Sonic Drive-In permit threatened with suspension over cockroach infestation
Restaurant given 30 days to correct problems or face closure
The Sonic Drive-In in Havelock got a 96.5 on its health inspection but that wasn’t good enough to keep the health department from threatening to pull its permit.
The restaurant was given a notice Jan. 30 to clean up its act, or it would have to close in 30 days.
The restaurant was given a notice of intent to suspend or revoke its permit. Scott Martin, environmental health specialist, cited an infestation of cockroaches as the main reason for the citation .
According to the notice, “effective measures shall be taken to keep insects … pests out of establishment to prevent their breeding or presence on the premises.”
As part of the business’s inspection, Martin wrote “frequent sanitizing of all food contact surfaces is recommended to prevent cross-contamination from pest infestation.”
Martin furthermore wrote “infestation of German cockroaches present along dry storage single service storage, mechanical equipment and large soda hoses. Visible live pests, frass and egg cases present.”
In the report, Martin wrote that all floors and walls needed a detailed cleaning and that areas in the restaurant should be sealed to prevent breeding areas for pests.
The notice of intent to suspend the restaurant's permit was issued "due to visible heavy cockroach infestation present and visible possible cross contamination to food,” Martin wrote.
The restaurant, located at 1301 East Main St., remains open. Contacted by phone Wednesday, the manager had no comment.
According to Keith Jernigan, with the state Division of Environmental Health in Craven County, there will be a follow-up inspection at this month.
"When you are dealing with insects, it's not easy to fix quickly," Jernigan said.
Jernigan said 15 similar notices were issued last year in Craven County, which has 250 facilities that are inspected four times a year.
"It's a tool we use to get compliance when the tools they are using aren't," Jernigan said.
For a complete list of area restaurant sanitation scores, click HERE
