News Summary
Recent health inspections in San Antonio have revealed significant safety violations at several local restaurants. Notable establishments like Guillermo’s, Wok Inn, and Izumi Sushi & Hibachi All You Can Eat scored poorly, raising concerns about food safety and public health. While some eateries have begun addressing their issues, continued vigilance is essential to ensure the well-being of diners in the vibrant food scene of San Antonio.
San Antonio Restaurants Under Scrutiny: January Health Inspections Unveil Safety Violations
San Antonio, known for its vibrant food scene, found itself in a bit of a pickle during the January restaurant inspections conducted by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. While a handful of local eateries scored a perfect 100, many others fell short, prompting concerns about food safety and public health.
Guillermo’s Faces Major Challenges
First on the list of concern is Guillermo’s, located at 618 McCullough Ave., which received the disheartening score of 69 during an inspection on January 13. The eatery, unfortunately, had several red flags raised, including the discovery of live and dead roaches and a dishwasher that was, quite alarmingly, not dispensing sanitizing solution.
Inspectors also noticed the need for substantial cleaning in areas like pizza trays, equipment sides, and storage containers. Cracked equipment and damaged flooring were flagged for immediate repair. The restaurant’s owner acknowledged the age of the establishment and the unique challenges that come with it, noting that they have started immediate cleaning efforts.
Post-treatment reports indicated that there was no major insect infestation, leading to some relief. A follow-up inspection on March 5 revealed no pest activity, although the staff did have to toss multiple food items for failing to meet cold storage safety standards. A cold hold unit was measured at 48 degrees, significantly over the required 41 degrees. The restaurant also lacked proper thermometers, leaving food safety practices questionable.
Additionally, during the inspection, a manager couldn’t produce the necessary food manager or food handler certificates. Following a reinspection on March 10, Guillermo’s saw a slight improvement with a score of 91.
Wok Inn Scrambles to Clean Up
Next on the list is Wok Inn, located at 7430 NW Loop 410 Ste. 101, which received a similar score of 69 on January 3. Inspectors found dirty floors, cabinet shelves, and a contaminated ice machine, all of which posed significant health risks.
Staff members were advised to deep clean the floors to remove food debris and trash, which could harbor pests. Alarmingly, a cleaning solution was found to be lacking the required concentration of sanitizer, and cooked meats were improperly stored next to raw chicken, violating food safety regulations.
Further violations included an expired food license and missing food manager certifications. Managers took swift action to address all violations, although the results of the ordered reinspection have not yet been reported.
Izumi Sushi & Hibachi All You Can Eat’s Troubles
Lastly, Izumi Sushi & Hibachi All You Can Eat, located at 5819 Loop 410 NW Ste. 119, scored 74 during its inspection on January 6, highlighting several issues. Among them were a dirty ice machine and food items stored too close to the floor, as well as improper storage practices for raw and cooked foods, which led to cross-contamination concerns.
A container of crab salad was found to be above the required temperature, and one handwashing sink was not stocked with water, soap, or paper towels, which are essential for maintaining proper hygiene.
The inspector mandated that bulk food be labeled appropriately and prohibited the reuse of single-use containers. Like the other establishments, Izumi also faced violations because of lack of necessary food manager and food handler certifications, despite the manager’s insistence on prior good performance.
Conclusion: A Call for Compliance and Cleanliness
The overall findings from these inspections paint a concerning picture of health and safety violations across various eateries in San Antonio. While many establishments are taking steps to comply with health codes, it’s clear that ongoing vigilance and cleanliness improvements will be key to ensuring the safety of diners in the local community.
As we all love our culinary experiences in San Antonio, let’s hope these eateries can get back on track and bring their scores up for the sake of everyone’s well-being!
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Additional Resources
- Express News: San Antonio Restaurant Inspections
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- KSAT: Live Pests Found in San Antonio Restaurant
- Google Search: San Antonio restaurant pests
- El Paso Times: El Paso Restaurants Score Poorly
- Google Scholar: restaurant health inspections
- KSAT: San Antonio Restaurants Improve After Low Scores
- Encyclopedia Britannica: restaurant health inspections
- El Paso Times: 5 El Paso Restaurants Score Low
- Google News: restaurant health scores
