The Tennessee Department of Health inspected eight establishments in Tipton County during the week of July 19–25, 2026. Two required follow-up visits after routine inspections turned up violations serious enough to trigger a return trip.

One of those — Margaritas Mexican Bar & Grill in Covington — had food embargoed during its routine visit after inspectors found nearly 10 pounds of temperature-controlled product held well outside the safe range, including chicken described in the report as producing “a stomach-turning and pungent odor.”

No establishments were closed or under embargo at week’s end.

Follow-up inspections

Margaritas Mexican Bar & Grill, 1686 Hwy 51 S., Covington, scored an 88 at a routine inspection July 22, the most serious result of the week. Inspectors found fajita steak and chicken — approximately four pounds and six pounds, respectively — stored in a drawer cooler and holding at 54°F, well above the 41°F maximum required for cold storage. The chicken was described in the inspection report as having a “stomach turning and pungent” odor. Both items were embargoed on the spot.

The routine also cited fly strips mounted above food preparation areas — with flies observed throughout the kitchen — noting that an employee began removing the strips as the inspector arrived. That violation was flagged for a 90-day follow-up if not corrected sooner.

Additional violations included missing thermometers in prep coolers, cases of chicken stored on the walk-in cooler floor, an unguarded ice scoop (corrected on-site), wet nesting of containers, and a dirty microwave.

At a July 24 follow-up, the cold-holding issue was resolved; the score rose to 93. Six items remained open, including the fly and pest issue, thermometers, floor storage, wet nesting, and the microwave.

Note: The adjacent bar area at the same address operates under a separate permit. Inspectors also visited that permit on July 22 and found no violations; the bar scored 100. The bar uses a VEVOR soft-serve machine, which staff clean and sanitize nightly.

Jose’s Mexican Street Food, 112 E. Court Square, Covington, scored 86 on July 24 — the week’s lowest score among routine inspections. Inspectors cited three separate violations under the pest and rodent prevention code: a rodent trap stored on shelves alongside clean pans, a fly strip covered in flies hanging above the prep table, and an exposed outer opening above the back door where an extension cord runs through the wall. A black mold-like substance was observed inside the ice machine. Additional violations included no paper towels at the men’s room hand-washing sink (corrected on-site), an unlabeled spray bottle, no thermometer in the reach-in cooler, no test strips for the three-compartment sink, a missing ceiling tile, and an employee coffee cup left on the prep table. The inspection was conducted jointly with inspector Jody Jackson. A follow-up inspection had not taken place by the end of Paper Folds’ reporting week (July 19-15).

Court Square Cafe, 132 W. Liberty St., Covington, scored an 87 at a routine inspection July 21. Inspectors found raw shell eggs stored above ready-to-eat foods — a cross-contamination risk corrected on-site — and a prep table refrigeration unit holding product at 51–52°F after approximately two hours, addressed by adding ice and flagged for follow-up. Additional violations included wet nesting of containers, plates stored food-side up, dust on ceiling tiles, and an uncovered employee drink.

At a July 24 follow-up, the cross-contamination issue and the cold-holding violation were resolved. The score rose to 96. Four items remained open: wet nesting, plate storage, ceiling dust, and the employee drink.

Other food service establishments

McDonald’s, 887 N. Hwy 51, Covington, scored 95 on July 24. Inspectors found french fries on the walk-in freezer floor, an ice scoop with its handle resting in the ice at the drive-through bin (corrected on-site), wet nesting of plastic containers, pink slime buildup on the ice machine drop guard, and a beverage station drain that needed cleaning.

Sweet Scentsations Bakery, 260 Commercial Dr., Atoka, scored 98 on July 21. Two items were cited: a wet wiping cloth left on the cake decorating table, and an employee drink without a lid stored on the prep table. Inspectors noted no temperature-controlled food product was present at the time of inspection.

The Daily Bread, 4194 Hwy 51 S., Brighton, scored 99 on July 21. One item was cited: no drainboards present on the three-compartment sink.

Tipton Tots Daycare & Pre-K, 245 Commercial Dr., Atoka, scored 100 on July 21. No violations were observed.

Scores and violation details are drawn from Tennessee Department of Health inspection reports, available at inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/tennessee.