Many manager mistakes: Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections (2024)

Which food establishments did not make the grade last week?

The city of Abilene Environmental Health Division regularly monitors restaurants and food establishments for compliance with state food safety requirements.

Frequent inspections are essential in preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses through contamination and improper handling, storage and sanitation.

Scores for retail food establishments, food stores, mobile food units and school and daycare establishments inspected the week of May 27 through June 2 are listed below.

Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in its most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. A few more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

Perfect Scores

Tea 2 Go - Mobile, 2258 South Treadaway Blvd., Abilene

Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, 1602 East Overland Trail, Abilene

High to Moderates Scores

United Supermarket Bakery, 3301 South 14th St., Abilene: 97

Allsup's, 765 Veterans Drive, Abilene: 97

Tea 2 Go, 3562 Catclaw Drive, Abilene: 97

Allsup's, 2310 Barrow St., Abilene: 95

Hawaii Ramen Noodle and Poke Bowl, 4621 South 14th St., Abilene: 94

Dairy Queen, 5110 US-277, Abilene: 93

The Cab, 1918 Butternut St., Abilene: 91

Allsup's, 3401 North 10th St., Abilene: 91

The Ugly Lime Tequila Bar, 4109 South Danville Drive, Abilene: 91

VFW Post 6873 Canteen, 1049 Vapor Trail, Abilene: 91

Cork & Pig Tavern, 2467 North Judge Ely Blvd., Abilene: 90

Last week's inspections: Dripping grease, car keys and ice machine mold: Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections

Low Scores and why

West Texas Express, 3809 South First St., Abilene: 89

Inspector Notes: Six repeat violations.

• Priority violation: Cappuccino machine nozzles and microwave oven were not clean to sight and touch with evidence of food debris on both pieces of equipment.
• Water under pressure was not provided to all fixtures, equipment and nonfood equipment that are required to use water. Observed no hot water at the three-compartment sink.
• Cold hold mini-fridge unit by the register lacked an integral or permanently affixed temperature measuring device to allow easy viewing.
• A sanitizing solution test kit for measuring concentration of sanitizing solution was not provided.
• No handwashing soap provided at the handwashing sink at the register area and in the women's restroom.
• Establishment not inspecting incoming shipment of food and supplies for presence of insects, rodents and other pests. Observed multiple flies and gnats by the ware washing area.
• Materials for indoor floor, wall and ceiling surfaces are not smooth, durable and easily cleanable where food operations are conducted. Observed rugs in the walk-in cooler.

Taco Casa, 1402 East Overland Trail, Abilene: 88

Inspector Notes: One violation corrected on-site.

• A certified food manager was not on duty at the time of inspection, and a CFM certificate was not posted. Establishment has 14 calendar days to provide proof of certification.
• Person in charge could not provide proof of food safety training for employees and has 30 calendar days to provide proof of employee training.
• Chlorine-based solution in sanitizer buckets and establishment did not have test strips. Corrected on-site as solution in buckets will be changed to another type, and test strips are available for use.
• Observed flies in the dining room.
• Wiping cloths used under a tea brew basket, which may not be used for any other purposes.
• Observed a tub of prepared taco meat in the walk-in cooler not covered, wrapped or otherwise protected.
• Food products seen stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Items must be at least six inches above the ground.
• Clean food bins seen not covered on a shelf, and food contact surface exposed.
• Observed heavy dust buildup on ceiling tiles in the kitchen. Person in charge stated the store is working to have them cleaned.
• Soiled mops in the kitchen area, one in the service sink and one in a bucket, were not allowed to air dry.
• Food permit was not posted. Notifications for most recent inspection report available upon request not posted.

Allsup's, 802 Grape St., Abilene: 87

Inspector notes: Seven repeat violations.

• Priority violation: Improper storage of chemicals. Observed a spray bottle of all-purpose cleaner stored on food prep counter next to the fryer.
• A certified food protection manager was not in the store during this inspection. A CFM must be present at the establishment during all hours of operation as required.
• Person in charge stated she has a food handler certificate but could not provide evidence of having completed the training.
• The hand-wash sink in the back, by the three-compartment sink, was blocked, used for storage of material and not accessible at all times for employee use.
• Employee's beverage cup and bottle of water stored on the food prep counter next to the fryer and cooking utensils.
• Observed powder residues and liquid food stain on the nonfood-contact surface of the cappuccino machine.
• Noticed damaged ceiling tiles in the store. The establishment is not maintained in good repair.
• Observed no employee illness or symptoms reporting-signs or hand-washing signage at the sink. Signage or poster shall be posted and clearly visible to food employees at hand-washing areas notifying employees to report symptoms and diagnosis information about their health as it relates to diseases transmissible through food.

Fun Noodle Bar, 4325 Southwest Drive, Abilene: 84

Inspector notes: Five repeat violations and one violation corrected on-site.

• Priority violation: Observed time and temperature control safety for foods held in a steam warmer temping in the danger zone. Cooked pork, ribs and chicken strips were stored at improper temperatures. Corrected on-site and person in charge voluntarily discarded the food.
• Priority violation: Multiple cooked meats held in the walk-in cooler overnight did not have a date or day to use by or discard marked on product.
• No posting visible for consumer advisories as the establishment served raw fish not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens. No evidence of parasite destruction prior to serving.
• A rice cooker was placed directly in front of hand-wash sink and blocked accessibility. Hand-washing sink in the dish wash area was blocked and not readily accessible due to a food container lid placed in the sink.
• Observed a wet and soiled wiping cloth held on food prep counter, in-between use, and not held in sanitizer solution.
• Improper thawing of time and temperature control safety for foods. Raw meat was seen thawing on a food prep table by the back door and not thawed under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41 degrees or less.
• A black bowl without a handle was seen being used as a food scoop and stored on top of foods causing contamination.
• Observed no employee illness or symptoms reporting signs at the hand-washing sink. A sign or poster shall be posted and clearly visible to food employees at hand-washing areas notifying employees to report symptoms and diagnosis information about their health as it relates to diseases transmissible through food.

