Gnats, old meat, food debris, unfettered beards: Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections
The city of Abilene Environmental Health Division regularly monitors restaurants and food establishments for compliance with state food safety requirements.
Frequent inspections are essential in preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses through contamination and improper handling, storage and sanitation.
Scores for retail food establishments, food stores, mobile food units and school and daycare establishments inspected the week of June 10-16 are listed below.
Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in its most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. A few more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.
Perfect Scores
Walgreens, 5201 Buffalo Gap Road
Beef Jerky Experience, 3812 Buffalo Gap Road
Walmart Fuel Station, 1537 Ambler Ave.
Walmart Deli, 1619 Ambler Ave.
Walmart, 1619 Ambler Ave.
Walmart Grocery, 1650 Hwy. 351
Walmart Deli, 1650 Hwy. 351
Pizza by Design, 3753 Catclaw Drive
The Toasted Traveler - Mobile Food Truck
High to Moderates Scores
Beltway Ministry Center, 2310 South Willis St.: 99
Celso's Mexican Cuisine, 3509 N. First St.: 97
Cordell's, 6410 Buffalo Gap Road, Suite B: 97
United Supermarket Deli, 1095 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 97
Olive Garden, 3210 S. Clack St.: 97
New Beginnings, 5535 Buffalo Gap Road: 97
Chick-Fil-A, 1750 Texas Highway 351: 97
Walmart Supercenter Deli, 4350 Southwest Drive: 97
Taco Bell, 4165 South Danville Drive: 95
Bogies, 241 Cypress St.: 95
Bahama Buck's Truck No. 2 - Mobile, 2519 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 95
Torchy's Tacos, 3765 Catclaw Drive: 94
Chipotle Mexican Grill, 3800 South Clack St.: 94
Schlotzsky's Deli, 4518 South 14th St.: 94
Dairy Queen, 1626 Hwy. 351: 93
United Supermarket & Bakery, 1095 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 93
Red Lobster, 1280 S. Clack St.: 92
United Supermarket Deli, 920 North Willis St.: 91
Last week's inspections: Rodent droppings, bugs, moldy lemons: 15 Abilene restaurants score low
Low Scores and why
Blu Barrel Bar & Grill, 6410 Buffalo Gap Road, Suite A: 89
Priority violation: Mashed potatoes, white gravy and green beans were not properly reheated for hot holding before being put in the warmer. Corrected on site and food was re-heated to required temperature of 165 degrees.
Priority violation: Observed mold-like substance on upper interior of ice machine.
Priority violation: Pan lids stored on clean ware rack showed signs of food debris. Corrected on site and cleaned.
Tubes of raw ground meat being thawed under running water were not completely submerged. Corrected on site and submerged.
Pans were stacked or nested on clean ware rack before items were dry.
Don Luis Cafe, 2801 S. First St.: 89
Priority violation: Guacamole and diced tomatoes held for cold hold storage in flip-top cooler temped at 51 degrees which is considered in the danger zone.
The flip-top cooler at the cook line is considered inadequate to maintain food temperature.
The hand-wash sink in the kitchen had dumped ice and spent lemon in the sink. Hand-wash sinks are to be used for hand-washing only.
Multiple employees in the kitchen were not seen wearing hair restraint devices.
A wet wiping cloth was on a food prep table at the cook line and not in sanitizer solution in-between use.
Observed the establishment reusing sour cream containers and placing other food items in them. This is a violation of multiple state and federal laws for improper food labeling.
The edge of a countertop at the front serving line was seen with exposed wood and determined not smooth and not easily cleanable.
Schlotzsky's Deli, 1018 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 88
Priority violation: Cut avocado in the day cooler was extremely brown. Person in charge voluntarily discarded.
Plastic food bins on the shelf were cracked and chipped. Person in charge agreed to replace the bins.
Observed a gap between the door and the floor sill at the back outer door. Opening was large enough for pests to enter the facility.
Employees with facial hair working with food were not wearing beard restraints.
Soiled wiping cloths were seen on a tabletop near the baking area and not properly stored in sanitizing solution between use.
Observed bread cooling on a rack and cookies on a countertop that were not covered, wrapped or otherwise protected.
A scoop was seen in the flour bin with its handle resting in the food product and was not properly stored.
Observed plastic bins that were stored "wet nested" and were not allowed to air dry before storing. Person in charge had the bins recleaned and sanitized.
Observed damage and dirt build up on the outside of the flour bins at the baking station.
Accumulation of dirt and dust on walls and ceilings in multiple locations around the establishment. Specific examples observed of improper facility cleanliness include stains on the countertop next to the soda fountain, dirt and debris on the floor and stains on the wall near the ice machine.
