Lacking labels, raw eggs, dead and alive pests: 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 July 8-14 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

Knife & Whisk , 3222 S. 27th St.

Diamond Back Golf Club , 1510 E. Industrial Blvd.

Monks Coffee Shop , 233 Cypress St.

Mai Sushi , 5550 S. Clack St.

High to moderates scores

2 Profs Gourmet Ice Cream , 1158 E.N. 10th St.: 99

Pizza Hut , 24 Hospital Dr.: 99

Aldi , 4765 Southwest Dr.: 99

Niko's Greek Gyro , 3354 Rebecca Lane: 99

Patty's Concession , 3374 Ambler Ave.: 99

Mulligan's Sports Bar Grill & Golf , 1166 Ben Richey Dr.: 98

KFC , 1301 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 98

Food Express-Little Italy (mobile) , 620 B Ambler Ave.: 98

Little Italy Pizza , 620 B Ambler Ave.: 98

Dollar General , 3726 Catclaw Dr.: 98

Chicken Express , 3374 Turner Plaza: 97

Abilene Mini Mart , 1801 Grape St.: 97

Blu Barrel , 2534 S. Treadaway Blvd.: 97

Pichi's Taco (Mobile) , 1325 Elm St.: 97

Buffalo Wild Wings , 1010 E. Overland Trail: 97

Baymont Inn & Suites , 3501 W. Lake Road: 97

Blue Jug , 1829 Industrial Blvd.: 97

Big Lots , 3204 S. Clack St.: 97

Whataburger , 893 E. Highway 80: 96

Chick-Fil-A , 3130 S. Clack St.: 96

Kids on Maple , 2450 Maple St.: 95

Kids of Faith Learning Center , 5501 US Highway 277 South: 95

Mezamiz Coffee House , 4310 Buffalo Gap Road: 95

Buffalo Wild Wings , 4401 Ridgemont Drive: 95

Little Caesars Pizza , 1121 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 94

Dark Horse Dance Hall , 141 Oak St.: 94

DK , 3401 Ambler Ave.: 94

Alfonso Hernandez Bakery , 601 Butternut St.: 92

Dantes Pizza , 1426 Mall of Abilene: 90

Last week's inspections: Rotting potatoes, mold buildup, greasy floors: Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections

Low scores and why

DK , 3299 S. 14th St.: 89

• Priority violation: Coffee dispenser nozzles were not clean to sight and touch.
• Priority violation: Establishment had a spray bottle of clear solution that was not properly labeled by the three-compartment sink.
• A sanitizing solution test kit for measuring cleaning-solution concentration was not provided.
• Hand-washing sink by the three-compartment sink was not provided with disposable towels.
• Physical facilities have not been maintained in good repair. Observed ceiling tiles with water damage near the coffee prep station.

Salvation Army Kitchen , 1726 Butternut St. : 89

• Priority violation: Raw, shelled eggs stored above ready-to-eat onions in walk-in cooler. Corrected on-site and moved to bottom shelf.
• Priority violation: Cleaned pans in store room showed signs of food residue. Corrected on-site and moved to ware wash area for recleaning.
• Violation for not demonstrating knowledge by having two priority violations during inspection.
• A certified food protection manager was not present during inspection.
• Sanitizer test strips were not available during inspection.
• Stack of cleaned plates were stored not covered or inverted. Corrected on-site.

Abilene Hampton Inn , 3917 Ridgemont Dr.: 89

• Priority violation: Evidence of food not protected from cross contamination. Raw bacon was stored above roasted potatoes, a ready-to-eat food, in the fridge.
• Priority violation: Establishment has a spray bottle of blue solution that is not properly labeled.
• A sanitizing solution test kit for measuring the concentration sanitizing solution was not provided.
• The hand-washing sink was observed being blocked by baking sheet pans. Corrected on-site by the employee.
• 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 open top drink of orange juice near the microwave oven.

Cypress Street Station , 158 Cypress St.: 88

• Priority violation: Diced tomatoes prepared previous morning before inspection and stored in the reach-in cooler for more than 24 hours lacked a date mark. Corrected on-site by an employee.
• Priority violation: Establishment has a spray bottle of pink solutions possibly containing toxic materials that are not properly labeled at the bar. Corrected on-site by an employee.
• Observed a green lid with a cracked corner in the reach-in cooler and determined not in good repair.
• Establishment mishandled fish in reduced oxygen packaging during the thawing process. Observed reduced oxygen packaged salmon left in the packing after thawing in the reach-in cooler.
• Nonfood contact surfaces inside the fryer showed signs of grease buildup.

