Coachella Valley restaurant health inspections: Eateries fail over food temps, handwashing
While most Coachella Valley restaurants passed health inspections this week, two eateries were docked several points leading to "B" and "C" grades, according to reports conducted May 17 through 22.
China Wok in Palm Desert received a "C," while WaBa Grill in Indio earned a "B." Neither site had major violations, but they were penalized for improper hand washing techniques, hot and cold food holding temperatures, food separation and storage and more.
Major violations pose an imminent risk to public health and warrant the immediate closure of a food facility or immediate correction, while minor violations do not pose an imminent public health risk, but do warrant correction.
0 major violations, 26 points deducted
China Wok, 77-912 Country Club Drive, Suite 31, Palm Desert (Note: Full inspection report was not available)
Minor violations include: Improper glove use; improper hot and cold food holding temperatures; vermin (not specified); lack of food separation and possible contamination; food storage; equipment and utensils in need of repairs and cleaning; floors, walls and ceiling in need of cleaning; and others
Restaurant earned "C" grade. No information available on a future reinspection date
0 major violations, 20 points deducted
WaBa Grill, 42-250 Jackson St., Suite C101, Indio
Minor violations include: Observed person in charge assist customer at register then put on gloves and start assembling food without washing hands; improper hot and cold food holding temperatures (cooked carrots and broccoli measuring 102-105 degrees in hot holding unit); no sanitizer present inside the kitchen area during active food preparation; men's and women's restrooms don't have hot water that measures 120 degrees; uncovered chicken in cooler; several wet, soiled towels on counter spaces around the kitchen; floors, walls and ceiling need cleaning; all food handler certificates expired, one missing and one unapproved by Riverside County; and others
"B" card posted and a reinspection has been set for May 28
Grade A restaurants
An “A” grade, or a score of 90 to 100 points, means a restaurant passed an inspection and met minimum health standards.
Cathedral City
Desert Thai, 68-718 E. Palm Canyon Drive
DJ's Sports Bar & Grill, 34-331 Date Palm Drive
Homewood Suites by Hilton Cathedral City Palm Springs, 67-711 30th Ave.
Tacos Del Valle, 68-467 E. Palm Canyon Drive (passed reinspection)
Coachella
Wingstop, 83-097 48 Ave., Suite D-2
Desert Hot Springs
Burger King, 66-745 Two Bunch Palm Trail
Elks Lodge, 64-680 Pierson Blvd. (reopened after reinspection)
Papaya's, 13-313 Palm Drive, Suite E
Escapade Tavern, 12-347 Palm Drive
Palm Desert
Fresh Agave Mexican Bar & Grill, 73-325 Highway 111
Palm Springs
Hidden Oasis Bistro, 275 N. El Cielo Road, Suite D404
Tonga Hut, 254 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Chipotle Mexican Grill, 2465 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 1110
Palm Springs Power Baseball Club, 1901 E. Baristo Road
Santorini Gyro, 190 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Rancho Mirage
The Palms Cafe, 69-930 Highway 111, Suite 120
Note: No restaurant inspections were reported for the week of May 17 through 22 in Indian Wells and La Quinta.
This weekly report was compiled using restaurant grading reports from the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, accessible at restaurantgrading.rivcoeh.org/Default.aspx
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Desert, Indio restaurants fail May health inspections