San Antonio Restaurant Faces Reinspection After Pest Violations
San Antonio – A beloved eatery in the heart of the city is back under scrutiny after a recent inspection revealed several concerning health violations. The Blanco Cafe, located at 1720 Blanco Road, was reinspected in September 2024, just about two weeks after inspectors discovered live pests and other unsatisfactory conditions in the kitchen during their previous check.
The initial inspection in August 2024 left many scratching their heads. The restaurant was given an 83 score, marking its worst rating in five years, according to local health authorities. Sylvia Gonzalez, the manager, recounted her surprise, saying, “We were shocked. We were like, ‘What?’ They weren’t ready.”
Inspection Findings
Officials found some downright alarming things during their visit. Among the violations were freshly washed dishes that were resting on the floor, which is never a good sign. To add to the list of red flags, some cooks at the cafe lacked the necessary certification to handle food safely. The most startling find, however, was the sight of five live pests near the refrigerator, a scenario that understandably raised questions about the establishment’s cleanliness.
In light of the findings, a follow-up inspection was desperately needed. As part of our ongoing series, we checked back with Blanco Cafe to see how they had responded to the concerns raised.
Positive Changes Made
When we visited, Gonzalez was eager to show the steps they took to rectify the situation. She presented a receipt confirming that pest control services were called in the very next day after the inspection. Furthermore, she mentioned that necessary food handler certifications had been updated, and a new dish cart was on the premises to prevent any recurrence of the sanitary issues noted earlier.
“We did everything we had to do,” Gonzalez emphasized. “Everything we did on that same day.” But the lingering question remained: how reassured could customers feel moving forward?
Addressing Customer Concerns
When asked what she would say to customers who might feel nervous about coming back, Gonzalez maintained a confident stance. “If they asked me, I’ll tell them, you know, it’s nothing bad,” she replied. But when confronted about the pests found within the establishment, she clarified, “There were sticky traps with dead pests,” pointing out that they were indeed outside the restaurant, not inside.
This scenario isn’t exclusive to Blanco Cafe. Another nearby business, a convenience store at 3703 Blanco Road, also faced a reinspected situation. Inspectors found two live pests — one crawling on the ice machine and another disturbing the sanitized area of a sink. Additionally, seven droppings were discovered inside cabinets near the soda machine, which is enough to send any cleanliness-conscious customer into a state of unease.
More Violations Reported
Health inspection scores can be alarming, especially when they fall below the threshold of A (100-90), which is considered very good to acceptable. Restaurants slipping into the B (89-80) or C (79 or lower) categories may require immediate attention and corrective action, as these results greatly influence customer trust and dining choices.
As the ongoing concern of health safety in restaurants continues, it’s essential for both owners and patrons to remain vigilant. With the right steps being taken, hopefully, Blanco Cafe and other establishments can work their way back to earning a score that reflects their dedication to cleanliness and customer satisfaction.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor health inspections in your favorite local eateries.
