‘Foul odor’ and raw turkey in a bucket: See results of SLO County July restaurant inspections

Kaytlyn Leslie
·6 min read

One restaurant had a foul odor from the plumbing, two had flies and several had problems with sinks.

Those were some of the notable conditions San Luis Obispo County health inspectors found in July during surprise visits to eating and drinking establishments.

Many food and beverage sellers passed with flying colors, while others needed to make serious improvements.

Every month, The Tribune prints the lowest- and highest-ranked eateries to give diners more information about the places where they buy food and drinks.

Inspectors visit restaurants, bars, coffee shops, grocery stores, mini-marts and more on a monthly basis. They score eateries on a 100-point scale and make deductions based on the severity of the violations they find.

To check out the safety and cleanliness of your favorite restaurants around the county, visit www.EatSafeSLO.org and use the interactive map to view full inspection reports.

Here are the highs and lows of the 120 inspections conducted by Environmental Health employees in July.

Lowest-rated restaurants

Rib Line by the Beach, 359 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach

Points lost: 23

Notes: The Grover Beach barbecue restaurant was ordered to have a reinspection following its regular inspection in July due to several violations being observed. A health inspector at the scene noted there were numerous flies throughout the facility, “especially in the prep and ware wash areas.” This was likely due to a back door to the kitchen being left open. Other violations included selling soft-serve ice cream without a California Department of Food and Agriculture license, the absence of paper towels at the sink in the ice cream and bar area and heavy accumulation of food debris on a large mounted can opener.

Umi Sushi and Sake, 1108 Pine St., Paso Robles

Points lost: 20.5

Notes: During its routine health inspection, Umi Sushi and Sake had a number of reported violations, largely centered around how to properly sanitize dishes and work spaces. According to the inspection notes, a worker was seen touching their face with a gloved hand while prepping food. The dishwasher machine was also found to be broken and not dispensing sanitizer as it should. Employees were told to wash dishes by hand until it was fixed. Sanitizing wiping cloths were not being stored in a sanitizer solution when not in use and food was being prepared in a three-compartment sink rather than in a separate food prep sink, the inspector noted.

San Miguel Market and Deli, 1299 Mission St., San Miguel

Points lost: 19

Notes: The San Miguel Market and Deli lost several points due to violations during its routine July inspection: An inspector observed flies throughout the facility due to an open door, no chlorine in the sanitizing buckets and no hand soap or towels available at washing sinks. The inspector also found two leaky sinks in the facility, one of which had been turned off — which meant employees could not properly wash their hands. The inspector also noted that hazardous foods were being improperly thawed at room temperature, and that raw animal products were being stored above ready-to-eat items.

La Chata Authentic Mexican Food, 628 S. Main St., Templeton

Points lost: 16.5

Notes: During its routine inspection, La Chata Authentic Mexican Food lost points primarily for sink-related issues. An inspector noted that employees were washing their hands in a three-compartment sink rather than a separate designated hand washing sink; the inspector said the hand washing sink on site appeared to be being used to store dishes. The restaurant was also ordered to stop storing “potentially hazardous foods” on the counter and instead keep them in temperature-controlled environments. Finally, the inspector noted that no sanitizer was on hand at the start of the inspection to clean dishes and food contact surfaces.

Mason Bar, 307 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande

Points lost: 11

Notes: Like other local eateries with multiple violations in July, Mason Bar in Arroyo Grande had some problems with sinks during its routine inspection. The inspector observed hand washing supplies were being kept at a food prep sink — indicating it was being used for hand washing rather than a separate hand wash sink. The restaurant also had mops propped against a wall drying in a mop sink, though they are supposed to be kept in a position that allows them to air dry without soiling walls equipment or supplies, the inspector noted. Meanwhile, multiple refrigeration units were being held at too-warm temperatures and a raw sealed turkey was found in a bucket of water in the walk-in, according to inspection notes.

Corona’s Mexican Restaurant, 1263 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande

Points lost: 10.5

Notes: During its routine inspection in July, Corona’s Mexican Restaurant in Arroyo Grande had several small recorded violations ranging from too-warm refrigeration units to a bucket catching water droplets from a fan in one of those refrigerators — but the most pressing issue was the smell. According to a health inspector, a “foul odor” was coming from the back kitchen area, potentially from the floor drain near the kitchen entrance. The inspector said there was also fluid on the kitchen floor by the prep line. The restaurant was ordered to call in a plumber immediately to check the underground plumbing and floor sink. An inspector was scheduled to return to the restaurant for a reinspection to ensure the issue had been remedied within two weeks.

These businesses also lost 10 or more points due to violations.

  • Hilton Garden Inn Pismo Beach, 601 James Way, Pismo Beach

  • Panera Bread Bakery Cafe No. 202778, 1390 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande

  • Cracked Crab, 751 Price St., Pismo Beach

  • Lopez Lake Marina and Store, 6820 Lopez Lake Drive, Arroyo Grande

  • Oak Hill Market, 2150 Heritage Loop Road, Paso Robles

Highest-rated restaurants

These stores and restaurants received scores of 100, with few to no violations.

San Luis Obispo

South County

  • Chipotle Mexican Grill No. 2906, 1229 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande

  • Five Foleys, Inc., 921 Griffin St., Unit R, Grover Beach

  • Sushi Kokku, 581 Five Cities Drive, Pismo Beach

North County

  • A Farmtastic Stande, 4647 Interlake Road, Bradley

  • Adelaida Botanicals, 5625 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles

  • Chef Gregory’s, 825 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles

  • Fill & Save, 2120 Heritage Loop Drive, Paso Robles

  • Jack in the Box No. 171, 2304 Spring St., Paso Robles

  • Kairos Coffee Inc., 2706 Spring St., Paso Robles

  • Opolo Vineyards, 7110 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles

  • Paris Valley Road Winery, 5265 E. Hwy 46, Paso Robles

  • Star MSO Inc. 68584, 1244 24th St., Paso Robles

  • Starbucks Coffee No. 8909, 1205 24th St., Paso Robles

  • Vivant Fine Cheese, 821 Pine St., Paso Robles