Lubbock's Latest Restaurant Health Inspections Mar. 22-28

LUBBOCK, TX — Nine local restaurants and one chain were flagged for needing improvement in the Hub City this week, while 18 restaurants earned top performance scores.

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

Below is the list of performers for the week of March 22 through 28:

Adequate Performers:

Hiyashi Midtown at 3701 19th Street
Score: 80
Violations: 17

• Raw beef stored on shelf in the reach-in cooler across from grill over scallops, and noodles.
• Containers of soap stored on a dry storage rack over food service vinegar.
• A spray bottle with yellow liquid stored with other chemicals was not labeled to identify the common name of the material.
• Employee discarded waste mop water in the paved alley behind the restaurant instead of using the mop sink in the kitchen.
• Sushi rice log sheet reads pH of 3.9 but the facility does not have the monitoring equipment to verify the reading. PIC states that they are using a recipe that is to give that pH.
• Hand sink in the ware wash has a bamboo sushi rolling mat stored behind the faucet.
• Cloths in-use for wiping are stored on prep tables in the kitchen.
• Single-service containers that previously held a commercially prepared food product are being reused as storage containers for cut produce.
• Staff is using a single-service container to dispense sauce stored in the walk-in cooler.
• Containers of sugar, salt, and other seasonings at the cooking station are not labeled to identify the common name of the foods.
• Shelves where the microwave and toaster oven are located are visibly soiled.
• Microwave interior and exterior surfaces are visibly soiled.
• Personal items (rice cooker, personal drinks) stored on prep table near drink machine over food service tea bags, and utensils.
• Personal items (pocket knife, drinks) are stored on the shelf above the prep reach-in cooler across from grill area.
• Due to the failure of complying with Approved Variance requirements for the Sushi Rice Acidification, and to maintain Letter of Guarantee documentation for the sushi seafood, the Demonstration of Food Safety was not observed.
• Sushi prep area has no pH meter for verification of the pH of the sushi rice for shelf stability as required by their Variance.
• There are no Letters of Guarantee available to verify seafood source and treatment.

Flippers Tavern at 1406 Avenue Q
Score: 80
Violations: 18

• RTE potato salad, chili, and peeled hard boiled eggs held at 48F in prep cooler. Thermometer in unit registered 58F.
• RTE cut tomatoes held at 49F in prep cooler. Tomatoes dated 3.21.2025. Thermometer in unit registered 58F.
• Ambient air temperature in prep cooler measured at 58F. Raw shell eggs held at 55F.
• RTE sausage held at 51F in prep cooler. Thermometer in unit registered 58F.
• RTE macaroni and cheese held at 120F on hot hold unit. PIC stated macaroni and cheese had been placed in hot hold unit 4.5.hours prior.
• RTE meatballs held at 120F on hot hold unit. PIC stated meatballs had been placed in hot hold unit 4.5 hours prior.
• RTE chili with ground beef and beans held at 120F on hot hold unit. PIC stated chili had been placed in hot hold unit 4.5 hours prior.
• Accumulation of black debris on ice machine deflector plate, not clean to sight and touch.
• Insecticide, not labeled for use in a food service establishment, stored in service sink room.
• Working containers of sanitizing solution stored on table used to store food.
• Butane canister stored above prep cooler.
• First aid supplies stored above dry tea.
• Manual shut off valves installed downstream of AVB on service sink fixture, not designed and approved for that specific application.
• Clean, in use knives with missing tips, not maintained in a state of good repair.
• Top of ice machine soiled with an accumulation of dust and dirt.
• Employee personal drinks and clothing stored on table used to store food.
• Employee personal food stored above RTE food in back RIC.
• Rest room doors not self closing.

