18 Pima County eateries failed county health inspections in November
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Patty Machelor
Reporter
- Updated
Eighteen food service establishments failed Pima County Health Department inspections in November. Sixteen passed follow-up inspections, one is awaiting re-inspection and the status of another is unclear.
Here’s what you need to know:
Nan Tian BBQ Gourmet
Updated
At Nan Tian BBQ Gourmet, a Pima County Health Department inspector saw improper hand-washing, whole ducks thawing in prep sink and not submerged, and heavy buildup on pots and woks.
History: Mixed history since 2015, including one excellent and one good rating as well as a probationary period and a needs improvement rating before being placed on probation Nov. 8 and failing re-inspection Nov. 26.
What the inspector saw: Improper hand-washing, whole ducks thawing in prep sink and not submerged, heavy buildup on pots and woks.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Dec. 6.
Comment: No phone number listed.
Bhaji Inc doing business as Three Points General Store
Updated
History: Good and excellent ratings since 2014 until a needs improvement finding Oct. 23 and a failed re-inspection Nov. 6.
What the inspector saw: Improper drainage of three-compartment sink.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Nov. 15.
Comment: Owner declined to comment.
Bamboo Terrace Restaurant
Updated
History: Good and excellent ratings from 2012 to 2016. Received a needs improvement finding in 2017 and a pass inspection rating before a failed inspection in May. The establishment was placed on probation Nov. 1.
What the inspector saw: Dishes and utensils with food debris, food stored at improper temperatures, food containers not properly marked, grime buildup on the floor.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Nov. 13.
Comment: Did not return a call for comment.
Blue Willow Restaurant
Updated
History: Good and excellent ratings since 2000, was placed on probation Nov. 16.
What the inspector saw: Front gift shop area selling exposed pastries, no easily accessible hand sink in gift shop area, no consumer advisory warning for eggs Benedict, walk-in temperatures needing adjustment.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Nov. 26.
Comment: “We have worked with the health department for over 20 years to maintain good and excellent health ratings,” said Rebecca Ramey, owner of the Blue Willow. “Every item they brought to our attention was remedied that day, including items that were previously approved of but did not fit the new guidelines.”
Casa Valencia
Updated
A Pima County Health Department inspector at Casa Valencia found no paper towels near a hand-washing sink, oysters not labeled properly, no person in charge when inspector arrived, temperature adjustments needed for storage of shrimp and chicken, and fish thawing in a sink in stagnant water.
History: Mostly good or excellent ratings since 2016 before being placed on probation Nov. 26.
What the inspector saw: No paper towels near hand-washing sink, oysters not labeled properly, no person in charge when inspector arrived, temperature adjustments needed for storage of shrimp and chicken, fish thawing in sink in stagnant water.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Dec. 6.
Comment: Manager Jesus Mendoza said they have corrected all of the problems.
Casita Feliz Daycare
Updated
History: Good or excellent ratings since 2007 before receiving a needs improvement rating on Nov. 15 and failing re-inspection Nov. 16.
What the inspector saw: Employee put on gloves to handle food without washing hands first, hand-sink temperature needed adjustment, mashed potato temperatures not high enough.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Nov. 19.
Comment: Owner Jack Floriant said his establishment has a long history of excellent ratings. He said he bought a new hot water heater to replace the old one.
Crossroads Restaurant
Updated
History: Mostly good and a couple of excellent ratings from 2010 to 2014, then failed inspection in 2015, followed by mixed ratings until being placed on probation Nov. 5.
What the inspector saw: Kitchen staff cut raw beef then changed gloves without washing hands, eggs stored near other foods in reach-in cooler, excessive debris on clean dish shelf, hot items on buffet below acceptable temperatures.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Nov. 15.
Comment: A request for comment was not returned by deadline.
El Cisne Restaurant
Updated
The restaurant is located on the northeast corner of North Swan Road and East Sunrise Drive.
History: Mostly good or excellent ratings since 2012 before being placed on probation Nov. 19 and failing re-inspection Nov. 29.
What the inspector saw: Hand-washing sink with no hot water, hand-washing sink in bar being used for purposes other than hand washing, raw meat stored too close to other food, containers of bouillon and garlic being reused to hold other food, food being thawed improperly.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Dec. 4.
Comment: Owner Phil Ferrante said he has been in the restaurant business here for 28 years and has never had anything like this happen before. A blown compressor and problems with a sink created “a perfect storm.” “Everything is fixed and everything is in perfect condition now,” he said.
