A recent health inspection of Mac’D & More Old Astoria Pizza has raised significant concerns following a low inspection score and allegations of unfair treatment by health inspectors. The restaurant, located on Commercial Street in Astoria, Oregon, received a score of 25 during its semi-annual inspection conducted on May 14, 2025, marking it as one of the lowest scores recorded by the Clatsop County Public Health Department this year.
Mac’D, which opened in March 2024, is known for its comfort food offerings, primarily macaroni and cheese and pizza. The inspection results highlighted 13 priority violations, including improper food handling, unsanitized surfaces, and inadequate chlorine sanitizer concentration. Such violations are deemed critical as they have direct implications for foodborne illness prevention.
In contrast, other local establishments, such as Angelina’s Pizzeria and Cafe and Fultano’s Pizza, received perfect scores during their inspections, underscoring the disparity in compliance among local restaurants. According to the inspection criteria, restaurants that score below 70 face re-inspection within 30 days or risk closure if violations remain unaddressed.
Inspection Process and Allegations of Profiling
Andrew Davis, one of the environmental health specialists responsible for the inspections, emphasized the importance of food safety and collaboration with restaurant owners. “I’m not trying to penalize people. I’m just trying to keep the public safe,” Davis explained. Despite this, McBoul, the owner of Mac’D, characterized the score of 25 as “uncalled for” and “wrong,” asserting that no major violations existed that warranted such a low rating.
Following the initial inspection, Mac’D underwent a series of reinspections, with the restaurant cited repeatedly for the same violations. McBoul claimed that the restaurant made efforts to correct issues prior to each re-inspection, yet Davis expressed dissatisfaction with the corrections made. McBoul and his team described instances of alleged misconduct by Davis during inspections, including accusations of unprofessional behavior, which they believe contributed to the restaurant’s ongoing struggles with compliance.
McBoul expressed concern over feeling targeted by Davis, suggesting that the inspector’s demeanor reflected a bias that affected the outcome of the inspections. “His looks. The way he was talking… I can tell,” McBoul stated, voicing his frustration over what he perceived as unfair treatment.
Final Inspection and Restaurant Response
After two and a half months of re-inspections, Mac’D finally achieved a passing score of 81 during its complete inspection on July 31, 2025. This score was attributed to the efforts of a different environmental health specialist, Meredith Reiley. Restaurant management acknowledged some non-compliance issues but maintained that the restaurant was safe for patrons.
Despite the tumultuous inspection process, McBoul and restaurant manager Tina Houser affirmed their commitment to food safety. “Absolutely, the place is safe,” McBoul stated, with Houser adding that they would not change their operational processes in response to the inspections.
Looking ahead, Mac’D aims to continue serving its community while reinforcing its commitment to maintaining safety standards. “We never violated rules to compromise any public health safety,” McBoul concluded, emphasizing the restaurant’s dedication to offering a safe dining experience amidst the challenges posed by the inspection process.
As the situation unfolds, both the restaurant and health officials are likely to remain under scrutiny, as community members seek clarity and accountability in health inspections that directly impact local businesses.
