AMERICUS, Ga. (WALB) - Pat’s Place, a longtime pizza and sandwich shop in Americus, earned a perfect score on its latest food service inspection.

Owner Pat Spann said Pat’s Place opened in February 1980 and employs 11 people. The restaurant serves pizza, deli sandwiches and other menu items, along with beer and wine.

Spann credited the score to staff training and consistent food-safety routines.

“I think it’s an effort on part of all of the employees,” he said, adding that “10 of the 11 have done the ServSafe management certification.”

Spann said staff members focus on basics such as time and temperature requirements, cleanliness and sanitation. Spann also noted details that inspectors watch closely, including product labeling.

“Whatever we have, it’s got to be labeled with a name and the date—the date that it was opened and the date that we need to dispose of it or use it by."

Owner Pat Spann

Spann said Pat’s Place also cleans equipment such as ice makers and drink dispensers, and they sanitize food prep areas and tables.

Beyond the inspection score, Spann said the restaurant aims to make newcomers feel welcome, including explaining its counter-ordering system.

“We want them to feel welcome,” he said. “When we see somebody that looks like they’re new, we try to go out and greet them.”

Pat’s Place also hosts weekly events, including Tuesday night bluegrass and Wednesday trivia, Spann said.

Spann attributes the success of Pat’s Place to his hardworking employees.

Below is a list of restaurants that were inspected from April 27 through May 4 in South Georgia:

Restaurants from this week’s food service inspection are listed below, infractions included:

1. Pat’s Place
2. Guang Zhou
   1. Infractions
      1. Violation of Code:[511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv)]Observed chicken in the prep top cooler and beef in the WIC not covered.
      2. Violation of Code:[511-6-1.07(4)(b)]Observed an employee’s drink stored on the prep table.
3. La Vina
   1. Infractions
      1. Violation of Code:[511-6-1.03(2)(o)]Observed facility without employee health policies.
      2. Violation of Code:[511-6-1.04(6)(h)]Observed food items in RIC held past 7 days (datemarked 03/29/26).
      3. Violation of Code:[511-6-1.07(2)(m)]Observed front door propped open.
4. Talk Of The Town Nutrition
5. Taquería Bertha
6. Golden Corral of Tifton
   1. Infractions
      1. Violation of Code:[511-6-1.07(5)(k)]Observed live roaches on the buffet and at the hand-wash sink next to the ice machine in the dish area.
      2. Violation of Code:[511-6-1.07(5)(a),(b)]Observed walls and floors throughout the entire kitchen area in disrepair with standing water and food/trash accumulations. Resolve damage during renovation, but clean up spills and food/trash.  New Violation.
      3. Violation of Code:[511-6-1.04(6)(f)]Observed meatloaf in warmer cabinet in main kitchen not hot held at temperatures 135 Fahrenheit or above.
      4. Violation of Code:[511-6-1.04(5)(h)]Observed spaghetti bake not reheated to 165 deg. F or above for hot holding in oven.
      5. Violation of Code:[511-6-1.07(3)(b)]Observed hand wash sink in cash register area with no paper towels.
7. Racks Bar & Grill

Below, you can find the food service inspection document for each restaurant covered in this week’s report:

Pat’s Place

Guang Zhou

La Vina

Talk Of The Town Nutrition

Taqueria Bertha

Golden Corral of Tifton

Rack’s Bar & Grill

>> Click here to view the most recent Restaurant Report<<

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