Food For Thought: 18 violations at one low performer this week

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Two local restaurants were cited for a combined 30 health code violations in the latest round of inspections, with one location recording 18 violations, including improperly stored raw meats and a non-sanitizing dishwasher. Both reports show most violations were corrected at the time of inspection.

Anna’s Mexican Restaurant at 6909 Indiana Ave. had 18 violations cited during its most recent inspection:

• Multiple foods were not held at or below 41 degrees, including raw beef, raw chicken and ready-to-eat Carne guisada
• The dishwasher was not sanitizing
• An employee washed their gloved hands before food prep
• An employee washed their hands for five seconds — hand washing must be no less than 20 seconds
• An employee turned off the faucet with bare hands; a barrier such as a paper towel is required to prevent cross-contamination
• There was no hot water available at a hand sink
• An employee handled ready-to-eat tortillas with bare hands; the facility does not have an approved bare hand contact policy
• A container of milk had an 11-day discard date; open foods must be used within a seven-day period
• Hole in the wall under the three-compartment sink, not maintained in good repair
• No handwashing signage at the hand sink in the drink service area
• Clean utensils stored wet and not in a self-draining position that allows air drying
• Raw whole onions stored on the floor in the dry storage area
• Fly strips with an accumulation of dead insects installed above exposed food
• Fly strips with an accumulation of dead insects throughout the food preparation area

The report shows most violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.

John’s Tech Café at 1524 50th Street had 12 violations:

• Raw eggs were above the cold temperature threshold of 41 degrees
• Ready-to-eat sausage patties were not held at the required minimum of 135 degrees
• Roast beef did not have a date mark
• Raw ground beef was stored above ready-to-eat Carne guisada
• Cans were heavily dented — dented cans can cause botulism
• A toxic item was not labeled
• There was no hot water at a hand sink
• The drain line from a hand sink was leaking and discharging wastewater directly onto the floor
• An employee cell phone was stored on a shelf with clean utensils
• Clean utensils stored wet and not in a self-draining position that allows air drying
• Raw fish stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler

The report shows most violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.

This week’s top performers

Four area restaurants received top marks in this week’s inspections:

• Dion’s, 6410 82nd St.
• Pizza Hut, 7604 82nd St.
• Pizza Hut, 9830 Slide Rd.
• Sonic Drive-In, 10109 Slide Rd.