Huntsville, September 13, 2025
News Summary
Captain D’s in Huntsville has been flagged with the lowest health inspection score in Madison County this week, scoring just 78. Significant violations include a roach infestation and unclean soda nozzles, raising serious concerns about food safety. Other establishments, such as Brothers Mini-Mart and Al Shish Palace, also scored poorly, highlighting the need for better compliance with health regulations in the area. Public health officials are monitoring conditions to enforce high standards for safe dining experiences.
Huntsville
This week, Captain D’s, located on University Drive in Huntsville, received the lowest health inspection score in Madison County, with a score of 78. The establishment faced serious violations that could jeopardize its operational license, including a significant roach infestation observed during a surprise inspection that occurred just two weeks after a public complaint.
Captain D’s encountered multiple violations, highlighting issues such as residue in soda nozzles, broken fryer baskets, and improper temperature storage for lettuce. These findings raise concerns about food safety and sanitation standards at the restaurant.
Alongside Captain D’s, the Brothers Mini-Mart, situated on Governors Drive, also scored a 78 following a temporary closure due to a leak from the ceiling that affected ready-to-eat chicken. Other violations at the mini-mart included pizzas stored at incorrect temperatures, a dirty ice chute, and untrained employees lacking proper health documentation.
Another establishment, Al Shish Palace on Hughes Road, recorded a low score of 74, primarily due to violations that included tomatoes stored at improper temperatures and a lack of soap and paper towels at a handwashing sink. Comfort Suites hotel on Torok Circle also faced scrutiny, achieving a score of 76 due to residue in an ice machine and unlabeled chemical bottles, highlighting the need for compliance with health codes.
In the Von Braun Center, Rhythm on Monroe faced challenges with an 80, citing multiple food temperature violations and issues with employees handling ready-to-eat foods without gloves. In neighboring DeKalb County, Tienda Tikal’s restaurant and shop earned scores of 82 and 83, respectively, with notable issues including unlabeled foods, mold in ice machines, and an overflowing grease trap.
Nature’s Table in Morgan County received a score of 80, reflecting problems such as a malfunctioning dishwasher, mold on avocados, and a dirty ice machine. Several establishments in Limestone County reported violations as well, including Elizabeth’s Cocina, which had food temperature issues and fly infestations. Andy’s Foodmart in Hartselle scored a 76 due to various violations, including no toilet paper in the men’s restroom and mold found in ice machines.
Despite these concerning scores, no significant health issues were reported in Colbert, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, and Lawrence counties. Additionally, fifteen sites across the inspected counties achieved perfect health inspection scores, indicating some establishments are maintaining high health standards.
Background Context
Health inspections are critical for ensuring that food establishments adhere to safety and sanitation standards. Inspections are conducted regularly, and scores reflect compliance with health regulations aimed at protecting the public from foodborne illnesses. Establishments that receive low scores are often given a chance to rectify issues before penalties, including license suspensions, are enforced.
In Huntsville and surrounding counties, public health officials continue to monitor restaurants and businesses to enforce standards that promote safe eating environments.
FAQ
What was the lowest health inspection score reported this week in Madison County?
Captain D’s received the lowest score of 78, primarily due to serious violations including a roach infestation.
What specific violations were noted at Captain D’s?
Violations included roaches found in the back room, residue in soda nozzles, broken fryer baskets, and lettuce stored at incorrect temperatures.
Which other establishments had low scores and what were their violations?
The Brothers Mini-Mart also scored 78 due to a ceiling leak affecting ready-to-eat chicken, improper pizza temperatures, a dirty ice chute, and untrained staff. Al Shish Palace scored 74 with violations including tomatoes stored improperly and inadequate hand sanitization supplies.
Key Features Chart
| Establishment | Score | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| Captain D’s | 78 | Roaches, soda nozzle residue, broken fryer baskets, wrong lettuce temperature |
| Brothers Mini-Mart | 78 | Ceiling leak, wrong pizza temperature, dirty ice chute, untrained employees |
| Al Shish Palace | 74 | Wrong tomato temperature, no soap/paper towels |
| Comfort Suites | 76 | Ice machine residue, unlabeled chemicals |
| Rhythm on Monroe | 80 | Food temperature violations, barehand contact with ready-to-eat foods |
| Tienda Tikal | 82 | Unlabeled foods, mold in ice machine, overflowing grease trap |
| Nature’s Table | 80 | Malfunctioning dishwasher, mold on avocados, dirty ice machine |
| Andy’s Foodmart | 76 | No toilet paper, mold in ice machine |
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Additional Resources
- WAFF: Kitchen Cops Find Roaches in Huntsville Fast Food Restaurant
- WAAY: Madison County Restaurant Inspection Scores – Roaches Found
- WAAY: Roaches on the Wall in Providence – Restaurant Inspection Scores
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- Google Search: Restaurant Health Inspection Scores
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
