Here's how Nueces County restaurants scored in health inspections for August 2023
EDITOR'S NOTE: For the complete list, visit caller.com.
School is back in session, so eating out may not being happening as often but you should think twice before picking up take out.
In August, Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District inspectors found rodent droppings on top of boxes of cups, a hole in the ceiling, dirty soda nozzles and other health violations.
The health district describes a food establishment as a place that sells or serves food to the public, which can include bars, hotels, apartments, schools and food trucks. These establishments must get an annual permit and be inspected by the health district.
Inspections are based on a demerit system, in accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services. The Inspection Report checks against 47 different violations, each scoring from 3 to 1.
Out of more than 220 businesses inspected, 36 scored below a 90 and 28 received perfect scores.
Here are the worst and best scores restaurants were given during August 2023.
Acapulco Restaurant & Bar #4
6517 Weber Road
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 10 and received an 88. Inspectors found gnats, dirty air conditioner vents, the store being too dirty and utensils stored improperly.
Acapulco was last inspected in November 2022 and scored a 95.
Agave Jalisco Mexican Restaurant
2001 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 11 and received a 77. Inspectors found food not being stored at the proper temperature, cellphones on counter where food is prepared, gnats and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.
Agave Jalisco was last inspected in July 2023 and scored an 87.
Aloha Pacific Grill
6702 S. Staples St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 1 and received an 88. Inspectors found raw meat being stored above vegetables, employees not washing their hands before putting on gloves, employees not wearing hairnets and food containers not labeled.
Aloha Pacific Grill was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 94.
Barrio Bar & Grill
5717 Saratoga Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 28 and received an 83. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, raw beef stored above seafood, gnats and dirty soda nozzles.
Barrio was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 89.
Bingo Taco #4 at Bingoland
4826 Crosstown Expressway
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 3 and received an 85. Inspectors found mayo not being refrigerated, a dirty ice machine, dirty slush machines and medicine stored near food.
This was the first inspection for Bingo Taco #4.
Boat 'N Net #1
1411 Port Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 9 and received a 71. Inspectors found food buildup within reach-in coolers, employees without valid food handler's cards, no certified food manager present and grease buildup on fryers.
Boat 'N Net was last inspected in March 2023 and scored an 81.
Boat 'N Net #2
4808 Kostoryz Road
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 24 and received an 81. It was also inspected on Aug. 9, Aug. 16 and Aug. 18 and scored a 76, 75 and 78, respectively. Throughout the four inspections, inspectors found food items not being refrigerated, rodents droppings on top of boxes of sugar, salt and cups, dirty counters and a restroom that needed a "deep" cleaning.
Boat 'N Net was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 76.
Boat 'N Net Plant
5657 Old Brownsville Road
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 10 and received a 72. Inspectors found spoiled lemons, rodent droppings, flies and a hole in the ceiling.
Boat 'N Net was last inspected in March 2023 and scored a 77.
Burger Beach Hideaway
6109 McArdle Road
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 15 and received an 89. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, a cook not wearing gloves, dirty coolers and dirty walls.
Burger Beach Hideaway was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 90.
Burger King
6610 Saratoga Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 14 and received an 86. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, employees without food handler's cards, no paper towels in the men's and women's restrooms and employees not wearing hairnets.
Burger King was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 93.
Cancun Mexican Restaurant
6314 Yorktown Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 14 and received an 83. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, mold buildup in nozzles, rodent droppings in the flour prep area and employees not wearing beard guards.
Cancun was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 90.
Cancun Grill & Cantina
1023 Highway 361, Port Aransas
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 17 and received an 83. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, a cook not washing their hands after handling raw meat, a cook not wearing gloves and a cook not wearing a beard guard.
Cancun was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 92.
Chacho's Tacos
3700 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 18 and received an 89. Inspectors found uncovered food items, dirty refrigerators, broken floors and a broken back door.
Chacho's was last inspected in January 2023 and scored a 91.
China Bear Restaurant
10514 Leopard St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 30 and received an 87. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, evidence of insect contamination, mold on air conditioner vents and a leaking toilet in the men's restroom.
China Bear was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 92.
Denny's
4918 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 30 and received an 86. Inspectors found ice cream not covered in the freezer, employees not wearing beard guards, dirty ceiling tiles and grease build up on coolers.
Denny's was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 84.
El Palenque Restaurant
3429 Leopard St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 3 and received an 81. Inspectors found eggs not being held at the proper temperature, a dirty ice machine, a dirty microwave and employees not wearing beard guards.
El Palenque was last inspected in August 2022 and scored a 94.
Gemini Sushi Lounge
5413 S. Staples St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 18 and received an 88. Inspectors found open juice containers not being refrigerated, a dirty ice machine, gnats and holes in the floor.
Gemini was last inspected in March 2023 and scored an 81.
Hu-Dat Noodle House
6418 S. Staples St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 15 and received an 88. Inspectors found plates of food being stacked on each other, mold in the ice machine, chicken not being thawed correctly and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.
Hu-Dat was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 92.
Hunan Express #1
5502 Everhart Road
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 28 and received an 83. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, a dirty can opener, food being stacked on each other without lids and food not dated.
Hunan Express was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 84.
Jack-in-the-Box
1502 Airline Road
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 23 and received an 86. Inspectors found a dirty microwave, improperly thawing chicken, employees without food handler's cards and employees not wearing hairnets.