Pancake House at 510 Avenue Q
Score: 82
Violations: 10

• Raw shell eggs held at 66F on prep cooler. PIC stated raw shell eggs had been out < 1 hour.
• Commercially prepared RTE ham with a preparation date of 3.19.2025, held 2 days beyond use or discard date of 3.25.2025.
• Raw bacon stored above RTE biscuits in WIC
• Yellow tinted liquid stored in non original working container, not identified with the common name of the toxic material.
• In use container of chlorine sanitizing solution stored on prep table.
• Container of pickles stored on floor in WIC.
• Clean drink ware stored wet, not in a self draining position that allows air drying.
• Single use article reused to store brown gravy.
• Employee personal items stored on prep table.
• Electronic insect control device used to stun or electrocute insects installed above utensil storage and deli slicer.

Cotton Patch Cafe at 6810 Slide Road
Score: 83
Violations: 13

• Employee with gloved hands was breading raw beef with one hand, and reached over to remove a ready-to-eat steak from the fryer with the other hand.
• Employee applied liquid cleaner from a container the to floor by splashing on in a manner that allowed the cleaner to splash onto clean pans stored on the bottom shelf of the clean wares rack.
• The waste pipe from the 3-compartment sink was below the rim of the floor drain plumbing fixture.
• The waste pipe from the grill area hand sink was below the rim of the floor drain plumbing fixture.
• Ice machine front bin lid with a torn gasket.
• Containers labeled pepper, salt, and garlic salt, were stored stacked without each container being covered.
• A rack of drying silverware was stored dripping into a container with bagged sugar product.
• A box of paper food containers, and a bag of single-use plastic gallon jugs were stored on the floor in the dry storage area.
• Single-use paper bowl/plates were used as scoops in the dry cornbread mix, and in the croutons.
• Vent hood interior surfaces and filters were visibly soiled.
• Ceiling tiles missing, and visibly damaged throughout the prep area.
• Floors, walls, and ceilings were visibly soiled
• Certified Food Manager certifications are available but not posted in a conspicuous location as required by City Ordinance.

I Love Pho at 405 Slide Road, Suite 112
Score: 85
Violations: 11

• Chlorine sanitizer concentration in mechanical ware wash unit measured lower then the safe limit of 50ppm.
• Employees directed to wash hands in dump sink.
• Yellow wiping clothing stored on faucet of kitchen handwashing sink.
• Chips in tip and blade of knife stored on magnetic strip.
• Gaps between threshold and door leading from dining area to alley, allowing for possible entry of pests.
• Wet wiping cloth, not in current use, stored on prep table.
• Meat thawing in standing water, in 3-compartment sink. Water was 69°F.
• Accumulation of food debris on nonfood-contact surface of meat slicer.
• Black tape used to hold up cord over prep line.
• Prepared on site and time/temperature control for safety meat, pulled from walk in freezer 3/26/25 to thaw, not date marked.
• Handwashing sinks not operational due to water being turned off by PIC because of leaks. This is a repeat violation from inspection performed on 8/16/24.

Los Victors Mexican Food California Style at 4928 50th Street
Score: 88
Violations: 9

• A pan of raw shell eggs was at 54°F in the top portion of the reach-in cooler unit next to the grill for less than 4 hours.
• Raw beef, and raw fish stored in the walk-in cooler on shelves above ready-to-eat jalapenos, and cooked beans.
• Cooked beans, and various soup products stored in the walk-in cooler, did not have date marks for preparation nor discard.
• An open gallon container of milk was not date marked with day open nor discard date.
• Unlidded personal drinks were stored on prep tables in the food preparation area.
• Containers of ready-to-eat beans, diced onions, and raw chicken, all stored in the walk-in cooler, were not covered to protect from contamination.
• An open box of frying potatoes was stored on the floor in the walk-in freezer.
• The microwave on the shelf above the prep cooler was visibly soiled on the interior surfaces.
• A personal drink, a keychain, and hanging stuffed animals were stored above food service prep tables and food service article storage areas throughout the food service area.

Subway at 2515 82nd Street
Score: 89
Violations: 9

• Container of sliced cucumbers located in east reach-in cooler did not bear a date or day. PIC did not know when cucumbers had been prepared.
• Container of bleach stored above packaged single-use gloves located on shelf under microwave.
• Employee used bare hand to turn off faucet of hand washing sink after completing a proper hand wash.
• Accumulation of black residue on ice deflector plate of ice machine.
• Walk-in cooler floor soiled with accumulation of food residue.
• Personal closed container of food stored on top of lidded container of olives located in east reach-in cooler.
• Personal lidded drink stored on shelf above east reach-in cooler.
• Two personal phones stored on prep table of east reach-in cooler.
• Personal lidded drink stored on shelf above inverted single-use cups located at drive-through beverage station.