Diamond Convenience Store , 633 S. Leggett Dr.: 87

• Priority violation: Observed mold-like substance on upper interior of ice machine.
• Priority violation: Sanitizer or test strips were not available to clean ice scoop and valves and caps on soda machine.
• Priority violation: Observed driveway sealant near three-compartment sink.
• Violation for not demonstrating knowledge by having priority violations during inspection.

Blue Sky Texas , 3602 Catclaw Dr.: 86

• Priority violation: Temped hot dogs at 47 degrees, hamburgers at 52 degrees and chicken breasts at 47 degrees in day cooler for less than 4 hours. Corrected on-site and moved to walk-in for rapid cool down.
• Priority violation: Observed pans with dried residue in them on clean ware rack.
• Hamburger patties were overfilled past cool line in day cooler. Corrected on-site and moved to walk-in for rapid cool down
• Soap was not available at hand-wash sink in ware wash area. Corrected on-site and provided soap.
• Observed a pan with crack in it stored on clean ware rack.
• A shaker holding a crystalized substance was not labeled for contents above French fry warmer.
• Door was open on dumpster behind establishment.

Little Caesars Pizza , 1200 N. Mockingbird Lane: 85

• Priority violation: Pizza sauce containers held cold on the countertop by the drive-thru was held at 64 degrees since unknown time. Corrected on-site by the manager.
• Priority violation: Canned mushrooms held in the reach-in cooler for more than 24 hours was not date marked.
• Priority violation: Sheet pan trays had dried-on black grease and were not clean to sight and touch.
• Water under pressure was not provided to all fixtures, equipment and nonfood equipment that are required to use water. Observed no hot water under pressure at the mop sink.
• Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, canned mushroom is not clearly marked with date opened and prepped.
• 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 twist top water bottle belonging to an employee in the food prep area.
• Failure to wear appropriate hair restraints in an effective manner.
• Storage container of seasoning at the prep counter is not readily identifiable with common name of food label.

Abuelos International , 4782 S. 14th St.: 83

• Priority violation: Cooked chicken strips held cold located in the flip-top cooler since 12 p.m. was held at 52 degrees at 2 p.m. Corrected on-site by the manager by putting the chicken in the reach-in cooler.
• Priority violation: Tortilla chip was placed on a wet white cloth at the flip-top cooler by the food window.
• Priority violation: Microwave oven by the grill was not clean to sight and touch and showed signs of black residue inside.
• Priority violation: Improper storage of toxic items. Observed a green bucket of cleaner stored next to foil packets and other equipment on the storage rack. Corrected on-site by the manager.
• Equipment and utensils are not maintained in good repair. Observed two chip bins with cracked corners and was corrected on-site.
• Establishment mishandled fish that is in reduced oxygen packaging during the thawing process. Observed reduced oxygen packaging fish not removed from the packaging to thaw at the meat cooler.
• Cutting boards by the prep line had black discoloration marks and are no longer cleanable. The manager ordered new cutting boards and is awaiting arrival.
• The handles on the microwaves had dried on debris and were not free of residue.

Chilis Grill & Bar , 1702 Highway 351: 82

• Priority violation: Observed raw chicken in day cooler next to fryers temping at 48 degrees for less than four hours. Corrected on-site and moved to walk-in for rapid cool down.
• Priority violation: Chicken in warmer was temping at 117 degrees for unknown amount of time and was voluntarily discarded.
• Priority violation: Observed two pans of cooked chicken breast in walk-in cooler without date marks. Corrected on-site.
• Priority violation: Mold-like substance was seen on upper interior of ice machine.
• Priority violation: Food debris and previously used labels were on stacks of pans on clean ware rack. Corrected on-site and re-cleaned pans.
• Observed stacked pans before dry on clean ware rack. Corrected on-site and recleaned.
• Plates and bowls were stored not covered or inverted on clean ware rack in ware wash area.

Lucy's Big Burgers , 3110 S. 27th St.: 82

• Priority violation: Hamburgers in a sliding drawer cooler at the cook line temped 44.5 degrees. Also observed raw chicken at 44 degrees.
• Priority violation: Cracked raw shell eggs were stored in a reach-in cooler risking food contamination.
• Drawer cooler at the cook line was not to capacity to maintain food temperatures.
• The hand-washing sink was being used for other purposes. The sink was being used as a dump sink with signs of cut lemons in basin.
• A reach-in cooler at the cook line had damage to door gasket.
• Observed a 1-inch gap at the bottom of the rear door that may allow the entry of rodents into the establishment.
• The door at the rear of the establishment had no self-closing device.
• Observed a male employee in the dish wash area with facial hair and not wearing a beard guard.
• Multiple wiping cloths were seen on a bottom shelf of a reach-in cooler absorbing moisture. Not in compliance with storage for wiping cloths in use.
• Food was seen stored in an environment that is not clean and dry. A reach-in day cooler lined with deteriorated plastic wrap had food debris on the plastic and at the bottom. Water condensation was seen on the bottom shelf of the cooler being stored with food.
• A reach-in day cooler at the cook line had an accumulation of food and grease residues on the door and in the door cavities. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris
• Observed textured ceiling tiles throughout the kitchen, which violates regulations for floor, wall and ceiling to be made of materials that are smooth, durable and easily cleanable. Replace ceiling tiles throughout the kitchen with restaurant grade tiles.

