Cockroach infestation causes Modesto restaurant to close. What else did inspectors find?

Dominique Williams
·5 min read
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Around 50 cockroaches were observed at a Modesto restaurant, causing Stanislaus County inspectors to encourage its owner to voluntarily close.

Other violations, including food soil and grime, also were found during inspections at regional eateries in late May.

The majority of the 2,400 permitted food service establishments in the county receive two unannounced routine food safety inspections per year, according to the Department of Environmental Resources. The website says inspection reports are scanned weekly.

Food trucks that operate under a Stanislaus County Health Department permit also are inspected by the county, though those are scheduled and done at the department’s office.

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Of the 28 restaurant inspection reports sent to The Modesto Bee on Thursday, one was not updated on the site as of Monday morning.

If an inspection listed below needs clarification, business owners can email Modesto Bee reporter Dominique Williams at dwilliams@modbee.com.

Cockroach infestation among major violations

Violations were found during routine inspections of the following Stanislaus County food facilities during the week of May 27- June 2. Only the dates of violations are listed.

The details of the reports do not indicate whether a restaurant passed or failed inspection. Corrective actions may have been made by the business by the time of publication.

The reports are linked. For updates on individual restaurants, search the DER website.

Dollar General, 7100 Hughson Ave. in Hughson, had five violations on May 28. Inspectors observed milk stain buildup on the bottom shelf of a freezer. The backroom floor had debris and stain accumulation. The bathroom hand sinks and toilets were discolored and had stain buildup. The soap dispenser in the bathroom was not operational and the paper towel dispenser was empty.

One violation remained during a reinspection June 3. The soap dispenser was still not operational.

Rainbow Sports Complex, 3800 Claribel Road in Modesto, had three violations on May 29. Four cutting boards had deep cut grooves with brown buildup. The hand sink water temperature was 76 degrees (must be 100 degrees). The food contact surfaces on the barbecue grills were soiled.

Asian Kitchen, 609 Tully Road in Modesto, had one major violation during an inspection May 29, which was the result of a complaint. The health department received a complaint two days prior to the inspection alleging a cockroach was found in a customer’s chow mein. A cockroach infestation was identified at the time of inspection. Numerous live and dead cockroaches were observed at the order taking station and on a prep table, a cutting board and the food prep refrigerator. Many more cockroaches were seen in traps at the entrance to the kitchen, by the janitorial mop sink and by the bulk food storage bins. Roaches also were seen running out from underneath a picture on a wall when moved, on a food product shelf and under a trash can in the restroom. A receipt was provided that showed that last pest service was April 15 and that there were around 50 roaches seen by the technician. The DER supervisor was called, who spoke to the manager and explained that the infestation was unacceptable. The supervisor encouraged the manager to voluntarily close the restaurant, perform a deep cleaning and have the entire facility treated by an exterminator.

During a reinspection June 3, dead cockroaches were observed in the dining area below the booth seats and the cook’s line under the equipment. One live cockroach was seen on the floor area below the food prep refrigerator. The restaurant was approved to operate provided all of the noted violations were in compliance by the follow-up inspection date June 12. The department strongly advised that pest control service be done twice monthly for the months of June and July.

During the reinspection June 12, the two major violations remained. There were several dead roaches on the floor behind a large sign in the dining room and two live roaches in the kitchen at the dump sink and plastic-wrap area. The restaurant was approved to operate with ongoing cleaning and pest treatment.

Super Mercado Mi Tierra, 1349 Crows Landing Road in Modesto, had five violations May 30. Inspectors observed “lots” of food soil and grime throughout the bakery. Cutting boards in the meat department were soiled. Three spice buckets were soiled and stained inside and out, and two racks in the meat walk-in refrigerator were rusty and “difficult to clean.” Raw meat was resting on the lowest shelf on a rolling rack and dragging on the floor.

Velvet Grill & Creamery, 2204 McHenry Ave. in Modesto, had five violations during an inspection May 30, which was the result of a complaint. The department received an anonymous complaint regarding the sanitary conditions of the restaurant five days prior to the inspection. Inspectors observed a considerable amount of food debris beneath the equipment and on the floor along the main kitchen line. Papers and debris were observed beneath steel shelving within the rear storage area. Gasket insulation was missing in several spots on a refrigerator door, allowing colder air to escape. Open containers of bulk food items observed within rear storage area and were unlabeled.

Other food facilities with three or more, or major, violations at the time of their inspections include:

One to two violations, not major

According to Stanislaus County, food facilities that had one to two violations, none of them major, are:

No violations for these Stanislaus County food facilities

These food facilities had no violations, according to the county: