San Antonio Restaurants Encounter Health Inspection Issues in September

San Antonio Restaurants Face Troubling Findings in September Health Inspections

Hey, food lovers of San Antonio! September was a mixed bag for our local dining scene when it came to health inspections. While some restaurants shone brightly with perfect scores, others weren’t quite as lucky and found themselves grappling with some not-so-appetizing issues. Let’s dive right into the juicy details!

A Chilling Discovery

First up, let’s talk about Caminos Los Dos Hermanos on Military Drive West. This eatery trudged into the spotlight after inspectors discovered a dead mouse chilling next to an ice machine during an inspection on September 13. Yikes! To make matters worse, flies were buzzing around in the kitchen. The inspection report also noted a worker who took a little too much liberty by dipping a bare finger into a salsa container to check its temperature. Hello, gloves anybody?

Inspection highlights didn’t stop there. Cross-contamination was also a big issue, with raw chicken and beef found thawing together in the same bucket. The folks at Caminos were warned about various unsealed food containers stored directly on the floor and toxic chemicals lurking dangerously close to food items. Sounds like a scene from a horror movie, right?

After discovering a “black and yellow mold-like build-up” inside that problematic ice machine, the inspector ordered a thorough cleaning of the entire restaurant. A re-inspection was scheduled for September 19, but as of now, we’re still waiting for those results.

Super Mercado Poco Loco Falls Short

Next up on the list is Super Mercado Poco Loco, which snagged a score of 71 during a disappointing inspection on September 9. Inspectors found some alarming issues, including a dish cleaning solution that had zero concentration of sanitizer. Cleanliness must be key, right?

But that was just the tip of the iceberg. The establishment was using a crate with “dirty-like substances” to store chips—definitely not what we want when grabbing a snack! Chemical foggers for controlling pests sat dangerously above the produce, which sounds like a recipe for disaster. Notably, all food inside the walk-in fridge lacked preparation or use-by dates, creating quite the safety concern.

Another inspection revealed raw meat stored above non-raw items—a big no-no in the food handling world. Staff were also caught without food handler certifications, which led to another scheduled inspection for September 13. Unfortunately, details about the re-inspection are still under wraps.

A Star on Netflix, But Trouble on San Pedro Avenue

Then we have the famous Teka Molino, which was once featured on a well-known Netflix series. Unfortunately, it scored a lowly 72 during an inspection on September 5. An inspector was not impressed, noting an accumulation of grime behind equipment and muck in the soda machine. Cleaning is a must, folks!

There were also concerns about employees who weren’t using clean gloves while handling food, and that they left used wiping cloths lying around. While the inspector flagged these issues and plumbing problems, Teka Molino was quick to act, stating they corrected the issues immediately and passed a follow-up inspection on September 16. Thank goodness for that!

What Does This Mean for Diners?

For all the enthusiastic eaters out there, it’s essential to keep an eye on the cleanliness and safety ratings of your go-to spots. Health inspections really help shine a light on what’s happening behind the scenes. Our local inspectors work hard to protect diners by ensuring establishments keep their food safe and hygienic. So, remember to check those scores, and don’t hesitate to give the health department a little shout-out for the job they do!

As we wrap up September’s inspection round-up, let’s hope that our restaurants will step up their game in the months ahead—because no one wants to find surprises when they’re just trying to enjoy a good meal!