All but two of the latest restaurants visited in the Coachella Valley passed their Riverside County health inspections this week, according to reports.
Both Palm Desert's Oceana restaurant and Coachella's Tacos El Viejon received failing "C" grades due to several violations, including improper handwashing procedures and thawing of packaged fish that were observed at both restaurants.
Here are the restaurants that were inspected in the Coachella Valley Sept. 4-11:
'C' grades
Oceana, 77932 Country Club Drive, Suite 24, Palm Desert
- Inspection conducted Sept. 9
- Major Violations: The inspector observed a food handling employee in the kitchen wash and dry their hands while they had gloves on. An employee was also seen wiping their gloved hands on their pants while at the cook line. An employee on the cookline was seen improperly washing a knife by dipping it in a sanitizer and then wiping it with "the reusable cloth from sanitizer bucket." Packaged raw tuna steaks and Branzino steaks were seen thawing in storage (such fish is supposed to be removed from packaging before thawing).
- Minor Violations: A handwashing sink in the employee restroom was observed to not have warm water; several containers of raw beef or fish were seen stored above cooked or ready-to-eat food; a large bulk bag of "Chilimona" was seen stored in the employee restroom; and others. (The report didn't detail what "Chilimona" is.)
- A follow-up inspection has been scheduled for Sept. 16.
Tacos El Viejon, 51697 Harrison Street in Coachella
- Inspection conducted on Sept. 8.
- Major Violations: A cook stated they shook their hands to air dry them after washing, instead of properly drying. Three packages of raw fish were observed thawing still in their packaging.
- Minor Violations: The food manager card was missing (a repeat violation), paper towels were not supplied at some sinks; gaps were seen in the edges of a back door; food items, including chips and pico de gallo, being stored uncovered; and others.
- A reinspection was scheduled for Sept. 15.
'A' grades
An “A” grade, or a score of 90 to 100 points, means a restaurant passed an inspection and met minimum health standards.
Cathedral City
- Arco AM/PM, 31350 Bob Hope Drive
- Five03 Papusas, 69185 Ramon Road
- John's Outpost Market, 68171 Ramon Road
- Juan Pollo, 69160 Ramon Road
- McDonald's, 31545 Date Palm Drive
- McDonald's, 31250 Bob Hope Drive
- Panda Express, 68900 Ramon Road
Coachella
- Arco AM/PM, 48055 Grapefruit Boulevard
- Birreria Jalisco, 1605 6th St.
- Mariscoco's Culiacan, 51679 Harrison Street
- Perez Market 1, 52669 Harrison Street Suite 208
Desert Hot Springs
- Del Taco, 14290 Palm Drive
- Dominos Pizza and G & M Oil Co., 13900 Palm Drive
Indian Wells
- Indian Wells Golf Resort and Fairway Grill, 44500 Indian Wells Lane
Indio
- Carl's Jr, 81770 Highway 111
- Days Inn, 43505 Monroe Street
- Del Taco, 42280 Jefferson Street
- FIND Food Bank, 83775 Citrus Avenue
- Indio Middle School, 81995 Miles Avenue
- Kennedy Elementary School, 45100 Clinton Street
- Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School, 44640 Clinton Street
- Mario's Italian Cafe, 81939 Highway 111
- Palm Academy, 81846 Avenue 46
- Starbucks, 42290 Jefferson Street
La
Quinta
- Stater Bros. Markets, 78630 Highway 111
- Marshalls, 79395 Highway 111
- Pacifica Cliffhouse, 78250 Highway 111
- Stater Bros. Market (including bakery and deli), 7860 Highway 111
Palm Desert
- 7-Eleven, 73800 Highway 111
- Albertsons (including Ace Sushi), 74590 Highway 111
- Bighorn Golf Club (including The Pour Restaurant and Bar), 255 Palowet Drive
- Canyon Steak House, 312 Canyon Drive
- Carniceria Atoyac, 73850 Highway 111 Suite E
- Ronald Reagan Elementary School, 39800 Liberty Drive
- SubKing, 310 Highway 111 Suite A
- Taqueria El Sinaloense, 73850 Highway 111
- The Vault @ Bighorn, 182 Metate Place
- Victor's Mexican Food, 74600 Highway 111 Suite F
Palm Springs
- Ace Hotel and Swim Club, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive
- Fig Leafe Bakery, 695 S. Calle Petunia
- Hidden Oasis Bistro, 275 N. El Cielo Road
- Jack in the Box, 694 S. Palm Canyon Drive
- Johnny Costa's Ristorante, 440 S. Palm Canyon Drive
- Palm Canyon Swim & Social and Palm Springs Fan Club, 1551 N. Palm Canyon Drive
- Rooster and the Pig, 356 S. Indian Canyon Drive
- Santorini Gyro, 1717 E. Vista Chino Suite A8
- Villa Royale, 1620 Indian Trail
- Wholy Smoke BBQ, 275 N. El Cielo Road #D404
Rancho Mirage
- Las Casuelas Nuevas, 70050 Highway 11
- Maracas, 72775 Dinah Shore Drive Suite 103
- Rehabilitation Hospital of Southern California, 70077 Ramon Road
Paul Albani-Burgio covers growth, development and business in the Coachella Valley. Email him at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 2 restaurants fail inspections for flawed handwashing, seafood thawing
