-month-old chicken and moldy cake mix in storage. A restaurant was discovered with black residue in the soda gun nozzle. Several establishments have been criticized for not having the proper food safety training and documentation.

In August, 37 food establishments received unsatisfactory health inspection ratings, the highest number recorded in a month so far this year.

Restaurants scoring below the threshold of 85 must be re-inspected within 60 days.

Establishments scoring 60 or less are required to immediately cease operations and close their doors until an inspection indicates the health risks are resolved.

AL.com compiled a list of Jefferson County’s worst health inspection scores in September. Companies are ranked from highest to lowest score.

Food establishments with a score of 84 or lower in September are:

Dollar General #24902

Address: 3250 Mt. Olive Rd., Mount Olive

Inspection date: September 11

Rating: 84

Milk, meat, half and half, cheese, yogurt and cottage cheese were out of temperature. They measured between 46 and 50 degrees when they should be 41 degrees or lower.

The inspector noted that three of the four freezers located on the same wall were not functional and were emptied prior to the inspection.

There was a significant buildup of residue on the handles of the freezers in the back of the establishment.

The floors were badly scuffed.

9th Avenue Market

Address: 670 9th Ave. SW, Bessemer

Inspection date: September 10

Rating: 84

Grime and debris were found inside the ice machine and on the floor of the establishment.

Milk measured at 52 degrees when it should be 41 degrees or lower.

Jack’s #134

Address: 219 Louisa Street, Warrior

Inspection date: September 8

Rating: 82

Cut tomatoes, lettuce and cheese measured at temperatures between 45 and 47 degrees.

The inspector found that the grease was not disposed of properly.

There were no paper towels near the sink near the register.

El Pacifico Seafood and Grill

Address: 150 Green Springs Road, Homewood

Inspection date: September 1

Rating: 82

Several chemical bottles throughout the facility were unlabeled.

Food items throughout the facility that were not in their original packaging were not labeled.

The restaurant’s menu does not disclose that raw or undercooked animal foods may increase the risk of foodborne illness.

A lot of old equipment that is no longer in use is stored outside.

Only one of the five certified food safety managers was properly registered with the Jefferson County Department of Health.

Triple S Grocery Store

Address: 1001 Lomb Ave. SW, Birmingham

Inspection date: September 17

Rating: 81

The interior of the microwave was found soiled with food residue.

Chemicals were stored next to and above food products.

A variety of different drinks and crates of drinks were stored in a sink for washing hands.

Ceiling tiles throughout the property were water damaged or missing. The floors of the cooler and the entire back room were littered with debris and residue.

The facility did not have chemical test strips to measure the appropriate concentration of disinfectant solutions.

American caterer

Address: 306 Oxmoor Road, Homewood

Inspection date: September 15

Score: 80 (92 during reinspection on September 22)

The inspector found that the utensils were washed and rinsed but not disinfected.

The cooked rice measured 72 degrees when it should be 41 degrees or lower.

Various cleaning products were not properly labeled.

Most of the fryer baskets were in very poor condition with frayed, broken and missing wires.

American Deli was re-inspected on September 22 and received a score of 92.

Best convenience store

Address: 1744 Pearson Ave. SW, Birmingham

Inspection date: September 29

Rating: 80

The ceiling of the ice bin next to the chute was stained with black and pink residue.

The establishment did not have a food thermometer at the time of the inspection.

They also did not have chemical test strips to measure the appropriate concentration of disinfectant solutions.

The property did not have hot water because the water heater was not working.

Hand sanitizers, hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol and body soap were stored on top of the dry food.

El Gran Café Castillo

Address: 4435 Galleria Boulevard, Hoover

Inspection date: September 28

Rating: 80

The can opener was stained with grime and thick, dark debris.

The ice machine had orange residue inside the chute.

An employee working in the kitchen did not have food safety training and no food safety manager was on duty during the operation.

The shredded chicken in the cooler had no preparation or disposal date. A pan of raw chicken was found on the floor in the cooler.

There was large food debris inside the hand washing sink in front of the grill. A bucket of sanitizer was in the sink for hand washing near the beverage dispenser. And there were no paper towels by the sink by the grill.

Birmingham Wings and Waffles

Address: 3425 6th Ave. S, Birmingham

Inspection date: September 25

Rating: 80

There were two cases of raw chicken measuring between 44 and 46 degrees, when it should be 41 degrees or lower.

Shrimp cooked in Ziplock bags and baked potatoes were not labeled or dated.

There was no hand soap or paper towels in the sinks.

Grill cleaner was stored next to opened bags of dough.

Walmart #764 Deli

Address: 750 Academy Dr., Bessemer

Inspection date: September 17

Rating: 80

The inspector observed dirt and debris on the floors of the facility.

Hot dogs, corn dogs, popcorn chicken, boneless chicken, bone-in chicken, cheese bites and jalapeno poppers all measured between 110 and 128 degrees, when they should all be 135 degrees or higher.

The temperature of the turkey, cheese and ham was between 45 and 47 degrees, when it should be 41 degrees or lower.

One staff member did not have a food handler certification.

The water temperature in the sinks for washing hands and dishes was between 81 and 86 degrees when it should reach at least 100 degrees.

Jimmy John’s #1657

Address: 4730 Chase Cir., Hoover

Inspection date: September 16

Rating: 80

Slicer blades have been observed soiled with food debris on clean dish racks.

There were no paper towels near the sink for hand washing in the kitchen area.

Employees were not provided with a health policy prior to the inspection. And the employees did not have food safety training certificates.

El Sol Cantina & Taqueria

Address: 428 Valley Ave., Birmingham

Inspection date: September 3

Rating: 79

There was black residue visible in the nozzle of the bar’s soda gun.

All prepared foods stored in the refrigerator and freezer were missing dates.

The food preparation kitchen has no installed ceiling and is open to the roof trusses and roofing materials, meaning all utility lines are exposed.

There were no individuals on duty with certification or verification of participation in an accredited food protection program. This is an ongoing violation that was first noted on February 12.

McDonald’s #25372

Address: 818 Green Springs Road, Homewood

Inspection date: September 3

Rating: 78

The inspector observed midges throughout the establishment.

The exterior of the equipment, floors and walls throughout the facility were heavily soiled with debris and residue. The coolers, freezer and microwaves were also covered in residue.

Lettuce, tomatoes and cheese measured temperatures between 51 and 60 degrees, when they should all be 41 degrees or lower.

Food handlers did not have food safety training.

The hand washing sink next to the flat top grill had no hot water.

Yasmin’s Food Mart

Address: 311 Valley Road, Fairfield

Inspection date: September 2

Rating: 73

There were dead cockroaches on a glue trap under the kitchen sink.

The inspector found a bag of raw chicken and a box of wings and drumsticks dated December 4, 2025. The chicken had black and gray discoloration, indicating possible spoilage.

The inspector also found a soiled red velvet cake box with visible mold-like growth on the outside of the box.

Fried chicken kept warm in a display under a heat lamp measured temperatures ranging from 99 to 112 degrees, when it should be 135 degrees or higher.

The kitchen staff did not have a food thermometer to know cooking temperatures.

There was a build-up of encrusted grease inside the fryers, on the fry baskets and inside the ovens.