Jason’s Mexican Food
Updated
2400 N. Pantano Road; food truck at 6401 E. 22nd St.
History: Online history was not available. The restaurant and the food truck were both placed on probation Nov. 13, an imminent health hazard rating on Nov. 14 and a failed re-inspection on Nov. 26.
What the inspector saw: Hot water heater and water pump were being replaced on food truck, so no running water was available, take-out containers on dirty shelves, shelves encrusted with food, steak cooling improperly, food in walk-in not at right temperature, reach-in refrigerator not at right temperature.
Follow-up: The food truck passed re-inspection Nov. 14 and the restaurant passed re-inspection Dec. 5.
Comment: Owner Hector Rodriguez said they took care of all the changes they were required to, including replacing a bent cold water hose.
Kettle Restaurants
Updated
History: Good or excellent ratings from 2006 to 2016, then a needs improvement rating that was addressed in 2017 and again in early 2018 before being placed on probation Nov. 14 and failing re-inspection Nov. 28.
What the inspector saw: Chef washed hands for less than 10 seconds, hand-sink area did not have paper towels, several cold-holding violations.
Follow-up: Failed re-inspection Dec. 10.
Comment: Owner Sam Sadi declined comment.
Lee Lee Oriental Supermarket
Updated
History: Mixed history since 2010, including many good and excellent ratings as well as some probationary periods before being put on probation again Nov. 8.
What the inspector saw: Hand-sink did not have dispensing paper towels, live blue crabs were improperly stored, knife with heavy rust, cherry stone clams being stored in lobster tank, walk-in missing proper door latch.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Nov. 19.
Comment: A request for comment was not returned before deadline.
Mariscos Y Taqueria el Tornado
Updated
History: The mobile food unit has had mixed ratings since March 2018 and was placed on probation Nov. 9.
What the inspector saw: No proof of anyone working being certified as a food protection manager, no procedures for vomit or fecal cleanup, employees’ drinks stored improperly, dishes being washed without measurable sanitizer, beans and onions being held below required temperatures, no hot water available for hand washing.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection on Nov. 21.
Comment: “There were some problems, but when they came back to inspect us, everything was good,” said Rosalinda Serrano. “We had changed everything that they asked us to change.”
Mi Ranchito Carniceria
Updated
History: Five failed ratings since May 2017 as well as two excellent and two good ratings before being placed on probation Nov. 6.
What the inspector saw: Raw eggs stored on top of tamales, raw bacon stored next to creamer, needs consumer advisories on some items added, not storing foods at proper temperatures, needs to improve food labeling.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Nov. 16.
Comment: No phone number listed.
New Asia Chinese Restaurant
Updated
History: Excellent and good ratings before receiving a needs improvement rating Oct. 29, followed by a failed re-inspection Nov. 8.
What the inspector saw: Employee drinks stored improperly, old food debris on surfaces, improper food temperatures, floors dirty, especially under equipment.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Nov. 19.
Comment: Declined comment.
Pho Can Tho
Updated
History: Since June, has failed and then passed two inspections before failing again on Nov. 1 and then failing re-inspection Nov. 15.
What the inspector saw: Cold food storage temperatures were not correct, utensils were not being properly stored.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Nov. 26.
Comment: A request for comment was not returned before deadline.
Rigo’s Mexican Restaurant
Updated
History: Mostly good and some excellent ratings for nearly a decade before being placed on probation Nov. 6.
What the inspector saw: Food not stored at proper temperatures, heavy buildup of debris and spatter on floors, reach-in cooler not functioning properly.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Nov. 15.
Comment: A request for comment was not returned before deadline.
Rincon Tarasco a la Michoacana
Updated
History: Mostly good and some excellent ratings since 2002 with one needs improvement in 2014 before being placed on probation Nov. 9 and failing re-inspection Nov. 26.
What the inspector saw: Employee food stored next to food for customers, shelving storing clean utensils encrusted with food debris, no thermometers available to measure temperatures.
Follow-up: Not available.
Comment: Could not be reached by telephone before deadline.
Union Public House
Updated
History: Good or excellent ratings since 2011 before being placed on probation Nov. 27.
What the inspector saw: Hand-washing sink next to ice machine blocked by trash can, no soap in hand-washing sink in bar area, food not being kept at proper temperatures because refrigerator needed to be replaced.
Follow-up: Passed re-inspection Dec. 7.
Comment: General manager David Serafin said they made corrections and replaced the refrigerator within 72 hours.
Patty Machelor
Reporter
