Six local eateries failed health inspections in December, and four passed follow-up inspections. Here’s what you need to know:
El Chipilon
Food truck
- History: Opened last year.
- What the inspector saw: The food truck was rated “needs improvement” on Nov. 26 because foods were kept at the wrong temperatures and there was no water for the cook to wash his or her hands. The truck agreed to close because of the water problem. When the inspector returned on Dec. 5, the truck failed the inspection because foods were kept at the wrong temperatures and there was no soap for handwashing.
- Follow-up: Passed Jan. 7.
- Response: Co-owner
- Sarah Contrera
- s said problems have been corrected.
East Coast Super Subs
187 N. Park Ave.
- History: Rated good or excellent for 10 years.
- What the inspector saw: Seven critical violations on Dec. 11, including foods kept at the wrong temperatures, an employee who washed his hands too quickly, and dirty cooking tools and shelves.
- Follow-up: Passed Dec. 22.
- Response: Owner
- Keith McNesby
- said he used the inspection to “make a great place that much better” and corrected all the problems before the inspector returned.
Kelly’s Cajun Grill
Tucson Mall food court, 4500 N. Oracle Road
- History: Previously failed an inspection in 2011. Rated good or excellent since.
- What the inspector saw: The restaurant was rated “needs improvement” on Dec. 3, because of a cockroach problem in the kitchen. When the inspector returned on Dec. 15, the inspector saw cockroaches and the restaurant failed the inspection.
- Follow-up: No additional follow-up inspection was recorded in the health department database.
- Response: An owner or manager could not be reached for comment. The phone was disconnected. Mall management said the restaurant is closed for renovations.
Mandarin Buffet
5005 S. Campbell Ave.
- History: Previously failed an inspection in July.
- What the inspector saw: Six critical violations on Dec. 29 including foods kept at the wrong temperatures and a “mold-like substance” in the ice machine.
- Follow-up: A follow-up inspection is pending.
- Response: No one answered the phone at the restaurant.
Sushi Garden at Foothills Mall
7401 N. La Cholla Blvd.
- History: Rated good or excellent for seven years.
- What the inspector saw: Seven critical violations on Dec. 1, including a worker who wiped her nose and then handled the buffet utensils, a refrigerator leaking fluid onto food, and foods kept at the wrong temperatures.
- Follow-up: Passed Dec. 11.
- Response: The restaurant addressed the problems before the re-inspection, said owner
- Chun Kim
- .
Whataburro
Food truck
- History: Opened last year.
- What the inspector saw: The food truck was rated “needs improvement” on Dec. 1, because of a broken refrigerator. When the inspector returned on Dec. 3, the truck failed because the refrigerator still wasn’t working.
- Follow-up: Passed Dec. 4.
- Response: Owner
- Diego Valencia
- said, “We had a second inspection … and it has been fixed.”
