A92.5
B&K TEA CAFE
21714 CATAWBA AV, UNIT A4, Cornelius, NC 28031
Restaurant · NC permit/State ID 20600111506
Latest gradeA (92.5)
Last inspectedJul 29, 2026
Inspections on record3
On record sinceDec 17, 2025
Score history
Dec 17, 2025Higher is betterJul 29, 2026
Inspections & violations
Jul 29, 2026 A 92.5 · 9 violations
Inspector comments: Approved Additives
TPHC - Tapioca Pearls
All proteins are received fully cooked
EHA observed rice that had been cooled down from the night before. Permit restrictions include NO COOLING of hot foods:
The FOOD ESTABLISHMENT is prohibited from cooling hot foods due to insufficient/improper cooling equipment. Heated foods shall be discarded at the end of each business day.
#2 · Certified Food Protection Manager −1
2-102.12 (A) PIC shall demonstrate knowledge by being a certified food protection manager.
No employee present is certified.
#3 · Management, food & conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities & reporting −1
Corrected during inspectionRepeat violation
REPEAT
2-102.11 (C ) (2), (3), (17) The Person in charge shall demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, application of HACCP principles, and the requirements of this code by (A) Complying with the Food Code by having no violations of Priority Items during the current inspection, (B) Being a certified food protection manager, or (C) by responding correctly to the inspector's questions related to employee health process and procedures. -Pf
Observed a Health Policy with 5 illnesses instead of 6. CDI - EHS provided new Health Policy during inspection.
#10 · Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible −1
Corrected during inspectionRepeat violation
REPEAT
5-205.11 (B) A handwashing sink may not be used for purposes other than handwashing Pf.
Observed several wet rags stored on the sides of the hand sinks. CDI - Items were removed. Improvements made from previous inspection due to hose being stored away from the hand sink.
#23 · Proper date marking & disposition −3
Corrected during inspectionRepeat violation
REPEAT
3-501.17 (A) or (B) Date mark/label all TCS foods that are ready-to-eat once opened or prepared and are to be held for more than 24 hours. -Pf. Establish a date marking system consistent with 3-501.17 (A) or (B). Additional date marking system options are found in 3-501.17 (D).
3-501.18 Discard the food requiring date labels once time/temperature window has expired, if it has not been labeled, or if the label is incorrect. -P The PIC should train and assign staff to monitor date marking to prevent the use of food products that are no longer in compliance with 3-501.17 (A), (B), or (C)
Observed spam and salmon past the 7-day date mark. Observed missing date mark from kimchi and rice cooled from yesterday. CDI - Spam and salmon were voluntarily discarded. Kimchi and rice were dated for the day they were opened/prepared.
#28 · Toxic substances properly identified stored & used
Corrected during inspection
7-102.11 Label working containers of toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers.-Pf
Observed one spray bottle of chemical without a label. CDI - Employee labeled during inspection.
#40 · Personal cleanliness
2-303.11 Remove jewelry on hands and arms while preparing food. A plain ring, such as a wedding band, is allowed.
Observed two employees preparing food while wearing watches and bracelets.
#41 · Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
3-304.14(B) Hold in-use wiping cloths in properly concentrated sanitizer between uses.
Observed wet wiping cloths draped over the sides of hand sinks.
#51 · Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices −1
Corrected during inspectionRepeat violation
REPEAT
5-202.14 Prevent backflow or back siphonage prevention devices installed shall meet American Society of Sanitary Engineering standards. -P
Observed a water hose being cut off by spray nozzle and an ASSE-1001 backflow prevention device that is not rated for continuous pressure. CDI - Water was turned off at the faucet.
#54 · Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained −0.5
Repeat violation
REPEAT
5-501.113(B) Keep dumpster, outside waste containers covered with tight-fitting lids or doors.
Observed open dumpster doors and recycling bin lids.
May 8, 2026 A 97 · 7 violations
Inspector comments: Approved Additives
TPHC - Tapioca Pearls
All proteins are received fully cooked
#3 · Management, food & conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities & reporting
Corrected during inspection
2-102.11 (C ) (2), (3), (17) The Person in charge shall demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, application of HACCP principles, and the requirements of this code by (A) Complying with the Food Code by having no violations of Priority Items during the current inspection, (B) Being a certified food protection manager, or (C) by responding correctly to the inspector's questions related to employee health process and procedures. -Pf
Observed a Health Policy with 5 illnesses instead of 6. CDI - EHS provided new Health Policy during inspection.
