From Sept. 24 through Sept. 30, Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District inspectors found an air conditioner leaking above a sink, a bad odor in a dining area and other health violations at restaurants.
Out of 30 businesses inspected, eight scored below a 95, and 13 received perfect scores. During the seven days, Bamboo Garden Restaurant on Airline Road scored the lowest with an 84.
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 Sept. 24 through Sept. 30:
Sept. 24
Five businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- Barton St. Pub: 10618 S. Padre Island Drive (100)
- The Donut Palace: 604 N. Alister St. in Port Aransas (100)
- IHOP: 2037 S. Padre Island Drive (100)
- MacDaddy's Family Kitchen: 118 Beach St. in Port Aransas (96)
- The Surfyard: 6355 S. Padre Island Drive (95)
Sept. 25
Four businesses were inspected. The following received perfect scores:
- Janie's Bar: 2833 S. Padre Island Drive inside the Corpus Christi Trade Center (100)
- Little Boat-Net: 6210 Yorktown Blvd. (100)
The following scored below a 95:
- Little Caesars Pizza: 4208 Ayers St. (88)
- Inspectors found no certified food manager present, employees without food handler permits, dirty bread pans, missing light bulbs in kitchen, dirty air conditioning vents, dirty ceiling tiles, employees not wearing hairnets, employees not wearing beard guards and gnats.
- Little Caesars was last inspected in July and received an 85.
- Taiwan Restaurant: 5425 S. Padre Island Drive (87)
- Inspectors found food not separated and protected properly, toxic chemicals not identified and stored properly, food not dated, food not labeled, a bad odor in dining area, knives stored between work stations, an ice scoop stored improperly and an employee with bad personal cleanliness.
- Taiwan Restaurant was last inspected in June and received a 95.
Sept. 28
Two businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- Burger King: 6610 Saratoga Blvd. (96)
The following scored below a 95:
- Bell'Aroma Cafe Southside: 6601 Everhart Road (94)
- Inspectors found no paper towels at handwashing sink, a sticky substance on floor in storage area, food debris on shelves and employees not wearing hairnets.
- Bell'Aroma was last inspected in June and received a perfect score.
Sept. 29
Nine businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- El Sol de Mexico No. 1: 3511 S. Staples St. (99)
- Hermanos Espinoza Restaurant: 5625 Catherine Drive in Robstown (96)
- K&E Fresh Donuts: 3138 S. Padre Island Drive (100)
- Land and Sea Restaurant: 9301 Leopard St. (97)
- Mesquite St. Pizza and Pasta Co.: 617 N. Mesquite St. (100)
- Posuki: 2033 Airline Road (100)
The following scored below a 95:
- La Guera's Kitchen: 3042 S. Padre Island Drive (92)
- Inspectors found food not dated, food not labeled, employees without food handler permits and utensils stored improperly.
- La Guera's was last inspected in September 2025 and received a 99.
- Papa Johns Pizza: 13434 Leopard St. (93)
- Inspectors found an employee not washing their hands after touching their personal cell phone, toxic chemicals stored by pizza boxing station and employees not wearing hairnets.
- Papa Johns was last inspected in October 2025 and received a perfect score.
- Taqueria El Centenario No. 2: 10301 Leopard St. (92)
- Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, food not dated, food not labeled, dirty air conditioning vents, no automatic closing doors in restrooms, dirty shelves and the air conditioner dripping over a sink.
- Taqueria El Centenario was last inspected in March and received a 91.
Sept. 30
Nine businesses were inspected. The following scored a 95 or higher:
- C.O.F.F.E.E.: 5830 McArdle Road (100)
- El Rinconcito Restaurant: 4013 Prescott St. (100)
- Fruit King Produce No. 2: 4702 Ayers St. (100)
- Good-N-Crisp Chicken: 11174 Up River Road (100)
- JaJa Cafe: 5714 McArdle Road (97)
- KFC: 2111 S. Staples St. (98)
- Nauti T's Creations: 14225 S. Padre Island Drive (100)
The following scored below a 95:
- Burger King: 13433 Leopard St. (94)
- Inspectors found employees without food handler permits, food not dated, food not labeled, ice buildup in walk-in freezer and employees not wearing beard guards.
- Burger King was last inspected in February and received a perfect score.
- Bamboo Garden Restaurant: 1220 Airline Road (84)
- Inspectors found raw chicken stored above noodles, toxic chemicals not labeled, no paper towels at handwashing sink, food not dated, food not labeled, no lighting in outside walk-in freezer, a new door sweep needed, dirty fans in reach-in cooler, wet towels not stored in sanitizer solution when not in use, food not covered and flies.
- Bamboo Garden was last inspected in March and received a 92.
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 Sept. 24 to Sept. 30
