From Oct. 8 through Oct. 14, Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District inspectors found caldo being cooled down improperly, mold on a wall and other health violations at restaurants.
Out of more than 30 businesses inspected, six scored below a 95, and 16 received perfect scores. During the seven days, Taqueria La Tapatia No. 2 on Everhart Road scored the lowest with a 75.
The health district describes a food establishment as a place that sells or serves food to the public. These establishments, which can include bars, hotels, apartments, schools and food trucks, must get an annual permit and be inspected by the health district.
Inspections are
based on a demerit system in accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services. The inspection report checks for 47 different violations.
Here's how businesses scored from Oct. 8 through Oct. 14:
Oct. 8
Six businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- Hawaii Poke & Asian Express: 4002 S. Padre Island Drive (100)
- Honey's Drive & Dive: 14401 S. Padre Island Drive (97)
- Morgan Street Seafood Market: 338 44th St. (100)
- Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen: 5009 Greenwood Drive (99)
- Shakas: 5710 S. Alameda St. (100)
- Streat Corner Kitchen: 601 N. Water St. (100)
Oct. 9
Six businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- Club Cheetah: 6425 S. Padre Island Drive (96)
- Eighteen 18 Eat + Drink: 3200 Surfside Blvd. (100)
- Fayth's Snack Bar: 3433 Ayers St. inside Ayers Event Center (100)
- Lotus Indian Cuisine: 3206 Tiger Lane (96)
- Smoothie King: 5017 Saratoga Blvd. (95)
- Whataburger: 4444 E. Causeway Blvd. (100)
Oct. 10
One business was inspected. SK8LAND Family Fun Center, at 10829 Leopard St., scored a 98.
Oct. 12
Six businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- B&J's Pizza: 6335 S. Padre Island Drive (96)
- Church's Texas Chicken: 4901 Greenwood Drive (99)
- Snapka's Drive Inn: 4760 Leopard St. (100)
- Starbucks: 5634 Saratoga Blvd. (100)
The following scored below a 95:
- Taqueria El Mexicano: 5650 Leopard St. (87)
- Inspectors found food not covered in walk-in cooler, chicken and beef stored above vegetables, no soap or paper towels at handwashing sink, buildup in ice machine, food not dated, food not labeled, dirty sugar and salt containers, mold on wall in storage area, bowls being used as scoopers, wet towels not stored in sanitizer solution when not in use and employees not wearing beard guards.
- Taqueria El Mexicano was last inspected in June and received an 89.
- Taqueria La Tapatia No. 2: 5606 Everhart Road (75)
- Inspectors found an employee wiping their hands on an apron, an employee preparing tacos with bare hands, food stored on the ground in walk-in, cooked beef not being held at proper temperature, toxic chemical bottles not labeled, an opened soda bottle stored in case with new unopened soda bottles, food not dated, food not labeled, caldo being cooled down improperly, missing ceiling tiles in kitchen, wet towels not stored in sanitizer solution when not in use, rags hung from an employee's waist and food not covered.
- Taqueria La Tapatia was last inspected in March and received an 87.
Oct. 13
Seven businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- Insomnia Cookies: 7514 S. Padre Island Drive (100)
- Let Them Eat Cake: 4915 Everhart Road (100)
- Subway: 1250 Flour Bluff Drive inside Walmart (99)
- Taqueria Jalisco No. 8: 5813 Weber Road (95)
- Wingstop: 5821 Weber Road (100)
The following scored below a 95:
- HTeaO: 5425 Saratoga Blvd. (92)
- Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature; toxic chemicals not properly identified, stored or used; and food not labeled.
- HTeaO was last inspected in June and received a perfect score.
- Persis Indian Grill & Bar: 4650 Corona Drive (91)
- Inspectors found handwashing sink blocked, food not dated, food not labeled, low pressure at handwashing sink, dirty cooler racks in walk-in, food residue in sink, broken utensils and gnats.
- Persis was last inspected in November 2025 and received a 92.
Oct. 14
Ten businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- Arby's: 4811 S. Staples St. (97)
- Burger King: 4629 S. Staples St. (100)
- Cafe Calypso: 5425 S. Padre Island Drive (96)
- Hemisphere Cafe: 5350 S. Staples St. (97)
- Port A Beer Hut: 905 TX-361 in Port Aransas (100)
- Watering Hole Pub: 5723 Leopard St. (100)
- Winton's Island Candy: 601 S. Alister St. in Port Aransas (100)
- Wok & Dumplings: 6505 Everhart Road (95)
The following scored below a 95:
- Beach Bums: 232 E. Cotter Ave. in Port Aransas (94)
- Inspectors found hand soap not labeled, food not dated, food not labeled and employees using a plastic cup as a scooper.
- Beach Bums was last inspected in February and received a 99.
- El Jalisciense Bar & Grill: 7114 Saratoga Blvd. (93)
- Inspectors found employees handling food with bare hands, food not dated, foot not labeled, dirty food surfaces and employees not wearing hairnets.
- El Jalisciense was last inspected in February and received a 93.
John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Have a story idea? Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Nueces County restaurant inspections for Oct. 8 to Oct. 14