#10 · Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible −1
Corrected during inspection
5-205.11 (B) A handwashing sink may not be used for purposes other than handwashing Pf.
Observed a hose sitting inside of the back kitchen hand sink. CDI - Item was removed.
#23 · Proper date marking & disposition −1.5
Corrected during inspectionRepeat violation
REPEAT
3-501.17 (A) or (B) Date mark/label all TCS foods that are ready-to-eat once opened or prepared and are to be held for more than 24 hours. -Pf. Establish a date marking system consistent with 3-501.17 (A) or (B). Additional date marking system options are found in 3-501.17 (D).
Observed open containers of milk and kimchi without date marks. CDI - Items were dated for when they were opened. Improvements made from previous inspection.
#24 · Time as a Public Health Control; procedures & records
Corrected during inspection
3-501.19(B)(3) Follow written procedures for foods held using Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC) for 4 hours. Food shall be marked to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control. Pf
Observed missing time stamp for Tapioca Pearls. CDI - Owner labeled during inspection for the time they were cooked.
#36 · Thermometers provided & accurate −0.5
Corrected during inspection
4-302.12 Provide an accessible thermometer for use. Provide a thin probe thermometer for accurate measure of thin foods.-Pf .
Observed no thin-probe thermometer during inspection. CDI - Owner ordered one during inspection and provided proof of purchase.
#51 · Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Corrected during inspection
5-202.14 Prevent backflow or back siphonage prevention devices installed shall meet American Society of Sanitary Engineering standards. -P
Observed a water hose being cut off by spray nozzle and an ASSE-1001 backflow prevention device that is not rated for continuous pressure. CDI - Water was turned off at the faucet.
#54 · Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
5-501.113(B) Keep dumpster, outside waste containers covered with tight-fitting lids or doors.
Observed open dumpster doors.
Dec 17, 2025 A 98.5 · 5 violations
#6 · Proper eating, tasting, drinking or tobacco use
Corrected during inspection
2-401.11 (A). Employee beverages must be stored in a designated area where contamination of food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles cannot occur. Observed employee beverage stored uncovered on work surface in front service area. CDI- PIC discarded beverage.
#23 · Proper date marking & disposition −1.5
Corrected during inspection
3-501.17 (A) or (B) Date mark/label all TCS foods that are ready-to-eat once opened or prepared and are to be held for more than 24 hours. -Pf. Establish a date marking system consistent with 3-501.17 (A) or (B). Additional date marking system options are found in 3-501.17 (D).
Observed tuna salad, boiled egg in prep cooler without date mark. CDI- PIC date marked with prep date.
For more information, please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Date Marking Food Safely https://youtu.be/BOPsSNUajYs .
#24 · Time as a Public Health Control; procedures & records
Corrected during inspection
3-501.19 (A) (1) Written procedures for Time as a Public Health Control shall be prepared in advance, maintained in the establishment, and made available for the Health Department upon request. Written TPHC procedures must specify methods of compliance with 3-501.19 (B) or (C). -Pf.
Observed heated tapioca pearls in warmer and being held on TPHC without a written procedure in place.
CDI- provided PIC with TPHC template by email.
TPHC procedure template may be found at: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety
#37 · Food properly labeled: original container
3-302.12 Label all working containers of food (oils, spices, salts, flour, sugar) except food that is easy to identify such as dry pasta.
Observed some dry foods in unlabeled containers.
#43 · In-use utensils: properly stored
3-304.12 (F) Containers of water used for storing in-use utensils must be maintained at a temperature of at least 135 F and cleaned at least every 24 hours or when container has accumulated soil or residue.
Observed utensils used with heated tapioca pearls stored in water < 135F. PIC will store in container without water going forward.
Source: Mecklenburg County Public Health – Environmental Health public inspection portal (search for “B&K TEA CAFE” or State ID 20600111506). Inspection type (routine vs. follow-up) is not published in the county's data.