Jack-in-the-Box was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 82.
Jason's Deli
1416 Airline Road
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 31 and received an 89. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, gnats, employees not wearing hairnets and a dirty soda machine.
Jason's Deli was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 82.
La Escondida #2
2331 Agnes St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 14 and received an 88. Inspectors found eggs not being held at the proper temperature, a dirty microwave, utensils not being store properly and bins stacked on top of each other without lids on.
La Escondida was last inspected in October 2022 and scored a 92.
La Playa By the Bay
227 N. Water St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 3 and received an 80. Inspectors found rotten vegetables, roaches and flies, a dirty microwave and employees not wearing beard guards.
This was the first inspection for La Playa By the Bay.
La Ribera Restarante #2
1602 Morgan Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 4 and received an 87. Inspectors found food being cut over a trash can, toxic chemicals stored near food, a dirty tortilla flattener and a dirty microwave.
La Ribera was last inspected in October 2022 and scored a 96.
The Mess Deck Cafe at USS Lexington
2914 N. Shoreline Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 1 and received an 88. Inspectors found dirty soda nozzles, no certified food manager present, employees without food handler's cards and no thermometers in all refrigeration.
The Mess Deck was last inspected in August 2022 and scored a 95.
Mi Casita Taqueria #2
2033 Airline Road
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 16 and received an 86. Inspectors found roaches and gnats, rodent droppings, employees not wearing beard guards and missing ceiling tiles.
Mi Casita was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 90.
Pavani Express
3206 Tiger Lane
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 17 and received an 88. Inspectors found toxic chemicals stored near food, no certified food manager present, employees without food handler's cards and spices not covered in kitchen.
Pavani Express was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 91.
Popeye's
5009 Greenwood Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 30 and received an 89. Inspectors found dirty trays used for biscuits, gnats, a dirty dining room and grease build up behind the fryers.
Popeye's was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 90.
Subway
7602 S. Staples St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 16 and received an 85. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, employees not washing hands before putting on gloves, toxic chemicals not stored properly and hand washing sink being used improperly.
Subway was last inspected in July 2023 and scored an 88.
Subway
2743 Airline Road
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 17 and received an 87. Inspectors found a dirty soda ice dispenser, employees not washing hands before putting on gloves, no certified food manager present and employees not wearing beard guards.
Subway was last inspected in May 2023 and scored an 88.
Taco Palenque
5617 Saratoga Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 3 and received a 70. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, employees not washing hands before putting on gloves, employees without a food handler's card and no soap at the hand washing sink for employees.
Taco Palenque was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 95.
Taiwan Restaurant
5425 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 7 and received an 89. Inspectors found a dirty prep station, rodent droppings, thawing meat improperly and food items not labeled or dated.
Taiwan Restaurant was last inspected in May 2023 and scored an 86.
Taqueria El Charly
3002 S. Port Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 8 and received an 84. Inspectors found toxic chemicals store improperly, a dirty reach-in, dishes being washed in the hand washing sink and employees not wearing beard guards.
Taqueria El Charly was last inspected in January 2023 and scored a 100.
Taqueria La Escondida #3
3302 Leopard St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 23 and received an 86. Inspectors found items in refrigerator without lids, food stored on floor in walk-in, a dirty microwave and employees not wearing beard guards.
Taqueria La Escondida was last inspected August 23, 2022, and scored an 81.
Taqueria La Tapatia #2
5606 Everhart Road
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 14 and received an 81. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, food being stacked on top of each other with a cover, employees not washing hands and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.
Taqueria La Tapatia was last inspected in May 2023 and scored an 86.
Tona's Taqueria
2561 Agnes St.
The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 14 and received an 81. Inspectors found employees not wearing gloves, no certified food manager present, employees eating in the kitchen and a dirty drink cooler.
Tona's was last inspected in March 2023 and scored a 96.
Perfect scores (100)
Burger King: 1124 Waldron Road
Champs Meat Market: 15602 Northwest Blvd.
Coral Bean Cafe: 7426 S. Staples St.
Donut Palace: 14602 Compass St.
Fired Up Nutrition: 10501 Leopard St.
Honey Baked Ham & Cafe: 1502 Airline Road
Leila's Treats: 314 Cut-Off Road, Port Aransas
Love Bird Cafe: 9820 Leopard St.
McDonald's: 1229 Waldron Road
McDonald's: 7522 S. Staples St.
Nueces Cafe: 15552 Northwest Blvd.
Oso Rose Beer Garden: 2001 Yorktown Blvd.
Pizza Patron: 4918 Ayers St.
PKK: 213 S. Chaparral St.
Rascal's Billiards: 5959 Williams Drive
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: 5488 S. Padre Island Drive
Schlotzsky's: 5805 Weber Road
Shorty's Place: 101 Beach St., Port Aransas
Six Points Nutrition: 1717 S. Staples St.
Subway: 3701 Leopard St.
Subway: 4128 S. Staples St.
Subway: 5127 Weber Road
Subway: 4101 Highway 77 L-7
Sweet Swirl Frozen Yogurt: 14457 S. Padre Island Drive
Whataburger: 9402 Leopard St.
Whataburger: 4510 Leopard St.
Whataburger: 4021 IH 69
1st and 10 Sports Bar: 3403 S. Padre Island Drive
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Rodent droppings, gnats: Which eateries scored bad with health district
