WTOL posted their restaurant inspection report on Facebook today and it highlighted Grape Leaf Express on Monroe Street (I think it's across from the mall, in that strip mall space that has been occupied by a bunch of different restaurants). Normally I don't see anything in those reports that are too outrageous but this one got me. First of all - no hot water or paper towels. Really? How hard is it to run to one of the many stores in the area and restock your paper towels? Then the biggie.... a block of butter stored directly on top of raw chicken. Is anybody familiar with this restaurant or the owners?
Grape Leaf Express - inspection report
Comments ... #
It is across the street from Target. I've never eaten there, but I see it when I'm waiting at the stop light to pull out of the Target parking lot.
P.S. Butter on top of raw chicken? Gross.
That's really disappointing - I've eaten there several times and the food is really good. It's been a big step up from Shai, which was what was previously in the location.
posted by idinspired on Aug 28, 2012 at 10:13:12 am #
Try the buttered chicken...It's really good.
posted by max on Aug 28, 2012 at 10:48:50 am # 9 people liked this
It's been a big step up from Shai...
A large step up from Shai would land in squarely in the mediocre level. Shai was terrible.
Thanks for the post, Dell_Diva. I was thinking about eating there this week, but I think I'll skip it and try to get my food poisoning somewhere else.
posted by madjack on Aug 28, 2012 at 12:11:09 pm # 1 person liked this
I believe it is the same owners as Grape Leaf Diner on McCord. Went there for dinner about a year ago and had to leave after finding tiny little bugs in my salad (it looked like they were in with the seasonings they used). I should have asked for the vegetarian (no MEAT!) version!
I heard the same family owns Sahara on Dussel. I eat there once per week, I'm hoping they do better, but I cant stay away from the chicken swarmma sandwich, the garlic sauce is something I dream about.
Unless the ownership of Sahara has changed recently, it is owned by an individual not related to the owners of the Grape Leaf.
Sad really. Grape Leaf used to be an excellent restaurant. Last few times we went, the decline was obvious. Haven't been there in at least a year and have no desire to go back.
posted by Foodie on Aug 29, 2012 at 05:23:59 pm # 1 person liked this
Grape Leaf on McCord is one of my favorite restaurants, so I was excited to try Grape Leaf Express, since it's closer to home. While I've never had a problem with the food, I have a very real problem with the lack of cleanliness at the new place. Beverages are serve-yourself fountain drinks, and the floor around the machine is always sticky. It's not much better at the tables, either -- we actually had a chair stick to the floor!
I haven't seen the inspection report, but I hope it spurs them to clean up their act!
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