Local restaurant Mac’D & More Old Astoria Pizza has faced significant scrutiny following a health inspection that resulted in a low score of 25. Conducted by the Clatsop County Public Health Department on May 14, 2025, the inspection highlighted numerous violations that led to a temporary closure of the establishment. The restaurant, which opened in March 2024, is known for its comfort food offerings, particularly macaroni and cheese and pizza.
According to health department records, Mac’D was cited for 13 priority violations, including improper hand washing practices, inadequate food protection, and unclean surfaces. The report noted alarming conditions, stating, “VARIOUS REFRIGERATED UNITS AND FOOD CONTAINERS HAVE ACCUMULATIONS OF MOLD GROWTH ON AND AROUND FOOD.” Violations are categorized based on severity, with priority violations directly linked to foodborne illness posing the highest risk.
Under the county’s health inspection protocol, restaurants scoring below 70 must undergo re-inspection within 30 days to avoid closure. Following the initial inspection, Mac’D underwent a series of re-inspections over two and a half months, repeatedly being cited for the same violations. Despite management’s assertions that they corrected issues before each re-inspection, the restaurant struggled to meet compliance standards.
Andrew Davis, one of the environmental health specialists involved in the inspections, emphasized the importance of food safety. “I’m not trying to penalize people. I’m just trying to keep the public safe,” he stated. Despite this, Randy McBoul, the owner of Mac’D, expressed strong disagreement with the inspection findings, describing the score as “uncalled for” and claiming that no major violations were present.
The back-and-forth between the health department and Mac’D management included allegations of unprofessional conduct from health inspectors. McBoul and his team reported instances where Davis allegedly displayed frustration during inspections, which they felt contributed to their ongoing issues with compliance. McBoul accused Davis of “profiling,” stating, “He treated me as such; he’s definitely a racist.”
In response to these accusations, Jennifer Benoit, interim public affairs officer for Clatsop County, asserted that health inspectors apply standards uniformly across all establishments. “We consistently apply the same health and food safety standards at every establishment,” Benoit explained.
After a series of inspections, Mac’D finally achieved a passing score of 81 during a complete inspection on July 31, 2025, conducted by another health specialist, Meredith Reiley. This inspection was part of a mandatory follow-up after the restaurant’s failure to comply status.
While acknowledging some violations, McBoul maintained that the restaurant’s operations were safe and that no changes would be made to their food safety processes moving forward. “We cannot emphasize enough… the safety was there to begin with,” he stated, reaffirming his commitment to public health standards.
The situation surrounding Mac’D highlights the complexities of health inspections and the potential for miscommunication between restaurant management and health officials. As the restaurant continues to serve its community, both the management and health department may need to address the underlying issues to ensure compliance and restore public confidence.
