Lubbock's Latest Restaurant Health Inspections Mar. 29-Apr. 4

LUBBOCK, TX — A local buffet received a low performance score, while four restaurants in Hub City earned average ratings. Fortunately, 17 restaurants ranked among the top performers in this week's health assessments.

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 29 through April 4:

Low Performers:

Hiyashi Buffet at 5608 Slide Road
Score: 78
Violations: 17

• Tub of lo mein noodles in walk-in were measured at 47°F and identified as being prepared more than 6 hours prior to inspection.
• Multiple raw animal foods stored above various ready-to-eat foods.
• Knifes stored on magnetic rack were visibly soiled.
• Various medicines for employee use were stored on the prep table at the sushi bar.
• Eye drops for employee use were stored above food on the prep counter.
• Records and testing instrument for acidified rice not available at time of inspection. Facility holds a time as control variance for sushi as the rolls are held above 41°F for less than 4 hours but none of the sushi rolls were marked with the preparation and discard time at today's inspection. PIC did know the preparation and and discard times for all sushi rolls.
• Commercially prepared bag of shredded cheese was not date marked with an open date.
• Cut fruit in reach-in cooler not date marked. PIC identified fruit as prepared the morning of inspection.
• Scouring pad stored in hand sink.
• Hand drying provision not available in bathroom.
• Various food containers stored directly on floor throughout facility.
• Utensils found stored between-use in water measuring 69°F.
• Box of straws stored directly on the floor.
• Heavy accumulation of ice build-up in ice cream freezer.
• Vents above grill were visibly dripping grease.
• Personal shirt stored on food storage shelf.
• Reach-in cooler by sushi bar stored on top of polystyrene packing material, which has a heavy accumulation of debris and is not easily cleanable.

Adequate Performers:

Mar y Tierra #2 at 5702 19th Street
Score: 81
Violations: 10

• TCS products stored in a low-boy, underneath the grill, were measured at a temperature above 41°F. TCS products included: raw shell eggs 57°F, cooked steak 56°F, and precooked sausage patties 56°F. PIC stated that the products were moved to the low-boy less that 4 hours prior to inspection.
• Container of marinated raw beef was stored above heads of lettuce in the walk-in cooler.
• Chlorine solution for the chemical sanitizing dishwasher tested at 0 ppm.
• Container of nopales, stored in a reach-in cooler across from the dishwasher, was date-marked for 3/27, 1 day past the 7 day date mark limit.
• Mounted thermometer for walk-in cooler is not working. Walk-in cooler was not provided with a working thermometer.
• 2 packaged briskets were thawing in standing water in a prep sink, located on the west wall. Briskets were still frozen.
• Multiple plastic containers were stacked wet on the drying rack.
• To-go containers were stored on a single-service shelf, above the hot-holding area, in position that did not protect the food and lip-contact surfaces.
• Low-boy cold-holding unit underneath the grill was unable to hold a temperature of 41°F as evidenced by multiple TCS products that were stored in the unit. TCS products included: raw shell eggs 57°F, cooked steak 56°F, and precooked sausage patties 56°F.
• Handwashing signage was not provided for either men or women's restroom.