Albarran’s Mexican Bar and Grill at 7722 Milwaukee Avenue
Score: 89
Violations: 10

• Two scrapers used for grills stored between 3-compartment sink and wall.
• Spray bottle of purple liquid stored at hostess desk without a label to identify the common name of the material.
• Tray of sliced carrots in walk-in cooler stored uncovered.
• Seal on 3-compartment sink is damaged and missing in some spaces.
• Hand sink in tortilla room has a damaged sink seal.
• All reach-in coolers throughout kitchen had damaged and cracked seals.
• Vent in dry storage area had a heavy accumulation of dust.
• Top surfaces of all hot boxes had an accumulation of dust and brown debris.
• Employee personal wallet stored on rack with buckets of tortilla chips in server station area.
• Hand sink in tortilla room did not have proper signage.

Beef O’Brady’s at 5510 4th Street, Suite 280
Score: 89
Violations: 9

• Raw chicken was stored in a low-boy drawer above another drawer that contained raw shrimp.
• Three damp cloths, not in immediate use, were stored on prep surfaces throughout the cook/prep line.
• Box of soft pretzels was stored on the floor in the walk-in freezer.
• Single-use cup was stored in a bulk bin of sugar to dispense product.
• Bulk bin of a white powder was not identified with the common name.
• Walk-in cooler door and gasket had a buildup of residue.
• Employee drink was stored on the prep surface of a prep cooler in the prep line.
• Facility does not have test strips for the chlorine sanitizing dishwasher. Solution was tested using inspector test strips and measured at 50 ppm.
• Coving is missing from area behind hand sink and equipment of the cookline.

China Express I at 5510 4th Street, Suite 250
Score: 89
Violations: 7

• Box of raw pork was stored above closed containers of sauce on a rack in the walk-in cooler.
• Chlorine sanitizer bucket, stored on auxiliary table of 3 compartment sink, tested at a concentration above 200 ppm.
• Containers of cut vegetables and noodles in the walk-in cooler were not date-marked to identify when products were prepared. PIC stated that they do not keep any product longer than 3 days.
• Facility has a screened door, in addition to the back door and in place during inspection, that has a large gap underneath the door.
• A box of raw pork chops was stored on the floor across from the 3 compartment sink.
• A box of raw pork ribs was stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler.
• A metal sauce can was stored in the bulk bin of dry rice.

Top Performers

Powell’s BBQ at 7729 19th Street
Score: 98

Burger King at 4202 82nd Street
Score: 98

Torchy’s Tacos at 3204 W Loop 289 Acc Rd 100
Score: 97

Stella’s at 6015 82nd Street, Suite 1
Score: 96

Marco’s Pizza at 6006 4th Street
Score: 96

Bucket Of Love at 6012 82nd Street
Score: 96

Chicken Run at 1910 Quaker Avenue, Suite 100
Score: 95

Mi Taco Village at 220 Regis Street
Score: 94

Teddy Jack’s Hub City Grill at 7205 Milwaukee Avenue, Suite 300
Score: 93

Taco Casa at 8720 University Avenue
Score: 93

Logie’s on Overton at 2323 Mac Davis Lane
Score: 92

Lone Star Oyster Bar #2 at 5116 58th Street
Score: 92

Tommy’s Famous Burgers at 117 University Avenue
Score: 92

Braum’s at 7910 Milwaukee Avenue
Score: 92

IHOP at 3911 S. Loop 289
Score: 91

Dairy Queen at 8103 Indiana Avenue
Score: 91

Bahama Buck’s at 7718 Milwaukee Avenue, Suite 300
Score: 90

Rita’s Donuts at 6012 82nd Street
Score: 90

View the full list of the City of Lubbock food inspection results here.