A recent health inspection has led to significant controversy for Mac’D & More Old Astoria Pizza, a local restaurant known for its macaroni and cheese and pizza. The Clatsop County Public Health Department awarded the establishment its lowest semi-annual inspection score of the year, a mere 25, on May 14, 2025. This score prompted a temporary closure, as it fell below the required compliance threshold of 70.
Located on Commercial Street in Astoria, Mac’D opened in March 2024 and quickly became popular in the community. The inspection process involves a scoring system where restaurants receive a score out of 100 based on various health and safety violations. Priority violations, which directly relate to preventing foodborne illnesses, carry a significant impact on the scoring. In this case, the health department cited Mac’D for a total of 13 priority violations, including improper hand washing, inadequate food protection measures, and unsanitary conditions.
Inspection Findings and Responses
Andrew Davis, one of two environmental health specialists in Clatsop County, conducted the inspection. He reported that the facility had severe issues, including “various refrigerated units and food containers” showing signs of mold growth and instances of raw chicken being stored improperly above other food items. The records emphasized the urgency of corrective actions, with several comments highlighted in all caps to stress their importance.
Randy McBoul, the owner of Mac’D, expressed disbelief at the inspection results, describing the score as “uncalled for” and asserting that the restaurant met safety standards. He stated, “Fridges were up to temperature, food safety was up to temperature, everything was up to the standard.” Despite his long history in the restaurant industry, McBoul noted that he had never previously encountered such a failure in inspection.
Following the initial inspection, Mac’D underwent a series of re-inspections over two and a half months. These included inspections on May 15, May 16, May 20, and a final complete inspection on July 31. Throughout these inspections, Mac’D continued to receive citations for the same priority violations, indicating a failure to rectify the issues identified by Davis.
Despite McBoul’s claims of compliance, Davis expressed dissatisfaction with the restaurant’s efforts to address the violations. “For a facility that requires closure, I’ll do my best … to work with them because I understand that is their business,” Davis stated. “I’m not trying to penalize people. I’m just trying to keep the public safe.”
Management Allegations and Final Outcomes
The situation escalated as McBoul and his restaurant manager, Tina Houser, alleged that Davis exhibited unprofessional behavior during inspections. They claimed he left the premises in frustration over minor issues, which they believe contributed to the restaurant’s prolonged inspection process. McBoul suggested that Davis’s demeanor led him to feel profiled and targeted, raising concerns about the inspector’s conduct.
Jennifer Benoit, interim public affairs officer for the county, defended the inspection process, stating that health inspectors consistently apply the same standards across all establishments. On July 31, following multiple re-inspections, Mac’D achieved a passing score of 81. This score was recorded during a complete inspection conducted by another environmental health specialist, Meredith Reiley.
While McBoul acknowledged some of the violations, he maintained that the restaurant is safe for public dining. The restaurant’s management has stated they will not alter their operational processes, emphasizing their commitment to food safety. “Everything stays safe. There are no changes. We never violated rules to compromise any public health safety,” McBoul affirmed.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by restaurant owners regarding health inspections and the potential for miscommunication between health officials and business operators. The outcome of this inspection cycle may serve as a case study for both the restaurant industry and public health departments in ensuring compliance while fostering cooperation.