LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) -A Lubbock restaurant was temporarily shut down following its latest health inspection. Mouse droppings were found throughout the facility, but that’s not the reason it was forced to close.
That’s just one of the stops in this week’s Food for Thought.
La Malinche Tortilla Factory 1105 2nd Pl. was forced to temporarily close its doors after its latest health inspection.
It was cited for 25 violations, but one particular violation prompted the closure.
There was no hot water available throughout the facility. This includes the hand sink and the -compartment sink.Here’s a look at their other priority violations.Packages of gelatin had mouse droppings on them and holes from where the mice had torn into the packages.Packages of wheat sheets used to make chips, on the retail shelf, had holes in the plastic.Plastic bags with dried chili products were stored on a shelf with evidence of mouse droppings.A chip warmer was visibly soiled.Toxic items were not labeled and improperly stored.Personal food items were stored in the reach-in cooler.There were no paper towels at a hand sink.There was a plastic container in a hand sink. Hand sinks are for handwashing only to prevent cross-contamination.The food manager certification expired in October 2025.The person in charge of making food did not have a food handler certification.The inspector notes due to the number and the nature of the violations, food safety knowledge was not demonstrated.
(Core)
Mice droppings found on the east side of the prep area, and in the dry storage area shelves.Two large packages of raw meat are thawing on a prep table at room temperature.Measuring cups stored inside bulk containers of garlic powder, cumin powder, and sugar are stored with their handles not above the food product.Single service paper plates, container lids, and containers are stored on the dry storage shelves uncovered.Aluminum foil is being used to line shelves throughout the prep, and dry storage areas.Retail grocery-type, single-service shopping bags are being used to store raw meats, and corn husks in the reach-in freezer.The back door of the prep area has a large gap on the bottom that allows entry of pests.Prep table shelves, and baking area shelves are visibly soiled.Shelves in the dry storage room are visibly soiled.The men’s restroom floor is missing tile, and covered with unsealed plywood. PIC a repair was made to the plumbing system recently.The men’s restroom wall has a hole that was cut out, and is exposing the insulation.The facility had to be re-inspected before food service was allowed to resume. It has since reopened. The report shows most of the violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.
Taqueria Autlan at 2722 50th had 26 violations.
Here’s a look at their priority violations.
Multiple foods were above the safe cold temperature of 41° including raw oysters, raw eggs, ready-to-eat Barbacoa, tripas, carne asada, carne guisada and rice.Multiple foods were not at least 135°, including cooked vegetables and lingua. Sliced ham did not have a date mark.Carneg guisada and chicken were helped past their use by date.Raw shrimp was stored above ready to eat vegetables.Non-food grade plastic bags were used to store ready to eat rice.An aerosol pesticide not approved for commercial food service was in the facility.A toxic item was not labeled.The backflow prevention device was not installed properly.
(Core)
Container of sanitizing solution stored on prep table.Raw shell oysters stored on floor in WIF.Single use articles stored on floor in auxiliary kitchen hallway.Clean utensils stored wet, not in a self draining position that allows air drying.Single use article used as scoop and stored in flour.Box fan, mounted to ceiling above food preparation areas, covered with an accumulation of dust and dirt.Employee drinks stored above RTE sauce and food in WIC.Employee food stored on prep table.The report shows most of the violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.
Level Night Club at 1928 Buddy Holly Ave. had 15 violations.
Here’s a look at their priority violations.
Debris from a broken ice machine lid was mixed into the ice.Roach bait was on the draining mat of the 3-compartment sink. A chemical spray bottle was on top of the ice machine.There were no test strips available for the sanitizer solution.A bucket and a container were in the hand sink. Hand sinks are for handwashing only.There were no paper towels at a hand sink.A juicer was rusted.A waste pipe underneath the beer trough was leaking water into a bucket on the floor.
(Core)
Rodent droppings were on top of bag-in-box at bar not in use.Dead rodent was in a sink basin at bar not in use.Ice stored in plastic container was stored directly on the floor behind bar.Floor drain underneath 3 compartment sink at bar not in use had trash and debris in the floor drain.Covered waste receptacle not available in women’s restroom.Men’s restroom did not have a handwashing sign provided.The report shows most of the violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.
Rain Cafe at 2708 50th had 14 violations.
Here’s a look at their priority violations.
Multiple items were above the safe cold temperature of 41° including turkey, ham, raw chicken and sliced beef.Sausage was not at least 135°.Beans were held past it use by date.Toxic item was not labeled.The P-trap in a hand sink was disconnected.Sliced ham was in a hand sink. Hand sinks are for handwashing only to prevent cross-contamination.
(Core)
Employee drinks stored on prep table.Clean utensils stored wet, not in a self draining position that allows air drying.The report shows most of the violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.
Cheveland 411 University had 13 violations.
Here’s a look at their priority violations.
All chilled products in a cooler drawer ranged between 48° and 62°. They must be 41° or below.Cooked meat and sauces were stored in a large tubs outside the walk-in cooler to cool. The inspector notes this is not an approved cooling method.Raw bacon- wrapped peppers were stored above, ready to eat tortillas and chicken.An employee put on new gloves when working with raw chicken and raw beef, but did not wash their hands first.The mop sink leaks profusely when the water is on.A hand sink was leaking waste water.A hand sink was blocked.
(Core)A box of frozen food was stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler.
The ice transport bucket was stored inverted on the ice machine, which had an accumulation of dust and debris.The walk-in freezer door is only attached at one hinge, and fell towards the inspector as they opened it. The door is not properly mounted to the walk-in freezer and is a hazard for employees.The inspector notes due to the number and the nature of the violations, managerial control was not demonstrated.
Now to the good news. Here’s a look at this week’s Top Performers:
Jersey Mike’s Subs at 6319 82nd
The Lobby by Nashwell at 1500 Broadway
Ground Zero at 2522 MSF
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