San Antonio Restaurants Struggle with Health Inspection Challenges

San Antonio Eateries Face Tough Health Inspection Reality

Oh, San Antonio! We love our local eats, but it seems that some restaurants need a serious wake-up call after recent health inspections revealed some less-than-appealing findings. During November, the city’s health inspectors stumbled upon a few establishments that really missed the mark, scoring below the coveted “A” grade. While some spots shone with perfect scores, others, sadly, left us cringing.

La Perla del Pacifico: A Chilly Situation

Let’s start with La Perla del Pacifico, located at 1105 Bandera Road. This little gem received the lowest score of the month—a mere 75! During an inspection on November 18, inspectors discovered a host of issues. First off, the food permit was out of date, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The inspectors reported problems with food handler certification, a walk-in cooler that wasn’t keeping food cold enough, and worst of all, they found raw meats stored without proper precautions against cross-contamination. On top of that, food labeling was quite shoddy—some items didn’t even have prep or expiration dates!

And if that wasn’t enough to raise eyebrows, packages of candy on the premises lacked manufacturer labels, and a leaking sink was noted. Not to mention a dirty beer cooler—it’s safe to say this place needs a major clean-up crew. We reached out to La Perla del Pacifico for comment, but there was no response.

Pizza Patrón: A Slice of Trouble

Next up is Pizza Patrón at 4622 Commerce St. West, which scored a 77 after its inspection on November 12. Inspectors found what could only be described as “dirty conditions.” Imagine dead insects on a scale and rotten limes making a surprise appearance in your salad. Yikes!

Dirty rags were found mingling right next to clean dishes (talk about hygiene nightmares!), and a tray of wings was deemed so encrusted that it needed immediate cleaning. To make matters worse, some foods were left uncovered, increasing the risk of contamination.

At least the local area marketing manager, Nate Nunez, was ready to own up to the situation, stating they’re “disappointed” in their score but acted quickly to resolve the issues. Here’s hoping their next inspection brings a sparkling clean report!

Sabor de Sanchez: When Hands Aren’t Washed

Last but not least, Sabor de Sanchez on Tezel Road was another restaurant that found itself in the hot seat with a score of 77 from a November 25 inspection. Now, picture this: the inspector reportedly saw no employees washing their hands during their visit. Not cool!

One cook even used—wait for it—a trash can as a makeshift table for preparing food. It’s frankly hard to believe that none of the employees had valid food handler certifications, either. Adding to the list of food safety risks was raw chicken being stored right next to ready-to-drink coffee. Talk about a recipe for disaster!

When reached for comment, Sabor de Sanchez claimed they were victims of a false report, but assured that they’ve taken steps to fix the problems found during the inspection. Here’s hoping they keep things clean moving forward.

The Bottom Line

So, what does all this mean for the lovely people of San Antonio? While many spots are acing their inspections with flying colors, these few establishments missed the mark this time. As diners, it’s crucial to pay attention to inspections and stay informed about where our food is coming from. Let’s keep our restaurant scene thriving—but in the cleanest way possible!