LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Two popular local restaurants are on this week’s low performers list.
Italian Garden at 1215 Avenue J had 12 violations.
Canadian bacon was above the safe cold temperature of 41°.Uncooked mussels were open. This could indicate death and a possible source of foodborne illness. The distributor claims all muscles should be closed prior to cooking and serving.There was an accumulation of black and brown residue in the soda nozzles.An employee’s liquid cough medication was above a prep table.The bottom shelf of a prep table was lined with foil that was torn and disintegrating.All certified food handler certificates were expired.* No shellstock tags have been kept by the facility.
(Core)
Canadian Bacon – Disposed: 55 °FIce bucket stored prone on top of ice machine.3-compartment sink not sealed to adjoining wall.Accumulation of food residue and debris on nonfood-contact surfaces of can opener.Employee personal items stored comingled with food service items in dry storage.The report shows most violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.
Taqueria Autlan at 2722 50th had 22 violations.
Raw bacon, raw chicken, raw eggs, ready-to-eat sausage and pico de gallo were above the safe cold temperature 41°.Ready-to-eat lingua and cooked sausage did not have a use-by date.Strawberries were molded.Canned were dented. This can cause botulism.There was no soap or paper towels at a hand sink.Wall tiles in the kitchen are not designed for commercial use.There was no certified food manager at the facility.There were no records available for shellstock or for the production of ceviche.
(Core)
Single use articles stored on floor in drive thru kitchen.Single use articles used as scoops and stored in flour.Red substance stored in non original container, not identified with common name of food.Brown substance stored in non original container, not identified with common name of food.White substance stored in non original container, not identified with common name of food.Handwashing signage not available at bar hand sink.The report shows most violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar at 4025 South Loop 289 had 29 violations.
Several sauces were above the safe cold temperature 41°.Lemons were visibly spoiled with a green growth on them.A hand sink was leaking waste water onto the floor.There are no paper towels at a hand sink.The water at a hand sink did not get hot enough.Plates and bowls on a drying rack were still dirty.A spatula was dirty.Tongs were damaged.There was condensation inside the glassware.The sanitizer in the dishwasher was not strong enough.An ice scoop was touching the outside of dirty liquor bottles.Toxic items were not labeled.Batteries with visible signs of leakage were near glassware.The inspector notes, due to the number and the nature of violations management did not show proper food safety knowledge.
(Core)
Wet rag was stored on the prep line outside of a sanitizer bucket.Wet and visibly soiled rag, not in immediate use, was stored outside of a sanitizer bucket on the bar.Vent covers in the walk in cooler were heavily soiled with a buildup of a dark dust.Metal containers, currently drying on drying rack, were stacked wet in a manner that did not allow for proper air drying.Hand sink next to the warewash was fixed to the wall such that it was not easily movable, but not sealed to the adjoining wall.Vent covers in the ice machine area were heavily soiled with a buildup of dust and other debris.Floor fan on the prep line was heavily soiled with a buildup of grease and debris.Stickers, used to date mark food in containers within the facility, were present on the outside, nonfood-contact surface, of cleaned wares.Wet mop, not in immediate use, was stored with the mop head directly in the mop bucket.Employee personal drink was stored on top of a cooler used to store chilled glassware.Container of non-TCS crushed black cookies was labeled for use by 3/24/2026. Container found still present at the bar on 3/26/2026.Floor tiles in the prep line were heavily damaged. Water was pooling in the kitchen due to the damaged tiles.The report shows most violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.
Now to the good news. Here’s a look at this week’s Top Performers:
Blue Bird Coffee (Food truck)Burger King at 2002 50thE & J Smokehouse (Food truck)K&B BBQ & Catering (Food truck)Tagle’s Tangy Lemonade (Food truck)Wingstop at 4409 114th St.
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