Buffet Asia, 3366 John Knox Drive, Abilene: 83

Inspector notes: Two repeat violations.

• Priority violation: An open package of tofu was seen in reach in the cooler not bearing day or date to be used by or discarded. Corrected on-site and voluntarily discarded.
• Priority violation: Observed a can with label missing on can rack. Corrected on-site and voluntarily discarded.
• Priority violation: An accumulation of mold-like substance on upper interior of ice machine in kitchen was observed.
• Water is a rust color and at a low flow at hand-wash sink next to stove. Will reinspect in 10 days.
• Hand-dry provision was not seen at hand-wash sink in rear of kitchen.
• A cracked pan was seen on clean ware rack and was voluntarily discarded.
• Observed two employees preparing food in kitchen not wearing hair restraints and was corrected on-site.
• Pans and cups were stacked and nested before dry on clean ware rack.

University Place, 1250 East North 10th St., Abilene: 83

Inspector notes: Two repeat violations. Internet problems during inspection, written report is attached

• Priority violation: Improper cold holding temperature for time and temperature for food safety foods.
• Priority violation: Food not properly separated and protected to prevent food contamination during food preparation, storage, display and tasting.
• Priority violation: Observed a heavily rim-dented can on the rack with good stock.
• Improper cooking method used or equipment inadequate to maintain product temperature.
• Food and nonfood contact surfaces not clean, properly designed, constructed or used.
• Observed sliced pie pieces in the walk-in freezer not covered, wrapped or otherwise protected, enabling environmental contamination.
• Observed improper usage, storage, drying or handling of utensils, equipment or linens in use or stored.
• Improper storage or use of single-service and single-use utensils.
• Out of compliance for food identification in bulk food or original container labeling.

Alfredo's Mexican Food, 2849 South 14th St., Abilene: 80

Inspector notes: Seven repeat violations and five violations corrected on-site.

• Priority violation: Packets of salsa held cold located in the mini cooler by the drive-thru since 8 a.m. was held at 52 degrees at 10:35 a.m., for less than 4 hours. Ice was added to the packaged salsa to help it cool down more quickly.
• Priority violation: Carne guisada held in the glass cooler for over 24 hours was not date marked. It was prepped on May 26 and inspection was held on May 29.
• Priority violation: Red salsa held in the standing cooler for over 24 hours was held past the discard date marked "5/26/24." Red salsa was voluntarily discarded on-site by the owner.
• Priority violation: Raw sausage was stored above corn tortillas in the walk-in cooler and was not protected from cross-contamination. Corrected on-site by the owner.
• Priority violation: Improper storage of toxic items. Observed hand sanitizer stored next to single use to-go boxes at the counter top. Corrected on-site.
• Equipment and utensils are not maintained in good repair. Observed a tortilla chip bin with cracked corners.
• Observed multiple flies and gnats in the establishment. Premises are not being inspected for presence of insects, rodents and other pests.
• Failure of employees to restrict drinking beverages and using tobacco to areas where food is not exposed and equipment or utensils are not washed. Observed a twist-top water bottle in the food prep area. Employee drinks need to have a lid and a straw to limit hand to mouth contact.
• Wet wiping cloth at the prep counter was not stored between uses in a sanitizing bucket.
• Nonfood contact surfaces of the reach-in cooler were not free of dust, residue and debris. Food debris was seen collecting at the bottom of the unit.

Betty Rose's Little Brisket, 2588 East Lake Road, Abilene: 80

Inspector notes: Five repeat violations.

• Priority violation: Brisket in the walk-in cooler was held longer than six hours not at 41 degrees. Temperature was out of the safe range for an unknown amount of time. Cooked time and temperature control for safety foods shall be cooled: within two hours from 135 degrees to 70 degrees and within a total of six hours from 135 degrees to 41 degrees or less. Person in charge discarded it.
• Priority violation: Potato salad in table top cooler held above 41 degrees for less than four hours. Person in charge moved container to rapidly chill. Raw chicken in a glass door cooler was discarded by person in charge.
• Priority violation: Salt in a bulk container observed with foreign material in the product. Person in charge discarded the item and cleaned the container. Mold-like material was seen on the inside bin lid and inside top of the ice machine. Person in charge is having the machine cleaned.
• Priority violation: Food debris on the cooking surface of a pot on a rack of clean dishes. Person in charge removed the pot to have it recleaned.
• Priority violation: Sanitizer for wiping surfaces was near zero and not at proper sanitization levels.
• Person in charge could not provide proof of certified food manager certificate.
• Observed the facility did not have chemical test strips on hand.
• Employees with facial hair were not wearing beard protectors.
• Multiple items in coolers were not covered, wrapped or otherwise protected. Discussed contamination hazard with person in charge.
• Observed a reach-in cooler with food debris on the floor of the cooler, outer doors and door handles.
• A soiled mop was resting in the utility sink and not hung to dry.
• Heavy dust buildup on the ceiling was seen near the stove top.

To report a food establishment that is not following safe food-handling practices, callEnvironmental Healthat 325- 437-4590 to initiate a complaint. Be prepared to provide specific details about the name and address of the facility, the date and time the unsafe practice was observed, and the exact practice in question.

Inspections for week of May 13: Undated chopped beef, leaking pipes, rodents? Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections

Inspections for week of May 20: Dripping grease, car keys and ice machine mold: Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections