From Oct. 15 through Oct. 21, Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District inspectors found cheese sauce being heated by fryer oil, unsafe kitchen pest control products and other health violations at restaurants.
Out of 35 businesses inspected, seven scored below a 95, and 16 received perfect scores. During the seven days, Agave Jalisco Mexican Restaurant on Ayers Street scored the lowest with an 83.
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. 15 through Oct. 21:
Oct. 15
Seven businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- Hester's Cafe Lamar Park: 3812 S. Alameda St. (99)
- Hi-Ho Restaurant: 3703 Morgan Ave. (100)
- King's Donuts: 7602 S. Staples St. (100)
- Pirati's Pizzeria & Co.: 1290 FM 43 (100)
- Port A Beer Hut: 905 TX-361 in Port Aransas (100)
The following scored below a 95:
- Dairy Burger: 1502 Airline Road (90)
- Inspectors found equipment being used improperly, fryer oil being used to heat up cheese sauce, a toxic chemical bottle not labeled and employees not wearing hairnets.
- Dairy Burger was last inspected in June and received a 99.
- Taqueria Jalisco No. 12: 3830 S. Staples St. (91)
- Inspectors found an employee not wearing gloves when handling ready-to-eat food, food not dated, food not labeled, employees not wearing beard guards and employees not wearing hairnets.
- Taqueria Jalisco was last inspected in June and received a 92.
Oct. 16
Six businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- Cafe Italia: 4117 S. Staples St. (95)
- Coastal Sips Nutrition: 6062 Holly Road (97)
- Garrett's Barbecue: 6062 Holly Road (100)
- Granny's Hot Tamales: 2033 Airline Road (100)
- Mamako Cafe: 6062 Holly Road (100)
- Pollos Asados La Frontera: 3113 S. Port Ave. (100)
Oct. 19
Six businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- Aloha! Pacific Island Grill: 6702 S. Staples St. (98)
- Church's Texas Chicken: 3140 Gollihar Road (100)
- Island Wellness & Nutrition: 14330 S. Padre Island Drive (100)
- Padre Island Burger Co.: 11878 TX-361 (97)
- Stingers Coffee: 7042 S. Staples St. (100)
The following scored below a 95:
- Taqueria Mi Casita: 1821 Ayers St. (88)
- Inspectors found food being cooled down improperly, employees misusing handwashing sink, no covered trash cans in women's restroom, grease buildup, a dirty ice machine, wet towels not stored in sanitizer solution when not in use and no thermometers in coolers.
- Taqueria Mi Casita was last inspected in July and received a 92.
Oct. 20
Nine businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- Hardknocks Sports Grill: 15401 S. Padre Island Drive (95)
- Island Joes Coffee and Gallery: 14829 S. Padre Island Drive (100)
- Panda Express: 6153 Saratoga Blvd. (100)
- Salty Dolphin Bar: 15201 Windward Drive (97)
- Smokey Rooster Bar & Grill: 6122 Kostoryz Road (96)
- 1983 Mexi-Cafe: 5358 Kostoryz Road (95)
The following scored below a 95:
- Agave Jalisco Mexican Restaurant: 2001 Ayers St. (83)
- Inspectors found food not dated, food not labeled, eggs stored above ready-to-eat food, toxic chemicals stored improperly, employees misusing handwashing sink, no soap at handwashing sink, broken containers, missing lights in kitchen area, outlets and lights not working in storage closet, no covered trash cans in women's restroom, a dirty can opener, plates being used as scoopers, gnats, unsafe kitchen pest control products and employees eating in kitchen prep area.
- Agave Jalisco was last inspected in June and received a 90.
- Nom's Kitchen: 13923 S. Padre Island Drive (90)
- Inspectors found a toxic chemical bottle not labeled, food not dated, food not labeled, a dirty air conditioning vent in kitchen area, dirty ceiling tiles in kitchen area, employees not wearing beard guards, containers stacked on top of each other without covers, flies and employees improperly thawing food.
- Nom's was last inspected in March and received an 86.
- Taqueria La Carreta: 2754 S. Port Ave. (91)
- Inspectors found eggs stored above ready-to-eat food, food not covered, food not dated, food not labeled, side and back doors to kitchen needing to be fixed, a threshold needed on doors to stop pests from entering, dirty vents inside reach-in coolers, broken knives and employees eating in prep area.
- Taqueria La Carreta was last inspected in May and received a 91.
Oct. 21
Seven businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- Domino's Pizza: 15401 S. Padre Island Drive (100)
- La Frutera: 2322 Airline Road (98)
- Oyshi Sushi Southside: 6181 Saratoga Blvd. (100)
- Paul's Seafood Market: 108 S. Alister St. in Port Aransas (99)
- Subway: 4126 Ayers St. (98)
- Subway: 1115 TX-361 in Port Aransas (100)
The following scored below a 95:
- Mi Casita Restaurant: 2033 Airline Road (91)
- Inspectors found an employee preparing a taco with bare hands, food not dated, food not labeled, rags hung from an employee's waist, employees not wearing hairnets, food not covered and gnats.
- Mi Casita was last inspected in May and received a 97.
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: How Dairy Burger, Padre Island Burger Co., more scored in inspections