Brava Bar and Grill at 1406 Avenue Q
Score: 83
Violations: 14

• Boxes of raw beef and raw beef intestine were stored on top of beer kegs in the walk-in cooler.
• Raw beef patties stored on shelf above ready-to-eat ready-to-eat seafood soup, and cooked meat dishes in the reach-in cooler.
• Raw chorizo stored on shelf above ready-to-eat beans, and sauces in the walk-in cooler.
• Raw shell eggs and raw chorizo were stored in the reach-in cooler over ready-to-eat mozzarella sticks and precooked chicken wings.
• Employee handled raw beef patties, used a paper towel to wipe the gloves, then returned to cooking duties without a hand wash.
• Soap dispensing bottle has no label to identify the contents.
• A container of soap, and a box of deodorizers were stored on the storage rack above single-service plastic cutlery.
• Mop sink faucet was found connected by a hose directly to the chemical dispenser on the wall. Water was not readily available for dispensing.
• Containers of raw meats, and ready-to eat beans were stored in the walk-in cooler uncovered.
• A half-pizza round was stored uncovered in the reach-in cooler.
• Plastic bin scoops, plastic ice buckets, and a plastic pitcher had retail sale stickers that were not removed at ware wash before using in the food service.
• A not in current use mop was stored in the mop bucket in the employee restroom.
• A personal cell phone was stored on rack above taco shells, and personal drink was stored above a prep table.
• Containers with Ceviche, and Aguachiles were found in the reach-in cooler for the food service. The pre-opening approved menu did not include those items, which may require a variance application for both products to comply with Food Safety Regulations.

Yamagata Japanese Steakhouse at 5905 82nd Street, Suite 104
Score: 86
Violations: 13

• Raw beef is stored above ready-to-eat vegetables, and raw fish is stored over egg rolls made with ready-to-eat ingredients, inside the reach-in cooler by the rice cookers.
• Mechanical ware washer sanitizer concentration was at 0 ppm. The bottle attached is labeled Chlorine.
• Can of bathroom cleaner stored on prep table over food processing equipment by the slicer.
• Two reach-in coolers in the prep area with visibly torn door gaskets.
• Brown and blue plastic cutting boards stored in clean wares are visibly damaged with scratches on food contact surfaces.
• Liner on a reach-in freezer lid, and the liner on shelves above the slicer prep table, are visibly peeling, and no longer smooth.
• Bulk bin containers of sugar and rice were stored on the floor.
• Soup bowl with dry food ingredients are store stacked on each other without providing protection from the bottom of the top bowl.
• Box of foam bowls, and a container of packaged paper napkins are stored on the floor.
• Personal items (lunch bag, personal cup) are stored on shelf above clean bowls.
• A not in current use mop is stored in the mop bucket in a manner that does not allow air drying.
• Wall to floor junctures do not have an installed coving.
• Mechanical ware washer is not dispensing the proper concentration of sanitizer.

The Funky Door at 6801 Milwaukee Avenue
Score: 89
Violations: 9

• A chemical torch container stored on prep table above clean pan storage.
• Open container of commercially prepared milk missing date mark. Manufacturer use by date was 3/30/25.
• A metal scrub pad was stored inside the east hand sink.
• The east hand sink had no hand soap for hand washing.
• A citrus squeezer with chipped paint, a visibly burnt rubber spatula, and a visibly cracked blender cup, were stored in an in-use wares rack between uses.
• Ice bucket stored inverted on the top bare surface of the ice machine between uses.
• Clean knives were stored on wall-mounted holders with food contact surfaces touching the wall.
• A rack in the upstairs drink station was visibly soiled.
• Reach-in coolers with frost build-up.

Top Performers:

Chester’s Chicken/Love’s Travel Stop at 4221 N. Interstate 27
Score: 100

Subway/Love’s Travel Stop at 4421 N. Interstate 27
Score: 100

Lucky Chen at 1803 7th Street
Score: 93

Jumbo Joe’s Burgers at 3310 4th Street
Score: 94

Choochai Thai Cuisine at 2330 19th Street
Score: 93

Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 2520 82nd Street
Score: 96

Jimenez y Friends at 4606 34th Street
Score: 95

Burrito King at 1620 Avenue Q
Score: 92

Tiff’s Treats at 411 University Avenue, Suite 200
Score: 98

Uncle Julio’s at 6230 Slide Road
Score: 90

Taco Villa at 8006 Indiana Avenue
Score: 97

Wienerschnitzel at 301 University Avenue
Score: 99

Popeye’s at 224 University Avenue
Score: 96

Velvet Taco at 2401 Glenna Goodacre Boulevard
Score: 94

Burger King at 2002 50th Street
Score: 96

Church’s Chicken at 1702 50th Street
Score: 93

Raising Canes at 907 University Avenue
Score: 97

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