LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Health inspectors in Lubbock recently documented dozens of violations at several local restaurants, citing issues ranging from improper cooling and dirty equipment to potential pest entry and a lack of managerial control over food safety practices.
Reports show most problems were corrected during the inspections.
Vallarta Taqueria & Restaurant at 5727 82nd had 16 violations.
Chicharrones and a red liquid were not cooled properly. This can cause bacteria growth.Multiple items were cooled in large bulk pans not allowing for the proper cooling temperature to be met.A plastic grocery bag was used to store food.A writing pen was on a cutting board.A can opener was dirty.An employee placed raw beef on the grill and use the same gloved hand to handled a roll.A toxic item was not labeled.Plates were damaged.The inspector notes due to the number and the nature of the violations a lack of managerial control was demonstrated.
(Core)
Ceiling tiles above the prep area in the dry storage area were visibly soiled with a buildup of dust and other debris.Metal containers on the drying rack were stacked wet in a manner that did not allow for proper air drying.Ice machine deflector plate had an orange film on it.Wet mop, not in immediate use, was stored with the mop head directly in the basin of the mop sink in a manner that did not allow for proper air drying.Employee drink was stored on a prep table.Employee drink was stored on a shelf above a food prep surface.
The report shows most violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.
Hot & Spicy Cajun Seafood at 5004 Frankford had 17 violations.
A container of minced garlic was above the safe cold temperature of 41°.Raw crab was stored above ready to eat sausage.The dishwasher was not sanitizing.Sponges were stored above the three compartment sink.The shut off valves for the backflow prevention device were not installed correctly.The facility does not have a certified food manager.There were no food handlers certificates available.The lid of the ice machine was broken.
(Core)
Mesh liner on screen door not properly installed, allowing possible entry for pests/rodents.Wet wiping cloth stored on prep table.Container of raw oysters, stored in walk-in freezer, was uncovered.Plastic cups were stacked wet at the bar area.Rice paddles used to dispense cooked rice, stored in container of water that measured at 74°F.Electrical cord had an accumulation of dust above clean utensils on clean wares rack.Personal lidded drink and jacket stored on a shelf above a prep table.Personal toothbrush stored above containers of dry rice at the frying station.Employee salsa stored above container of sugar in dry storage area.
The report shows most violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.
Golf Suites at 6909 Marsha Sharp Freeway had 34 violations.
Multiple items in the kitchen were dirty including milkshake cups, citrus squeezers, the ice bin that holds beverages and the soda gun nozzles.The drainage line from a soda gun holder was backed up with waste water and the soda gun was leaking.The faucet at a hand sink was leaking.There was no soap at a hand sink.There was food debris on clean dishes.Dirty pans were stored in food warmers.Several items were not in good repair including cutting boards, plastic containers and dough pans.Paint was peeling on a citrus squeezer.The sanitizer in the dishwasher was not strong enough.Waste lines from the soda machine were inside the floor drain.The vacuum breaker on the mop sink faucet was missing.Gaskets were torn on the reach-in cooler.The inspector notes, due to the number and the nature of violations management did not show proper food safety knowledge.
(Core)
The storage area under the stairs has an ant hill growing in the floor with live ants. The area is used to store clean linens, chemicals, and not-in-current-use items/equipment.The back door in the stair area was propped open, and the kitchen door was propped open during food service operating hours.Clean glasses stored in reach-in cooler/freezer were stored with their food contact surfaces on the visibly soiled surface of the unit in the bar area.Food service items (glass ware, single-service food containers, linens) stored in the stair area are stored on the floor, and unlabeled to determine use.Paper towels stored in front holders at the hand sinks are visibly soiled.Single-service portion cups stored inside bulk seasoning containers are being used to dispense product.New, unwrapped tea bags are stored in a nonoriginal hot chocolate cardboard box by the soda machine on the 2nd floor.Two bulk containers stored in the pizza prep area, that PIC identified as flour and bread crumbs, did not have a label to identify the products.Stove burners, and areas under the burners are visibly soiled with food residue build-up.Not-in-current-use warming cabinets was visibly soiled.Multiple food service bins, stored on clean storage rack, had accumulation of sticker residue.The vent hood filters over the stove area were visibly soiled with grease.Walk-in coolers and walk-in freezer walls, floors, ceilings, and fan covers were visibly dusty in areas.Reach-in cooler interior surfaces, wire racks, doors, and door gaskets, were visibly soiled.The floor around the floor drain under the soda machine by the bar is visibly damaged with exposed gravel, holding waste water, and no longer properly angled to be able to drain into the floor drain.Personal items (ball caps, personal drink) are stored on boxes of in-use soda syrups, and on a rack in the pizza area over food storage.Original coving was removed throughout the food prep areas and in the mop sink room, and replaced with rubber coving that did not cover the entire original wall area. Approximately 4 inches of the wall is exposed or unprotected from condensation or other soils.The mop sink room had visibly damaged walls with material peeling off the wall.Swinging doors from food service areas to outside driving range are not self closing, allowing for the potential entry of pests.Current permit facility name does not match the legal information on the posted Sales Tax Certificate.
The report shows most violations were corrected while the inspector was there.
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