Lubbock's Latest Restaurant Health Inspections Mar. 1-7

LUBBOCK, TX — A chain restaurant and a local ramen and sushi spot in the Hub City received low scores this week, while four other restaurants were noted as needing improvement. Meanwhile, 17 restaurants earned top performance scores.

Top performers have scores considered 90 and above, while adequate performers need improvement and score between 80 and 89. Low performers have scores of 79 and below.

Below is the list of performers for the week of March 1 through 7:

Low Performers:

Aspen Creek Grill at 3012 W Loop 289 Acc Road
Score: 76
Violations: 18

• Sliced tomatoes and pico de gallo, stored in top compartment of a reach-in cooler in the cookline across from grill, were measured at a temperature above 41°F. Sliced tomatoes were measured at 52°F and pico de gallo was measured at 53°F. Items were placed in cooler less that 4 hours prior to inspection.
• A molded lemon was stored in a box with other lemons in the beer walk-in cooler.
• Clean tongs, stored hanging with other clean utensils above back prep table, had sticker residue on the food-contact surface.
• Hot water sanitizing dishwasher was unable to reach the utensil surface temperature of 160°F.
• 3 cans with heavy rim dents were stored on a can rack with other in-use cans.
• Reach-in cooler, located in the cookline across from grill, was unable to maintain a temperature of 41°F or less, evidenced by cold-held TCS products stored in the unit. Sliced tomatoes were measured at 52°F and pico de gallo was measured at 53°F.
• Hand sink, located at the north end of the cookline, was blocked by a trashcan.
• Reach-in cooler, located in the expo area, has a protective film on the side of the equipment that has peeled and collected food debris.
• Wet rag, not in immediate use, was stored on the back prep table.
• Sanitizer bucket was stored directly on the floor at the south end of the cookline.
• Bulk containers of croutons, bread crumbs, salt, sugar, and seasoning, were stored in the dry storage area without protection from environmental contamination.
• Baking sheets and plastic wares were stored wet on a rack above back prep table.
• Ice bucket, hanging on the wall next to ice machine, was stored in a position not protected from environmental contamination.
• Container of sugar, located next to south drink station in the expo area, had a scoop with its handle touching the food.
• Single-service container was stored in a container of ranch dressing in a reach-in cooler on the cookline.
• Container of a white granular powder, next to south drink station in the expo area, did not have a label to identify the product.
• Bulk containers of white powder, two white granular substances, and a tan substance, stored in the dry storage area, were not identified with their common names.
• Mop sink is damaged with holes in the base.

O’Hana Ramen and Sushi Bar at 5214 98th Street, Suite 201
Score: 78
Violations: 17

• Raw shell eggs stored on prep cart in cook area at 74°F.
• Raw shrimp being thawed in container in 3-compartment sink contaminated with soap.
• Knife stored with blade between the prep cooler and prep table with blade in contact with accumulation of food residue and debris between the two pieces of equipment.
• Employee washed gloved hands in hand wash sink when changing tasks.
• Food employee performed a 10 second hand wash.
• Sushi rice held using time as a control did not have the approved log sheets in use. PIC stated the rice had been prepared 3 hours prior to the inspection.
• Single-use bowl. stainless steel scrubber, and pot lid stored in back hand wash sink.
• Single-service items, cups, and bowls stored around front hand wash station.
• Wet in-use cloths for wiping stored on prep are at sushi bar.
• Wet in-use cloths for wiping stored on prep table between uses.
• Raw shrimp thawing in standing water with ice in a container in 3-compartment sink.
• In-use utensils stored in standing water that is at 74°F.
• Service wares wet stacked on storage shelf next to mechanical dish washer. Water on service wares has a chlorine concentration less than 10ppm.
• A single-use bowl used as a scoop stored in the sugar in the bulk sugar container.
• Accumulation of liquid from raw chicken and other debris on the nonfood-contact surface of the bulk sugar container lid under prep table. Contamination of sugar was not observed.
• Employee personal coats stored on dry storage rack on and above bags of rice.
• Employee personal drink stored on prep table.

Adequate Performers:

Picantes at 3814 34th Street
Score: 81
Violations: 14

• Horchata drink prepared less than 4 hours before time of inspection measured at 45°F in a reach-in cooler at front of restaurant.
• Raw bacon stored on top shelf above various ready-to-eat items.
• Sanitizer bucket used for front-of-house operations measured over 100ppm for chlorine sanitizer.
• A chemical sprayer identified as degreaser and a re-purposed bottle of window cleaner were not labeled with common names of the material.
• Wet cloths stored outside of solution between uses.
• Cut potatoes in a pan stored on floor beneath shelf.
• Multiple food containers were left uncovered and susceptible to contamination in the walk-in cooler.
• Knife with severely broken tip found on knife rack.
• Bulk containers of salt, sugar, and flour had bowls used as scoops in the product.
• Ice scoop stored with handle in the product.
• Chicharrons stored in the freezer were in a reused dried basil container.
• Bulk containers containing sugar, flour, and cooking oil were not labeled.
• PIC was unable to provide food handler certificates at time of inspection.
• Black residue found on top panel inside ice machine.

