Spoiled tomatoes, black substance found by inspector at Newport restaurant

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The eatery with the failing health score is in Cocke County. There were a lot of problems with food temperatures.

The grade is a 67 at La Carreta Mexican on West Broadway in Newport. That is a failing score, as a grade of 69 and below is considered failing.

La Carreta, 119 W. Broadway, Newport — Grade: 67, Follow-up Grade: 90

To begin with, the inspector found hot food that was not hot enough. Beef tips and refried beans were at 109 degrees, but 135 and above is the safe hot temperature to kill bacteria. In the cooler, the cut lettuce was at 59 degrees and records indicate it had been in the fridge for over 24 hours at that temperature. But 41 and below is the correct cool temperature, so no one gets sick.

Also in the walk-in cooler, the inspector found spoile