Hashi Tappan Grill, 3388 Rebecca Lane: 86
Note: Inspector comments were not available to be viewed on inspection portal.
Priority violation: Not in compliance for proper hot holding temperature of 135 degrees for time and temperature controlled food products. Repeat violation.
Priority violation: Not in compliance for food and ice obtained from approved source. Not in compliance for food in good condition, safe and unadulterated or processed for parasite destruction. Repeat violation.
Priority violation: Not in compliance for protection from contamination during food preparation, storage, display and tasting.
Evidence of insect contamination, rodents or other animals. Repeat violation.
Not in compliance of wiping cloths being properly used or stored to prevent food contamination.
Not in compliance for prevention of food contamination through environmental contamination. Repeat violation.
Not in compliance for approved thawing methods to prevent food contamination.
Other violations. Repeat violation. Undetermined as inspection portal does not include full report.
Sharon's BBQ, 2050 Antilley Road: 86
Priority violation: Coleslaw temped at 46 degrees and potato salad at 47 degrees on service line cooler. Corrected on-site and lids were closed for rapid cool down. Proper cold holding temperature is a maximum of 41-45 degrees to prevent spoilage.
Priority violation: Mold-like substance was observed on upper interior of ice machine and on interior baffle.
Priority violation: Raw meat was improperly stored above ready-to-eat salsa and tarter sauce in walk-in cooler.
Priority violation: Observed spray bottle of insect killer on prep table with food and food containers. Corrected on-site and spray bottled was moved.
Hand dry provisions were not available at hand-wash sink in men's bathroom.
Spicy India, 243 West Stamford St.: 85
Priority violation: Chicken curry held in the reach-in cooler for more than 24 hours was not date marked. Chicken curry was prepped on June 10. Inspection was done June 13. Corrected on-site by an employee.
Priority violation: Raw shell eggs were observed cracked in the walk-in cooler, rendering them unsafe to consume. Corrected on-site by an employee.
Priority violation: Improper storage of toxic items. Spray bottles of chemicals were seen stored next to clean plates on the dishrack.
Chipped paint was coming off of the table where the rice cookers are stored. Equipment and utensils were determined not maintained in good repair.
Failure of employees to restrict drinking beverages and using tobacco to areas where food is not exposed and equipment or utensils are not washed. Observed an employee's open-top drink at the ware washing station.
Observed food residue on the nonfood contact surfaces of the handles of the walk-in cooler.
Taco Bueno, 5010 South Hwy. 277: 84
Priority violation: Pico de gallo held cold located in the customer self-serve cooler since 11 a.m. was temped at 47 degrees at 2:20 p.m. Corrected on-site by an employee.
Priority violation: Grilled chicken located in the standing warmer for hot holding since 11 a.m. was held at 115 degrees at 2:30 p.m. Corrected on-site by the manager.
Priority violation: Tortillas were placed on greasy, single-use napkins under the heat lamp.
Priority violation: Establishment had a spray bottle of blue solution not properly labeled. Corrected on-site by the manager.
Failure to wear appropriate hair restraints in an effective manner. A visor that does not cover all the head is not an appropriate hair covering and an additional hairnet is needed.
Wet wiping cloth at the prep table was not stored between uses in a sanitizing bucket.
Bean residue was seen collecting in a corner on the floor of the walk-in cooler.
Observed dust collecting on the fan in the food prep area.
Rojas Mexican Food, 3413 Ambler Ave.: 83
Priority violation: Raw shell eggs held cold since 8 a.m. on the kitchen floor were measured at 68 degrees at 9:40 a.m. Corrected on-site by an employee.
Priority violation: Cooked sausage was held in the reach-in cooler for more than 24 hours without a date mark. Cooked sausage was prepped the previous morning.
Priority violation: Raw beef cheek was stored above onions, a ready-to-eat food, in the dry storage rack. Food products were not properly protected from cross-contamination. Corrected on-site by an employee.
Priority violation: Vegetable slicer was not clean to sight and touch.
Priority violation: Food employees handled and exposed ready-to-eat tortillas with bare hands. The employee washed their hands and put on gloves before handling more customer orders.
Cooked sausage prepared on June 9 and stored in the reach-in cooler lacked a date mark.
The Shed Market, 7925 Buffalo Gap Road: 82
Priority violation: Smoked turkey located in the standing warmer for hot holding since 11 a.m. was temped at 110 degrees at 2:35 p.m. Such hot held foods must be held at a minimum 135 degrees. Corrected on-site by an employee.
