3 eateries log 75+ red points. Here are food inspection scores for March 29

Martín Bilbao
·6 min read

Comments are taken directly from the latest Thurston County inspection reports, which are available for each food establishment, at the Thurston County Environmental Health Office and their website at co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehfood. For questions concerning these reports, contact the health office at 360-867-2667.

Report restaurant, grocery store, deli or bakery complaints online via the complaint form here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/phss/Pages/eh-problem.aspx.

Reading inspection scores:

  • Attention should be given to the type of violation (red versus blue) and whether the establishment has a history of red violations or repeat violations.

  • Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illness and must be corrected immediately if feasible or according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: not keeping food at the right temperature.

  • Blue violations relate to the overall cleanliness and condition of operation and must be corrected according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: a worn floor that needs replacing.

  • If red points exceed 45, the county will require a reinspection within 10 business days.

  • If red points exceed 100 and there’s a lack of managerial control, the county will shut down the establishment for at least 72 hours. The establishment may reopen after management and employees complete retraining and demonstrate corrective action during a reinspection.

  • Some common abbreviations: PHF/TCS is potentially hazardous food/time control for safety; RTE is ready to eat; PIC is person in charge; FWC is food worker card; CDI is corrected during inspection.

SUBWAY

1304 East Yelm Ave. Suite A-101, Yelm

March 21: 0 red points; 3 blue points.

Comments:

  • A sanitary napkin container was absent from the women’s restroom.

DOS HERMANOS MEXICAN KITCHEN

222 Capitol Way N., Olympia

March 22: 14 red points; 3 blue points.

Comments:

  • A handwash sink was partially blocked by a cart and out of paper towels. This was corrected onsite.

  • Covered chicken and rice were separately observed cooling at more than 2 inches in depth. These foods were uncovered and moved to shallower pans during the inspection.

  • Raw fish and raw beef in chef drawers were at 48 degrees rather than at or below 41 degrees. Workers turned down the unit and temperatures dropped.

  • Sanitizer cloths were observed stored on top of a bucket rather than inside the bucket.

TACOS LAS EQUINITAS

430 Legion Way SE, Olympia

March 23: 75 red points; 10 blue points.

Comments:

  • An employee returned to food preparation after handling whole, raw shell eggs without removing their gloves and washing their hands.

  • Handwash sinks were completely blocked and had dirty dishes. One had a sanitizer bucket in it, and another was missing paper towels.

  • Raw beef was observed above cooked beans, and raw chicken was observed above raw beef in the refrigerator. Raw foods must be stored below ready-to-eat foods. Raw foods with the lowest cooking temperature must be stored above those with higher cooking temperatures.

  • Tamales were observed wrapped with condensation. Cooked potatoes were cooling at depths of more than 2 inches.

  • A chlorine bleach sanitizer solution was too strong and needed to be diluted.

  • A merchandizer fridge was used for open foods and cooling.

  • A sanitizer solution for warewash equipment was not strong enough.

PANDA EXPRESS

1320 Marvin Road NE, Lacey

March 24: 25 red points; 5 blue.

Comments:

  • Fried rice was held at 110 degrees rather than at or above 135 degrees.

  • Wiping cloths were stored in a sanitizer solution that was not strong enough.

DAIRY QUEEN

6530 Capitol Blvd. SE, Tumwater

March 24: 25 red points; 5 blue.

Comments:

  • An employee touched raw frozen beef patties then replaced their gloves without washing their hands in between.

  • The in-use sanitizer solution was not strong enough.

KOZY’S SOUTHBAY IN & OUT

3425 Shincke Road NE, Olympia

March 24: 85 red points; 5 blue points.

The establishment scored excessive red points in an initial inspection, but they corrected all issues at a follow-up inspection.

Comments:

  • Food worker cards were missing for multiple employees.

  • Workers did not wash their hands after switching tasks and changing gloves.

  • Food from an unapproved source was being sold.

  • Fries and garlic in oil mixture were kept at room temperature.

  • No probe thermometers were present at the facility during inspection.

  • A chlorine sanitizer solution was too strong.

  • Test strips for checking sanitizer levels were missing during inspection.

DOMINO’S PIZZA

10501 Creek St. SE, Yelm

March 24: 25 red points, 2 blue points.

Comments:

  • Multiple employees washed their hands for less than 20 seconds.

  • The inspector cited them for not properly maintaining their physical facilities. An “expansion suite” was not approved. A restroom had gaps in the doors and construction debris.

CLUB DEMONSTRATIONS SERVICES INC.

Costco Food Sampling

5500 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater

March 24: 25 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

  • Hot beef empanadas were held at 120 degrees rather than at or above 135 degrees.

ZEN RAMEN AND SUSHI BURRITO

3238 Capital Blvd. SE, Tumwater

March 24: 40 red points; 18 blue points.

Comments:

  • Raw beef was stored above ready-to-eat foods in the walk-in cold hold. One container of raw chicken was stored above raw shrimp in reach-in cold hold.

  • Cooked shrimp was held between 46 and 48 degrees rather than at or below 41 degrees.

  • Ahi tuna was observed incorrectly thawing in the walk-in cold hold.

  • A sanitizer solution was not prepared before the inspection started.

  • Multiple food items were stored in non-food-grade containers.

  • A thermal warewash machine did not exceed 136 degrees. A minimum of 165 degree must be reached.

PUERTO VALLARTA RESTAURANT

802 W. Yelm Ave., Yelm

March 24: 105 red points; 15 red points.

The restaurant was not shut down despite scoring over 100 red points. Manager Susan Miller told The Olympian the county cited the restaurant for a faulty cooler that they were actively fixing. A reinspection will occur in about two weeks, she said.

Comments:

  • An employee did not use a dedicated hand sink to wash their hands. Employees also washed their hands for less than 20 seconds.

  • A hand sink had been removed from the bar. Workers used a dump sink/blender station as a hand sink instead.

  • Some foods were improperly cooled. Sauces, rice and chicken were stored in a beer cooler in depths of more than 2 inches. Some items were also covered while cooling.

  • Warm buffet items and tacos were held at below 135 degrees. Items in a warming cabinet, such as tomatoes, were held at below 135 degrees.

  • Several cold foods were held at above 41 degrees.

  • Thermometers were not used to verify food safety temperatures.

  • The menu lacked proper consumer advisories for some items that included raw or cooked-to-order ingredients.

  • The facility used a cold hold unit known to be improperly functioning.

  • Some food items were thawing at room temperature on a counter.

  • A warewashing machine needed repair to properly sanitize items.

  • Physical facilities, such as floors and counters, were not properly maintained.

STARBUCKS

315 Cooper Point Road NW, Olympia

March 27: 0 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

  • Wiping cloths were not properly used or stored.

No violations:

  • MOD Pizza, (410 Cooper Point Road SW, Olympia)

  • Camp Solomon Schechter (1627 73rd Ave. SE, Olympia)

  • Costco Wholesale (5500 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater)

  • Canteen at Costco Breakroom (5500 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater)