CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — We begin with this week's lowest score.
Nueces County Health Inspectors found 11 violations at the La Playa Mexican Restaurant at 7118 SPID, and gave them a score of 71.
That's a 2-point improvement for the business from their May 20 score of 69.
La Playa Mexican Café located at 7118 SPID Violations include:
- Refrigerators kept at wrong temperature
- All holes in ceiling above food preps areas need to be sealed
- Toxic items need to be kept away from food
- All wastewater must drain properly
- Provide valid food handlers/managers card
- Replace or repair all refrigerators that are not cooling properly
- Date and label all cooked food stored in refrigerators
- Each cooling unit needs a thermometer
- Clean all shelves and ceiling inside walk-in cooler
- Seal back door
- Replace all corroded counter behind bar
There was work at the restaurant done when we visited.
Bernardo Montoya, who just became manager, agreed to address the violation with the Kitchen Cops, by phone.
"I'm gonna go one-by-one on all those lists," Montoya said. "And I'll try to improve things that are not on the list, but I know that are very important."
Montoya further told us that inspectors told him they'd be back in 10 days to check on the progress being made to address the violations.
We also asked Montoya about what message low scores like this send to customers.
"As a customer, I expect improvements, and I expect to come to this place and be comfortable," he said. "And that's my concern right now."
There are two Perfect Scores tonight.
Congratulations to the Back Porch Bar on Cotter in Port Aransas for keeping it safe and clean.
Same for Scoops Frozen Yogurt at the corner of South Staples and Saratoga.
There are seven businesses on the A list, and two on the B list.
Inspectors found nine violations at Garibaldi's on Staples and gave them an 85.
Casa Vieja Jalisco on SPID had seven violations and a score of 84.
Here is the complete list of this week's restaurants and scores:
Perfect Score
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- Scoopz Frozen Yogurt located at 6418 Staples
- The Back Porch Bar located at 132 Cotter
A-List
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99
- Funtrackers Raceway Café located at 9605 SPID
- Whataburger located at 3220 Gollihar
97
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- Burger King located at 1124 Waldron
96
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- Pho D’Noodle House located at 3403 SPID
94
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- Black Diamond Oyster Bar located at 418 NAS
- Denny’s located at 2931 HWY 77
93
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Aka Sushi Japanese Restaurant located at 415 Water
B-List
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85
Taqueria Garibaldi located at 200 Staples
Violations include:
- Keep condiments at proper temperature
- Store food to prevent contamination
- Do not store raw meat above over ready to eat foods
- Employees need to wash hands when switching tasks
- Date and label all cooked food
- No personal devices allowed on the cook prep line
- Store wiping cloths properly
- Thaw foods properly
- Clean top vent hood
84
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Casa Vieja Jalisco located at 9929 SPID
Violations include:
- Refrigerators kept at wrong temperature
- Shelves in reach-in cooler need to be replaced or repaired
- Toxic items need to be kept away from food prep areas
- Valid food handlers cards needed
- Each cooling unit needs a thermometer
- Clean residue from all ceiling vents
- All food handling employees must wear hair restraints
C-List
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71 (last inspection was May 20, 2021 it then scored a 69)
La Playa Mexican Café located at 7118 SPID
Violations include:
- Refrigerators kept at wrong temperature
- All holes in ceiling above food preps areas need to be sealed
- Toxic items need to be kept away from food
- All wastewater must drain properly
- Provide valid food handlers/managers card
- Replace or repair all refrigerators that are not cooling properly
- Date and label all cooked food stored in refrigerators
- Each cooling unit needs a thermometer
- Clean all shelves and ceiling inside walk-in cooler
- Seal back door
- Replace all corroded counter behind bar