Priority violation: Airtight sealed food shall be obtained from food processing plants regulated by the regulatory agency. Observed food labeled as pickles under the name Bubba's Pickles being sold in the establishment.
Priority violation: Open display of cut onions, pickles and BBQ toppings for consumers was not protected from contamination through packaging, food guards, display cases or other effective means. Corrected on-site by an employee.
Priority violation: Food contact surface of the inside lid of the flip-top cooler was not clean to sight and touch.
Can of packaged pickles on display was not labeled according to labeling requirements and did not include a nutritional label.
HACCP Plan — an establishment's approved procedures to handle food safety hazards — was not provided to regulatory authority prior to implementation of reduced oxygen packaging raw beef for sale to customers.
Observed a box of Frito chips being stored less than six inches above the floor in the dry storage area, risking environmental contamination. Corrected on-site by an employee.
Cleaning mop was left on the floor by the mop sink. Mops must be hung upright to air dry.
Sway, 401 Pine St., Suit A: 82
Priority violation: Sliced tomatoes held cold on top of the flip-top cooler since 12 p.m. were held at 50 degrees as of 2:30 p.m. Tomatoes were moved from sitting on top to inside the cooler.
Priority violation: Sliced turkey held in the top part of the flip-top cooler for more than 24 hours was prepared at an unknown time and not date marked.
Priority violation: Equipment, food contact surfaces and utensils were not sanitized in a chemical sanitizing solution for manual or mechanical operation at time of inspection. Observed level of chlorine concentration at zero at the ware washing machine. The three-compartment sink was set up, so employees were asked to wash dishes there.
Not in compliance for posting consumer advisories for food served raw or undercooked or may contain raw or undercooked ingredients. On the menu an asterisk is needed for an item called the Bagel & Lox to notify consumer the cold, smoked salmon ingredient is served raw.
A sanitizing solution test kit for measuring the concentration of sanitizing solution for certain ingredients was not provided.
Hand-washing sink by the dishwasher was not provided with hand drying provisions.
Failure to wear appropriate hair restraints in an effective manner.
VFW Post No. 6873 Kitchen, 1049 Vapor Trail: 82
Priority violation: Sliced ham held in the standing cooler for more than 24 hours was held past the discard date marked June 6. Inspection was done June 14.
Priority violation: Spanish rice held in the walk-in cooler for more than 24 hours was not date marked. Rice was prepped the previous morning.
Priority violation: Whole lemon was moldy and soft in the walk-in cooler rendering it unsafe to consume. The damaged and spoiled lemon was stored next to sound lemons in the cooler. Corrected on-site.
Priority violation: Can opener blade was not clean to sight and touch because leftover food debris was observed.
Hand-washing sink by the dishwasher was not provided with disposable towels.
A fryer scoop was observed sitting on aluminum foil, violating regulations for all food contact surfaces, counters or work surfaces in the establishment to be easily cleanable.
Failure to wear appropriate hair restraints in an effective manner
Physical facilities were deemed not in good repair because a ceiling tile showed signs of water damage in the food prep area.
Taco Bueno, 4117 Buffalo Gap Road: 79
Priority violation: Salsa containers held cold located next to the drive-thru window since 10 a.m. were held at 78 degrees as of 11:10 a.m. Ice was put into the container by the manager to bring temperature down from danger zone.
Priority violation: Hash brown sticks located under the heat lamp at the drive thru for hot holding since 10 a.m. were held at 108 degrees as of 11:15 a.m. Hash brown sticks were voluntarily discarded on-site by the manager.
Priority violation: Tortilla bread was placed on napkins, a nonfood contact surface, while in storage/display.
Priority violation: Food debris was observed on a microwave oven plate and was not clean to sight and touch.
Heat lamps at the drive thru and the dine-in area for hot holding foods was not sufficient to provide proper food temperatures. No heat was coming off of the coils at the time of the inspection. Manager has put in a work order that has not been addressed yet by corporate.
The hand-washing sink by the register was observed being used as a dump sink for ice. Hand-washing sinks are to be used for hand-washing only.
Equipment and utensils are not maintained in good repair because a bean scoop at the braising pan was seen with a crack in it.
Establishment not inspecting the premises for presence of insects, rodents and other pests because multiple gnats were seen during inspection.
Wet wiping cloth by the sanitizer storage rack was not stored between uses in a sanitizing bucket.
Handles of the grill press had visible dust and food residue.
To report a food establishment that is not following safe food-handling practices, call Environmental Health at 325- 437-4590 to initiate a complaint. Be prepared to provide specific details about the name and address of the facility, the date and time the unsafe practice was observed, and the exact practice in question.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections June 10-16