Hot and Spicy Cajun Seafood at 5004 Frankford Avenue, Suite 100
Score: 82
Violations: 12

• Sausage, currently being cut, was in direct contact with the prep table. PIC stated that prep table is cleaned before-use with an all purpose cleaner not approved for food contact surfaces.
• Spray bottle containing a yellow liquid was not labeled to identify the contents.
• Faucet on mop sink has y-splitter with shut off valves installed after the AVB.
• 3 compartment sink at the bar has a waste pipe that terminates inside the floor sink below the flood level rim.
• No chlorine testing strips were available in the facility for chlorine sanitizer used in the three compartment sink.
• Fry basket in current use at fryer had a damaged protective coating on the handle that was peeling.
• Bulk storage bucket containing food was stored directly on the floor in the walk in cooler. Walk in cooler was at maximum capacity for available storage.
• Plastic cups used for drinks at the bar were stored stacked inside one another wet in a manner that does not allow for a proper air dry before use.
• Single service plastic bowl containers are used at reach in prep cooler table to scoop and measure ingredients and are washed and re-used daily.
• Floor drain by ice machine and hand sink at the drive through window has heavy visible accumulation of slimy dark residue outside of the floor drain and inside the floor drain.
• Employee personal clothing was stored in the dry storage above food items.
• Three employee personal drinks stored on shelving above condiment and rolled table ware storage. Drinks did not appear to be leaking or have contaminated food or wares.

Buffalo Wild Wings at 8212 University Avenue
Score: 84
Violations: 21

• Packaged raw steak stored above package of ready-to-eat tortilla chips and packaged raw bacon stored above packaged ready-to-eat pretzels located in walk-in cooler.
• Two knives, not in-use, soiled with food residue and stored on south clean storage knife holder.
• Metal lid, soiled with food residue, stored on clean wares rack.
• Box of gloves stored directly on blade of knife located on south prep table.
• Employee used bare hand to turn off faucet after completing a proper hand wash located at south hand washing sink.
• Used sponge stored with clean plastic containers on the drying rack above three-compartment sink.
• Blade tip missing on knife stored on knife holder located above prep sink.
• Bucket of pickles stored on floor of walk-in cooler.
• Single-use plastic containers and single-use plastic lids stored inside container that is soiled with a residue.
• Plastic lids stored on floor located next to office.
• Container for ice scoop soiled with a white residue on the bottom interior surface.
• Metal pans, located on service line, stacked wet.
• Single-use plastic container, located in south reach-in cooler, used to dispense guacamole.
• Wall, located by south hand washing sink, soiled with food residue.
• Table, floor, and wall, located around beverage dispensing machine, soiled with an accumulation of brown residue.
• Interior surfaces of doors and top of mechanical dishwasher soiled with a brown debris.
• Multiple containers with sticker residue on non food-contact surfaces stored on clean wares racks.
• Personal lidded drink stored on top of mechanical dishwasher.
• Gap located on bottom of front doors.
• Three-compartment sink and prep sink are not sealed to their adjoining wall properly.
• Floor of reach-in freezer damaged and is peeling off the ground. PIC stated they have a work order for damaged floor.

Salata Salad Kitchen at 7530 82nd Street, Suite 100
Score: 84
Violations: 11

• Steak and Shrimp in cold hold table measured above the safe temperature of 41°F. PIC stated steak and shrimp were removed from walk in cooler and placed in cold hold table within the last 15 minutes.
• Accumulation of brown and black residue inside soda nozzles of self service fountain machine.
• Spray bottle of steel cleaner stored over ready-to-eat salt and sugar shakers and packets.
• Plastic cups used to connect drain lines from3-compartment prep sink to floor drain.
• 3-compartment sinks not sealed to adjacent walls.
• Silverware in dry storage stored in container with food-contact surfaces presented.
• Scoop handle stored in contact with sugar in bulk bin.
• Bulk container of white granular substance not labeled.
• Employee drinks stored above prep stations. Employee purse and air pods stored above prep stations.
• No handwashing signage was posted at handwashing sinks.
• Certified Food Manager certificate was not posted at time of inspection.