SAN ANTONIO – A Metro Health inspector found various health code violations at a South Side Asian buffet, racking up 20 that included a dead rodent and roaches.
This week, KSAT Investigates reporter Tim Gerber tried to get some answers about their nearly failing score, but the manager disappeared behind the kitchen door.
Kin’s Cafe
Kin’s Cafe, located in the 7800 block of IH-35 South, saw its score drop 18 points in just four months — going from an 89 in January down to a barely passing 71 in May.
The sushi on the buffet line was too warm.
Fly traps with pests stuck to them were found right above the food prep area.
There was a dead rodent and roaches stuck to a glue trap in the pantry. The business was ordered to hire pest control services and provide receipts.
Raw chicken was being stored next to cooked chicken.
The business had numerous plumbing problems that needed to be fixed, including a hand sink that wasn’t attached to the wall and had the hot water turned off. Another sink was clogged.
Toxic chemicals needed to be stored in a locked closet, not in the food prep area or under the stove where the inspector found them.
Employees weren’t wearing hair restraints, and the kitchen needed a deep cleaning.
The employee bathroom also needed to be cleaned and sanitized. According to the inspection report, the manager said it wasn’t being used, but the inspector wrote that it had a foul stench and evidence it was being used.
Gerber stopped by the business this week to ask some questions. An employee looked at the report and said she would be right back to answer questions, but she never returned.
While waiting, Gerber noticed the business was displaying the much higher score of 89, and the current inspection report was not visible to customers.
A re-inspection was ordered.
Mi Mexico Restaurant
Mi Mexico Restaurant in the 3100 block of South Zarzamora got a 73.
Chicken and fajitas cooked the day before were improperly cooled.
Other foods in cold hold units were too warm.
A worker was preparing food without gloves but put them on when the inspector noted the violation.
Tortillas were being stored in grocery-style to-go bags. A can of Glade air freshener was found next to single service items.
The cutting boards were deeply scored and scratched and needed to be replaced.
The floors required deep cleaning.
Instead of storing cleaning towels in sanitizing solution, workers were seen with the towels hanging from their waists and left on food prep areas.
The business was scheduled for a re-inspection.
Culebra Meat Market #12
Culebra Meat Market #12, located in the 4600 block of South Flores, got an 81.
They needed to thoroughly clean the inside of the ice machine as well as the display case windows and sliding doors.
They were using Foca laundry detergent to clean dishes and utensils.
Drain pipes were spraying and leaking water.
The ceiling tiles above the bakery and meat market were peeling and had exposed insulation that needed to be fixed.
A re-inspection was ordered.
Score Guide
100-90 = A (Very Good to Acceptable)
89-80 = B (Acceptable to Marginal)
79 or lower = C (Marginal to Poor)
*Metro Health indicates that scores of 69 or lower are failing scores
Other scores from this week of inspections
Dos Sirenos Brewing, 100
231 E Cevallos St
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Subway Sandwich Shop, 100
11309 Bandera Rd
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Burger King, 100
211 SW Military Dr
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Jersey Mike’s Subs, 100
999 E Basse
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Pollos Asados el Carbonero, 100
619 S Gen. McMullen
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The Black Bear Dinner, 99
2707 SE Military Dr
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Cowgirl Kitchen, 98
1219 SE Military Dr
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Taqueria Arandas-Potranco, 97
10538 Potranco Rd
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Bobbie’s Cafe, 96
6728 S Flores St
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Pik Nik Foods Econ-Liquors Inc., 95
550 Ruiz St
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El Chilaquil Taqueria, 94
1821 W Commerce St
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Las Tapatias De Jalisco Mexican Restaurant, 93
1619 Goliad Rd
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Boba Tea, 92
3850 S New Braunfels
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Chili’s Grill and Bar, 91
5790 W FM 1604 N
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R & R Cafe, 90
4241 Clark Ave
Want to know who has good scores and who doesn’t? KSAT 12 has a new tool for that.
Just click this link, and it will take you to a new mapping tool we have showing the recent scores for San Antonio food businesses.
The reports go back six months and are frequently updated.
You can catch Tim’s BKD reports Thursdays on the Nightbeat.
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