Dean's Italian Steakhouse in Uptown Charlotte did not exactly ace its latest health check. The popular spot was hit with a B, an 87% score, after a Mecklenburg County inspection on April 10 that called out a string of sanitation issues. Inspectors cited problems with handwashing, employees touching ready-to-eat foods with bare hands, raw meats stored above cooked or ready-to-eat items, and equipment described as heavily soiled. They also flagged unlabeled prepared foods, unwashed produce and improper cooling methods, putting the busy steakhouse under added scrutiny during a week when county officials were checking on more than 100 local restaurants.
According to The Charlotte Observer, the inspection details were posted to the county's public sanitation database with a full itemized list of violations. The outlet notes that at least 125 restaurants were inspected between April 10 and 16, and that most other establishments pulled scores of 90% or higher.
What inspectors found
The Mecklenburg County report shows multiple priority and non-priority violations that added up to the B grade. Inspectors documented inadequate handwashing, employees handling raw meat in areas used to prepare ready-to-eat foods, and bare-hand contact with exposed ready-to-eat items. They reported that a slicer and can opener were "heavily soiled with old food debris" and that roughly 15 cutting boards were touching a heavily soiled shelf. Several prepared foods did not have date marks or timestamps, and the inspection also flagged improper cooling methods and unwashed produce. The full breakdown appears in the county's Mecklenburg County inspection file.
Address discrepancy and past scores
On paper, Dean's is in two slightly different places. The restaurant's official website lists the address as 128 E. Brooklyn Vlg Ave, while the county's report pegs the site as 600 S. College St, the JW Marriott's address. The two spots are only about 150 feet apart in Uptown. The Charlotte Observer notes that Dean's previously received a B in 2022 but has mostly earned A grades outside of that.
Legal implications and next steps
State rules give health officials real teeth if problems are not fixed. Under G.S. 130A-23, the state can immediately revoke a permit issued under G.S. 130A-248 if a restaurant does not maintain at least a C grade. Local inspection records show the more common path is to order corrections and then return for verification. Dean's inspection report lists items marked for correction and at least one violation set for verification within 10 days. If critical problems are not resolved, inspectors can escalate to permit suspension or revocation under state regulations.
What to watch
Now the waiting game is on for a follow-up visit. Diners and neighbors can look for a reinspection report from the county confirming whether the violations were corrected, since inspectors typically return after fixes are made and then post updated scores online. Dean's website continues to list hours and a reservation phone number, and any new inspection grade should be visible at the restaurant and on the county portal once it is logged.
