Restaurant · Wake County, NC

The Poke Republic

5036 Arco St

Last inspected Nov 9, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 94

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More Issues RecentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was The Poke Republic last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Nov 9, 2026. The result listed by Wake County Environmental Services was “Score 94” (official score 94).
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 6 violations recorded, none marked critical. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 3 inspections on record, from Sep 16, 2024 to Nov 9, 2026.
Has The Poke Republic ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 3 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Sep 16, 2024.

The Full Inspection History

3 inspections

1 - Inspection

Nov 9, 2026

Score 94

Official score: 94 · Understand This Area’s Scale

6 recorded violations

notedCode —Permits, training, and postings

Official Wording

Certified Food Protection Manager

Inspector’s Notes

2-102.12 (A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C) A certified food protection manager was not present during inspection. A person in charge shall be a certified food protection manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program. Acquire a food protection manager certification. List of ANSI-approved programs: https://anabpd.ansi.org/Accreditation/credentialing/personnel-certification/food-protection-manager/ALLdirectoryListing?menuID=8&prgID=8&statusID=4

In Plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

notedCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s Notes

4-602.11 Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils - Frequency (C) Ice machine had black debris on left interior wall. Ice makers and beverage dispensers shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. Clean ice machine more frequently.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 3-501.16 (A) (1) Time / Temperature Control for Safety FoodFood temperature

Official Wording

Proper hot holding temperatures

Inspector’s Notes

3-501.16 (A) (1) Time / Temperature Control for Safety Food; Hot and Cold Holding (P) Back container of rice was maintained below 135F (76F) due to the warmer being unplugged. Temperature controlled for safety foods shall be maintained at 135F or greater when held hot. CDI: Rice was voluntarily discarded by PIC.

In Plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode —Other

Official Wording

Time as a Public Health Control; procedures & records

Inspector’s Notes

3-501.19(B)(3) Follow written procedures for foods held using Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC) for 4 hours. Food shall be marked to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control (Pf) Sushi rice and spam musubi were not labeled with the times of temperature removal. CDI: Spam musubi was labeled during inspection. Sushi rice was voluntarily discarded by PIC. Ensure all food maintained on time instead of temperature are labeled with times to indicate when 4 hours have past. Repeat violation.

In Plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Toilet facilities: properly constructed; supplied & cleaned

Inspector’s Notes

5-501.17 Provide a covered waste bin in female restrooms. Female restroom does not have a covered trash. Add covered waste bin. Repeat violation.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 6-501.12 CleaningCleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Physical facilities installed; maintained & clean

Inspector’s Notes

6-501.12 Cleaning; Frequency and Restrictions (C) Flooring under prep units and wire racks was soiled with black residues and food debris. Vents above tall cooler had accumulations of dust. Physical facilities shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to keep them clean. Clean areas listed.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Nov 9, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Sep 15, 2025

Score 97.5

Official score: 97.5 · Understand This Area’s Scale

4 recorded violations

notedCode 2-103.11(O) Ensure food employees are informed of their responsibility to report required symptomsPermits, training, and postings

Official Wording

Management; food & conditional employee; knowledge; responsibilities & reporting

Inspector’s Notes

2-103.11(O) Ensure food employees are informed of their responsibility to report required symptoms; illnesses and exposure (Pf) PIC was unable to provide employee reporting agreement during inspection. Employee reporting agreement is digital; but pdf was unable to be viewed. CDI: REHS provided employee with employee reporting agreement poster template. Zero points deducted.

In Plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

majorCode 3-501.19 (A) (1) Written procedures for Time as a Public Health Control shall be prepared in advanceOther

Official Wording

Time as a Public Health Control; procedures & records

Inspector’s Notes

3-501.19 (A) (1) Written procedures for Time as a Public Health Control shall be prepared in advance; maintained in the establishment; and made available for the Health Department upon request. Written TPHC procedures must specify methods of compliance with 3-501.19 (B) or (C) (Pf) Facility does not have written time as a public health control procedures for spam musubi or sushi rice. REHS provided time as a public health control procedure template to PIC and will verify procedures are completed by 9/25/2025. 3-501.19(B)(3) Follow written procedures for foods held using Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC) for 4 hours. Food shall be marked to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control (Pf) Sushi rice and spam musubi were not labeled with the times of temperature removal. CDI: Labels were added by PIC during inspection. Ensure all food maintained on time instead of temperature are labeled with times to indicate when 4 hours have past.

In Plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 7-204.11 SanitizersChemicals

Official Wording

Toxic substances properly identified stored & used

Inspector’s Notes

7-204.11 Sanitizers; Criteria - Chemicals (P) Wiping cloth bucket had chlorine sanitizer concentration greater than 200 PPM. Chlorine sanitizer must have a concentration of 50-200 PPM chlorine. CDI: Sanitizing solution was diluted.

In Plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely

notedCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Toilet facilities: properly constructed; supplied & cleaned

Inspector’s Notes

5-501.17 Provide a covered waste bin in female restrooms. Female restroom does not have a covered trash. Add covered waste bin. Zero points deducted.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Sep 15, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Sep 16, 2024

Score 97

Official score: 97 · Understand This Area’s Scale

4 recorded violations

criticalCode 4-4-501.114Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s Notes

4-4-501.114; Priority; Chlorine Sanitizing solution had a concentration below 50-200PPM. CDI-Sanitizer was remade and tested to be 50PPM.; Corrected During Inspection.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 3-501.16(A)(1)Food temperature

Official Wording

Proper hot holding temperatures

Inspector’s Notes

3-501.16(A)(1) ; Priority; Two containers of rice were maintained above 135F. Temperature controlled for safety foods shall be maintained at 135F or greater. CDI: Rice was voluntarily discarded by PIC. Discussed time/temperature solutions with PIC. Left warmer will remain turned on for temperature control for prepared sushi rice while right warmer will be maintained on time control.

In Plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 3-302.15Other

Official Wording

Washing fruits & vegetables

Inspector’s Notes

3-302.15; Core; Washed avocados still had stickers intact. Fruits and vegetables shall be thoroughly washed to remove soil and other contaminants. Remove stickers during washing.

In Plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 4-903.11(A) and (C)Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

Single-use & single-service articles: properly stored & used

Inspector’s Notes

4-903.11(A) and (C); Core; To-go containers were not inverted during storage. Single-service articles shall be protected from contamination until used. Invert single-service items.