Cockroach, moldy food, raw chicken mishandling among violations at 2 El

El Paso health inspectors cited three restaurants for over 50 health violations from Oct. 28-Nov. 8. The most serious violations included food handlers failing to wash hands before switching tasks, raw chicken stored above raw fish in a refrigerator, chicken wings held at unsafe temperatures, an unlabeled spray bottle with toxic substances near sugar dispensers, and the discovery of a dead cockroach and live flies in food prep areas.

A score of 70 or above is passing. A score of 60 or below will initiate the closure of the establishment.

An inspection conducted on any given day may not represent the establishment’s overall, long-term conditions. Restaurants that fail inspections are given an opportunity to address the violations for reinspection.

Table of Contents

Restaurants cited for violations

El Atoron location.

The Basil Garden location

Sunny’s China Express location

22 violations, El Atoron at 8825 North Loop Drive

The following inspection was conducted on Nov. 5 and the restaurant was given a 62 inspection score.

Health Inspection Report Violations

Raw whole eggs were stored at room temperature (surface temperature: 62°F).
Gordita was in contact with a dirty rag on a cutting board.
Gordita machine and metal container had accumulated residue.
Employees did not wash hands when switching tasks.
Employee handled gordita with bare hands.
Unlabeled spray bottle with toxic substance near sugar dispensers.
Powdered soap stored improperly near food items.
No Food Protection Manager Certificate holder present during inspection.
Employee washed hands in a three-compartment sink.
Food license expired since 07/07/2024.
Scoop found in handwashing sink.
Spatula with burnt or missing handles.
Knife with a burnt handle.
Torn seal on the back exit door. Note: Doors and windows leading outside must be sealed to prevent pests.
Dirty rags found on prep tables and cutting boards.
Sanitizing bucket stored on the floor.
Box of chiles and onions stored directly on the floor.
Bags of guisados thawed at room temperature on a prep table.
Unlabeled large powdered food containers in storage.
Missing lightbulb in hood system.
Missing ceiling tiles in the men’s restroom.
Three-compartment sink leaking water.

Note: The restaurant was reinspected on Nov. 8 and received a 94 inspection score.

16 violations, The Basil Garden (EPCC Del Paso campus) 10700 Gateway Blvd.

The following inspection was conducted on Oct. 31 and the restaurant was given a 68 inspection score.

Health Inspection Report Violations

Cooked ready-to-eat foods held refrigerated for over 24 hours without date marks (cut cheese, pre-sliced cheesecake, cooked meat).
Ice scoop handle touching ice.
Raw burger patties stored above ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables in the freezer.
Microwave, cutting boards, prep tables, counters, and can opener were dirty.
No soap or towels in one handwashing sink, preventing proper handwashing by food handlers.
Certified Food Protection Manager was not present during the inspection or the previous inspection.
Workers do not have food handler certifications.
Beef advisory signage not posted.
Non-working reach-in refrigerator used for storage.
Expired health permit (expired 8/2024).
One handwashing sink missing soap and towels.
Food handlers were not wearing hair restraints.
Area under steam table contained old, stuck-on food.
Floors, walls, and ceilings between stove and fryers were dirty, with grease, old food particles, and sticky residue.
Missing baseboards, holes, and crevices in floors, walls, and ceiling.
Harborage conditions caused by non-working refrigerators used for storage and excessive boxes throughout.

Note: The restaurant was reinspected on Oct. 31 and received an 86 inspection score.

17 violations, Sunny’s China Express 8820 North Loop Drive

The following inspection was conducted on Oct. 28 and the restaurant was given a 69 inspection score.

Health Inspection Report Violations

Chicken wings at 70°F in the cooking area, orange chicken at 121°F in the hot buffet line, and cooked shrimp at 71°F in the sushi bar. Note: Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items must be maintained at 135°F or above.
Jalapeño with mold-like substance in the walk-in refrigerator.
Raw eggs stored above cooked chop suey; raw chicken stored above raw fish in the walk-in refrigerator.
Multiple utensils, plastic lids, and knives with residue on shelves, in the walk-in refrigerator, and on a magnetic wall rack.
Three heavily dented cans (mandarin, ketchup, pineapple) on dry storage shelves.
Employee touched cooked chicken wings with bare hands.
Plastic jug in a handwashing sink next to the rice cooker.
Burnt and cracked containers and lids, chipped serving plates, and a pot with a burnt handle.
Dead cockroach in the water heater room and live flies in the sushi prep area.
Employee wearing a bracelet while prepping food and another with long facial hair without a beard guard.
Multiple unattended soiled wiping cloths in the cooking area.
Uncovered cabbage and food items stored below dirty refrigerator shelves; open cornstarch container under a glue trap; dusty fan blowing toward cooking area.
Metal food containers with water residue stacked on shelves; scoop handle touching food in the reach-in refrigerator.
Unlabeled liquid and powdered food containers in the cooking and buffet areas.
Residue inside the microwave and on shelves of walk-in refrigerators and freezers; dusty fan in the cooking area.
Dusty kitchen ceiling vents.
Blue splatter on walk-in refrigerator walls and personal care items (toothbrush, toothpaste) near the microwave.

Note: The restaurant was reinspected on Nov. 7 and received an 87 inspection score.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Cockroach, mold, raw chicken mishandling found at El Paso restaurants

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