Unclean kitchen conditions found in several San Antonio restaurants during health inspections.
Recent restaurant inspections in San Antonio uncovered alarming health violations. Eateries such as El Chaparro De Jalisco and Cooper’s Ice House faced serious hygiene concerns, including a live rodent in the kitchen and improper food handling practices. With scores barely passing, patrons may want to reconsider their dining choices amidst growing health safety worries.
San Antonio, a city known for its vibrant culture and delicious food offerings, has recently been shaken by disturbing findings from its Metropolitan Health District’s restaurant inspections conducted in December. Several local eateries were flagged for multiple health code violations, some of which were quite shocking!
One of the most alarming discoveries was made during an inspection at El Chaparro De Jalisco. Inspectors found a live rodent in the kitchen, prompting serious concerns about the establishment’s cleanliness and food safety. El Chaparro received a score of 76, just barely passing, but it’s hard to feel good about dining there with such unsettling issues.
Moreover, inspectors noted that rodent feces were present, alongside dirty walls, floors, and ceiling tiles. The ice machine was also found to be in need of a good scrub! In addition, food at the restaurant wasn’t properly labeled with preparation or use-by dates—a minor detail that can have major consequences.
Another establishment, Cooper’s Ice House, located at 8403 State Highway 151 Ste. 101, scored the lowest of the month with a dismal score of 73. The list of violations here was extensive. From dirty conditions (ice accumulation in the freezer!) to raw chicken sitting in water, it’s no wonder diners might think twice before grabbing a bite there.
The restaurant had unlabelled and stale food items and some even went beyond their use-by dates. There were also hygiene concerns, as the hand-washing sink was devoid of soap or paper towels. It seems this joint needs more than just a sprinkle of cleanliness to get back on track!
Other eateries also faced serious infractions. At Taco Palenque, located at 13719 I-10 W, inspectors cited a dirty walk-in cooler, food stored on the floor, and insufficient cooling at the salsa bar. Customers likely would not be impressed to know that staff members could not provide valid food manager or handler certifications.
Similarly, Adolfo’s Cafe had a score of 76 and revealed a host of unsettling issues, including the presence of rodent droppings and improperly stored food. The situation was no less worrisome when it came to how food was stacked: raw beef on top of raw fish could lead to cross-contamination and serious health risks.
Carlos Martinez, the owner of Adolfo’s Cafe, mentioned that his establishment took immediate action to seal off the exterior in an effort to prevent rodent entry. However, closing the doors in a physical sense is just the tip of the iceberg—cleanliness and proper food handling procedures must remain a priority to ensure the safety of the patrons.
Overall, San Antonio’s restaurant inspections paint a troubling picture of food safety and hygiene within the city. The alarming presence of live rodents and improper food handling practices across several establishments indicates a worrying pattern of non-compliance with health codes. For those eager to dine out, it may be worth keeping a close eye on the latest health inspection scores before pulling up a chair at local restaurants.
As the holiday season approaches and outdoor dining becomes even more popular, let’s all hope that these restaurants take the necessary steps to improve their conditions. After all, food is meant to bring joy, not worry!
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