2 El Paso County Mexican restaurants cited for multiple health code violations
El Paso health inspectors cited two restaurants for over 30 health violations in February-March. The violations ranged from a manager operating without a license and chemicals stored beside food to an ice machine with black mold residue near the chute.
A score of 70 or above is passing. A score of 60 or below will initiate the closure of the establishment.
An inspection conducted on any given day may not represent the establishment's overall, long-term conditions. Restaurants that fail inspections are given an opportunity to address the violations for reinspection.
Latest scores: El Paso restaurant inspections include Chico's Tacos, Panda Express, Hayashi
Restaurants cited for violations
A & A Grocery and Meat Market location.
El Viejon location.
15 violations, A & A Grocery and Meat Market at 500 W L Rider St.
The following inspection was conducted on Feb. 27, and the restaurant was given a 67 inspection score.
Tortas on the counter at 61 degrees must be 41 degrees. Place in refrigerator.
Date mark cooked meats held cold in the refrigerator for over 24 hours with a discard date.
Label salsas to go with name, ingredients and quantity.
Store raw meats away from food contacts.
Clean cutting boards, microwave and counters.
Store chemicals away from food observed (Windex next to food in the kitchen).
Repair the backed-up hand sink in the kitchen by March 3
Have a food manager-certified person by March 10.
All staff must be food handlers certified.
Provide a thermometer to the upright refrigerator in the kitchen by March 1.
Renew food permit by March 1.
Cannot have fly swatter on premises observed in kitchen.
Store all food 6" above the floor observed in the kitchen.
Clean floors, walls, and ceilings throughout.
Repair broken floor tiles throughout by March 20.
Note: The restaurant was reinspected on Feb. 27 and received an 81 inspection score.
Click here for inspection scores from Feb. 23-29.
18 violations, El Viejon at 937 Main Drive
The following inspection was conducted on March 20, and the restaurant was given a 67 inspection score.
Beans and cheese stored above 41°F in the refrigerator in the kitchen. Note: Time/temperature controlled for safety (TCS) food must be stored at 41°F or below.
Tripas were stored at 104°F on flat grill. Note: TCS food must be stored at 135°F or above.
Ice was stored in an ice machine that had black mold-like residue near the chute and where water was dripping. Note: Ice must be in safe and good condition. Corrected on site: Employees cleaned and sanitized the ice machine and discarded contaminated ice during inspection.
Multiple plates had food-like residue on their food contact surfaces throughout kitchen. Note: Food contact surfaces must be clean to sight and touch.
Employee touched soiled rag to wipe table and went back to food prepping without switching gloves and without washing hands. Note: Hands must be washed and gloves must be switched when contamination events occur.
Toxic chemical stored in unlabeled spray bottle by cashier area. Note: Toxic chemicals must be properly labeled.
Multiple food handlers were not provided. Note: Food handlers must be provided and must be current and valid.
Multiple TCS foods were not properly marked with discard dates. Note: TCS foods must be properly labeled with discard dates.
No paper towels at hand wash sinks. Note: Hand wash sinks must be properly supplied.
Fly swatters stored in kitchen. Note: Pest control devices must be designed to prevent insect fragments or dead pests from falling onto clean dishes and/or food.
Multiple drinks stored above food prep areas or above clean dishes. Employee was not wearing a hair restraint while preparing food. Note: Drinking must be conducted in an area away from food prep and from clean dish storage. Proper hair restraints must be used when prepping food.
Multiple soiled rags left out. Note: Rags must be stored in sanitizing solution in between uses.
Corn meal stored on the floor in back area. Note: Food must be stored at least 6 inches above the floor.
Chile Rellenos and raw beef were thawed at room temperature. Note: Approved thawing methods, such as an ice bath or a refrigerator, must be used to thaw TCS foods.
Refrigerator was at 47 degrees. Note: Cold hold units must be at 41°F or below.
Grease-like residue on hood filters. Note: Non-food contact surfaces must be clean to sight and touch.
The dumpster was left open. Note: Dumpsters must be closed when not in use.
Hole on the wall under kitchen hand wash sink. Note: Surfaces in food prep areas must be smooth and easily cleanable.
Note: The restaurant was reinspected on March 28 and received a 95 inspection score.
Click here for inspection scores from March 15-22.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso County Mexican restaurants cited for health violations