CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Health inspectors have expanded duties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to making sure restaurants are following the rules they've always had to follow, they must also follow new social distancing rules and others set forth by the governor.
"What needs to be cold? What's allowed to be out? How long is it allowed to be out? What are the proper temperatures for refrigerators? Closing and opening too many times? Where's your thermometer inside your refrigerator? Do they have hot water to wash their hands ?" Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District Health Director Annette Rodriguez said.
The Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District has released its first list of 52 restaurants that have earned the title of "praiseworthy" during the pandemic.
These are restaurants health inspectors say they are the most COVID-19 compliant.
Rodriguez says she has 8 full-time inspectors for 2200 restaurants in Nueces County, and COVID19 has only increased their responsibilities.
"Our role now is, we're coming in to make sure that not everybody's getting COVID-19 from being at this restaurant, and ending up in the hospital."
Rodriguez says she has 8 full-time inspectors for 2200 restaurants in Nueces County, and COVID-19 has only increased their responsibilities.
The Kitchen Cops did some checking. There were 24 inspections done in the first week of August 2020. In the first days of August 2019, there were 26.
"We want to do this right," Rodriguez says. "We know that we probably have another 6 months of all this COVID-19, and we need to be able to do it right if we're going to survive this."
Inspections are conducted randomly, to prevent restaurants from planning ahead.
PERFECT SCORES:
Chick-Fil-A at 4741 SPID
Kuzina Lebanese Grill at 3801 Saratoga
Whipped Up Bakery and Frozen Yogurt Shop at 4101 US Highway 77
A-List
99:
Coffee and More located at 707 Shoreline
My Favorite Muffin located at 320 SPID
Taco Bell located at 1217 Waldron
98:
Burger King located at 4629 Staples
Denny's located at 5165 IH 37
Jia Jia Noodle located at 5714 McArdle
97:
El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant located at 13941 Northwest Blvd
Jack in the Box located at 1238 Waldron
Subway located at 5441 Everhart
96:
Chili's located at 5542 SPID
Coffee Waves located at 10309 SPID
Edible Arrangements located at 5702 Staples
McAlister's Deli located at 5801 Saratoga
Pho D'Noodle House located at 3403 SPID
95:
Little Caesars located at 10529 SPID
93:
Little Caesars located at 3801 Saratoga
92:
Pizza Hut located at 10525 SPID
91:
El Jalisciense Mexican Restaurant located at 7114 Saratoga
B-List
89:
El Gallo de Jalisco located at 10329 SPID
Violations include:
Ceiling in walk-in cooler need to be cleaned
Inside of ice maker need to be cleaned
All kitchen employees must wear a mask
Each refrigeration unit needs thermometer
86:
Googly's Burger, Pizza, Wings & More located at 2033 Airline
Violations include:
Raw meat should not be stored above open mustard container
Onions should be stored six inches off of floor
Store chemical spray bottles properly
Chicken not at correct temperature
Hand washing sink should not be used for anything else
Employees must wear effective hair and beard restraints
Store wiping towels properly
Use scoops with handles
Clean A/C vents in kitchen
86:
Hunan Express located at 10421 SPID
Violations include:
Ceiling in walk-in cooler need to be cleaned
Remove or repair corroded shelves in walk-in cooler
All employees must wear a mask
Toxic items should be kept away from food prep area
Provide valid food manager's card
