Shelby County Restaurants Face Sanitation and Temperature Failures in August Inspections

Key points

• Rama Pizza in Memphis scored 64, citing excessive flies, food debris, and improper food storage.
• Taco Loco scored 71, with violations including an expired permit and raw meat stored above cheese.
• Action News 5 reports Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen was ordered to close due to an imminent health hazard from lack of hot water.
• Williamson Source reports Five Guys and McDonald’s in Williamson County scored 86 and 87, respectively, with violations including flies and temperature issues.
• No restaurants in Shelby County received a perfect score of 100 in the August 11-17 reporting period.

Background

Previous coverage in August 2026 highlighted similar sanitation and temperature violations in Jefferson County and Arlington, with some restaurants closing temporarily for issues like roach infestations. The Tennessee Department of Health requires restaurants to post inspection scores and maintain temperatures below 41°F for cold foods.

How outlets are covering it

WREG focuses on the lowest scores in Shelby County, highlighting Rama Pizza and Taco Loco. Action News 5 provides a broader view, including top scores and a mandatory closure for Captain D’s. Williamson Source and Rutherford Source report on scores in Williamson and Rutherford counties, respectively, showing that even chains like Five Guys and McDonald’s can score in the 80s due to minor violations. Outlets differ in scope, with WREG and Action News 5 covering Memphis/Shelby County, while Williamson Source covers a different region.

Why it matters

Low inspection scores indicate potential health risks for diners, including exposure to pests, improper food temperatures, and unsanitary conditions. Mandatory closures, like that of Captain D’s, highlight the severity of certain violations and the importance of regular inspections for public safety.

What to watch

Restaurants with low scores must correct violations before follow-up inspections. Captain D’s must reopen only after a reinspection confirms all priority violations are fixed. Rama Pizza and Taco Loco must address their issues, with Taco Loco required to pay for its expired permit within 48 hours.