3 Coachella Valley restaurants get 'B' inspection grades over food temps, vermin sightings

Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Updated ·5 min read

While most Coachella Valley restaurants passed their Riverside County health inspections this week, three spots incurred a number of violations that led to "B" grades, according to reports conducted April 19 through 24.

Delicias Mexican Cuisine in Desert Hot Springs, Tacos Del Valle in Cathedral City and Tack Room Tavern in Indio were noted for improper food temperatures, vermin and a number minor violations which led to their failed inspections. A full report was not available for Tack Room Tavern, or its banquet kitchen, which scored "B" grades, while its pizza area scored an "A."

Tacos Del Valle has had a tough month with inspectors in particular, as it initially scored a "C" grade earlier in April and now a "B" on a reinspection, which is a failing grade. The operator will have to attend an administrative hearing because of repeated failed inspections within a two-year period.

Major violations pose an imminent risk to public health and warrant the immediate closure of a food facility or immediate correction, while minor violations do not pose an imminent public health risk, but do warrant correction.

2 major violations, 18 points deducted

Delicias Mexican Cuisine, 66-121 Pierson Blvd., Desert Hot Springs

  • Major violation: Improper hot and cold food holding temperatures (various raw meats with internal temperatures ranging 43-45 degrees, salsa and cut fruit measuring 45 degrees inside flip top refrigerator; back of refrigeration unit A was frozen over with foods (eggs, garlic in oil, meat drippings/oil) measuring 45-50 degrees; various containers of red and green salsas with internal temperatures ranging 43-45 stored inside refrigeration unit B; queso fresco (51 degrees), horchata (54 degrees), two gallons of milk (48 degrees) and bottles of sour cream (45 degrees) stored in refrigerator unit; a container of cooked beef measuring 75 degrees stored on a shelf) | Items were either discarded or relocated for proper cooling/heating

  • Major violation: Improper cooling methods (several large containers of cooked black beans ranging 47-49 degrees; several large bags of cooked rice measuring 50 degrees with an undetermined cooked date; cooked meat measuring 98 degrees) | Operator voluntarily discarded all of the improperly cooled food items

  • Other minor violations include: A peeler with remaining food debris, a bowl with remaining flour residue and a knife sharpener with food debris stored along with clean utensils on the dish storage rack; an accumulation of biofilm along the deflector shield and upper surface of the ice chute of the ice maker and along the interior of the left side bar gun nozzle and in the drainage tray; uncovered containers of food items in refrigeration units and an open bulk bag of spice in the dry storage hallway; utensils and equipment in need of repair and proper storage; and others

  • "B" card posted and a reinspection date has been set for April 23 (a new reinspection report had yet to be provided by the time of publication of this story on April 25)

0 major violations, 17 points deducted

Tacos Del Valle, 68-467 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City

  • Minor violations include: No food manager certificate or food handler cards; handwashing sink blocked in restroom; container of raw bacon stored on top of a container of jalepenos inside cooler; utensils and equipment in need of repairs and cleaning; a soccer ball stored on shelving with food equipment; floors, walls and ceiling in need of repairs and cleaning; and others

  • "C" card removed and "B" card posted. Due to repeated failed inspections within a two-year period an administrative hearing will be held on April 25

'B' grade, but full report not available

Tack Room Tavern, 81-800 51st Ave., Indio

  • The Tack Room Tavern and its banquet kitchen scored 'B' grades, but its pizza area scored an 'A'

  • Major violation (tavern): Inspector observed rodents, insects, birds or animals (not specified)

  • Minor violations for the tavern include: inadequate handwashing facilities supplied and accessible; lack of food separation and possible food contamination; personal items stored in inappropriate areas; floors, walls and ceiling in need of repair and cleaning; and others

  • Minor violations for the banquet kitchen include: possible food contamination; rodents or insects (not specified); floors, walls and ceiling in need of repair and cleaning; and others

Grade A restaurants

An “A” grade, or a score of 90 to 100 points, means a restaurant passed an inspection and met minimum health standards.

Cathedral City

  • El Guanaquito Pupuseria Mexican Food, 68-525 Ramon Road, Suite 104

  • Cluckin Bun, 68-031 Ramon Road, Suite 101

  • El Super Toro Loco, 68-395 Ramon Road

Desert Hot Springs

  • Rocky's New York Pizza, 12-856 Palm Drive

  • All Star Burgers, 70-065 Dillon Road

  • Downtown Bar, 66-240 Pierson Blvd.

  • Espresso Self, 66-169 Pierson Blvd.

  • Lizzy's Premium Frozen Yogurt, 66-040 Pierson Blvd.

Indio

  • Kimkey Shrimp Seafood Boil, 82-485 Indio Blvd.

  • Pablo's Tacos & Beer, 42-425 Jackson St., Suite C113

  • The Cantina, 50-950 Madison St.

  • Sloan's, 81-539 Highway 111

  • Wok Around, 81-599 Highway 111

La Quinta

  • Andalusia Country Club, 59-195 Marbella

  • Rubio's Coastal Grill, 78-447 Highway 111, Suite A

Palm Desert

  • Flor de Jalisco, 42-215 Washington St., Suite G (passed reinspection)

  • Cork Tree, 74-950 Country Club Drive

  • The Daily Grill, 73-061 El Paseo (passed reinspection)

  • Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store, 73-595 El Paseo, Suite B1212

Palm Springs

  • Blaze Pizza, 201 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 110

  • Fuzion Five, 285 S. Palm Canyon Drive, D1

  • Hoo Doo, 285 N. Palm Canyon Drive

  • Peninsula Pastries, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 1

  • Shakey's Pizza Parlor, 155 S. Avenida Caballeros

  • Colony Palms Hotel & Bungalows, 572 N. Indian Canyon Drive

  • Palm Springs Koffi, 650 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way

  • ACE Hotel & Swim Club, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive

  • Riccio's Steak & Seafood, 495 N. Palm Canyon Drive

Rancho Mirage

  • The Club at Morningside, 39-033 Morningside Drive

Note: No restaurant inspections were reported for the week of April 19 through 24 in Coachella and Indian Wells.

This weekly report was compiled using restaurant grading reports from the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, accessible at restaurantgrading.rivcoeh.org/Default.aspx

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 3 Palm Springs restaurants get 'B' health inspection grades