Bonzai Japanese Steakhouse , 1802 S. Clack St.: 79

• Priority violation: Raw shell eggs held cold on a metal cart were held at 75 degrees since an unknown time. Raw shell eggs were put back into the cooler by an employee.
• Priority violation: Establishment could not provide documentation that food was from an approved source. A can of kimchi belonging to an employee was stored in the reach-in cooler and was not labeled as personal food.
• Priority violation: Food was not protected from cross contamination. Raw fish was stored above mayo containers, a ready-to-eat food, in the reach-in cooler. Corrected on-site by an employee.
• Priority violation: Inside lid of the rice cooker was not clean to sight and touch.
• Cold water was not provided at the back prep room hand-washing sink. Water under pressure was not provided to all fixtures, equipment and nonfood equipment that are required to use water. Corrected on-site by the owner.
• Metal storage racks showed signs of rust on them in the prep area and were determined not in good repair.
• An open sticky fly trap device was located in the food preparation area above the prep tables that could allow dead insects or insect parts to be dropped or blown onto food or food-contact surfaces. Observed the fly trap located above butter in the food prep area.
• 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 open top employee drink in the dry storage area. Corrected on-site by the manager.
• Wet wiping cloth at the three-compartment sink was not stored between uses in a sanitizing bucket.

Galveston Seafood Co. , 818 E. Highway 80: 78

• Priority violation: Multiple items in walk-in cooler holding at or around 47 degrees for an unknown period of time. Product out of temperature was discarded.
• Priority violation: Étouffée reheated to only 145 degrees. Establishment claims 165 degrees will destroy the product and will change procedures to make this dish fresh every day and no longer reheat it.
• Priority violation: Observed pesticides stored inside the facility that were not rated for commercial or restaurant use.
• A container labeled as cod had no preparation or use by dates.
• A large enough gap for pests to enter was seen between the back door and the door frame.
• Dead insects were seen under the booths in the dining room.
• Three live insects were seen over the course of the inspection. Establishment has regular pest treatments and must continue to work on eliminating conditions that provided food or water to pests.
• Wiping cloth was being used as a spoon rest in the kitchen. Person in charge removed the spoon, replaced it with a clean one and removed the wiping cloth from the table.
• Cheese curds were stored in an open, uncovered box. Crab legs in the walk-in freezer were not completely covered or otherwise protected from food contamination.
• Not in compliance for preventing food contamination through approved thawing methods. Tuna was observed in unopened reduced oxygen packaging in the walk-in cooler. Person in charge discarded the product.
• Observed pans stacked or "wet nested," on a rack which did not allow for proper air drying.
• Single-service containers on the shelf near the serving line and on the storage rack were out of their original packaging and not otherwise protected from contamination.
• Observed residue buildup on the outside of the sugar container in the stockroom, a build up of grease residue on the filters over the fryer and debris on the bottom of a container holding clean utensils.
• Litter was not placed properly in a dumpster. Debris was seen on the ground and in a cart at the back of the facility.
• A mop was stored in a bucket and not hung to dry.
• Observed buildup of debris and dirt on the floor in the stockroom.
• Multiple cracked or broken tile was seen throughout the facility as well as damage to the wall near the hand-wash sink.

Little Panda , 1035 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 78

• Priority violation: Multiple items in flip-top day cooler were measured in the temperature danger zone for an unknown period of time. All items were discarded.
• Priority violation: Observed mold along the upper edges of the inside of the ice bin.
• Priority violation: Home-rated insecticide was stored in the back of the establishment.
• Violation of food handler compliance. All employees must have food handlers training within 30 days of hire.
• Multiple items in the walk-in cooler did not bear a preparation date mark.
• Only one hand-wash sink was usable in the establishment. The sink in the dish wash area was accessible whereas there was no hand-wash sink in the food preparation area.
• There was no hand-drying provision in the employee restroom.
• A handle to a reach-in freezer had a broken handle.
• A container of rice in the stockroom and a pan of noodles in the walk-in cooler were not covered, wrapped or otherwise protected.
• Stainless steel bowls were stacked or "wet nested" and not allowed to dry before storing.
• Observed a soiled mop stored in a bucket in the rear of the establishment.

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: Lacking labels, raw eggs, dead and alive pests: Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections