Inspectors found cleanliness problems — like live roaches in the kitchen, mold in the freezer — and more.
David Leeson/82281
Throughout its July restaurant inspections, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District dished out plenty of grades of 100-out-of-100, but other establishments didn’t fare so well. Inspectors found cleanliness problems — like live roaches in the kitchen, a “pet dog” being kept inside a “sheet covered area” at a meat market — and more.
The Express-News looked at establishments that fell short of an “A” grade, which is 90 points or more. Here are the ones that received a score of 76 or below.
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Space Kitchen
During a July 2 inspection, a city health official observed “live roaches in freezer box where bags of ice were stored,” as well as dead roaches behind the counter and in the restrooms.
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The lowest score in July went to Space Kitchen at 527 W. Hildebrand Ave., which is housed in the former home of Cream Cocktail Lounge. It touts itself as a place for “late nite eats in a safe space” and a “restaurant (with) no alcohol,” although many of its events are marketed toward adults aged 21 and over. According to the establishment’s Instagram page, it serves wings.
During a July 2 inspection, a city health official observed at least 19 violations that required corrective action, including food stored in the refrigerator that was “not in good condition, adulterated and unsafe to consume.” There were also “live roaches in freezer box where bags of ice were stored,” as well as dead roaches behind the counter and in the restrooms, according to the report.
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Additionally, the inspector found a “mold-like residue” around the freezer box seal where ice was stored, as well as “soiled flooring, baseboards, walls and ceilings throughout establishment.” According to the report, the kitchen had no food permit posted, no sanitizing test strips and no food handler certificate on site. There were plastic bags of frozen raw chicken in the freezer, alongside ready-to-eat foods with no date label.
Space Kitchen’s total score landed at 72. Restaurant representatives did not respond to Express-News’ request for comment.
Nana’s Cafe
During a July 20 inspection, a health official found raw meats stored on racks above containers of cooked menudo, with the raw meat being stored next to orange juice.
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Nana’s Cafe at 8615 New Laredo Highway received a score of 74 during a July 20 inspection, when a city health official reported several food temperature and storage problems. Potatoes and eggs, along with barbacoa, were sitting at room temperature instead of being kept hot. Several cooked foods had also been sitting alongside the hot-holding table for about an hour, according to an employee.
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The inspector also found raw meats stored on racks above containers of cooked menudo, with the raw meat being stored next to orange juice. A cold-holding unit was registering at 62 degrees, above the required 41 degrees or below.
Other violations included bleach concentration that was too high, masa and meat stored in plastic grocery bags rather than food-grade containers, and prepared foods such as cooked barbacoa and beans that lacked proper expiration-date labels. The inspector also observed that trash cans were blocking the hand sink and that the establishment’s food permit needed to be posted in public view.
Nana’s Cafe did not immediately respond to Express-News’ Request for comment.
Coliseum Meat Market & Grocery
During a July 6 inspection, health officials found raw eggs stored on top of cheese, creating a potential cross-contamination risk. They also found dirty pickle tongs stored in a reused container filled with food debris and black residue.
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A July 6 inspection at Coliseum Meat Market & Grocery on 403 Spriggsdale Ave., turned up 13 violations requiring corrective action, including problems with food temperatures, handwashing, plumbing and a “pet dog” being kept inside a “sheet covered area” by the freezer, according to the inspection report. The inspector found the walk-in cooler was not keeping meat, cheese and other temperature-controlled foods at 41 degrees or lower. Bagged ice was also missing labels.
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Additionally, the inspection found raw eggs stored on top of cheese, creating a potential cross-contamination risk, as well as dirty pickle tongs stored in a reused container filled with food debris and “black residue.” The handwashing sink was out of order and lacked hot water, prompting the inspector to halt open-food handling, cooking and ice-bagging until it was repaired and verified.
Other violations included an expired food manager’s certificate, food stored on the freezer floor, dirty dish-storage areas, a broken walk-in cooler door and a leaking restroom fixture. An employee corrected the violation involving the dog “right away,” according to the report.
Coliseum Meat Market & Grocery’s total score was 76. The Express-News reached out to the restaurant for comment on whether or not the violations flagged during the July inspection had been adequately addressed, to which a representative responded: “You can contact the city about that.”
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