Restaurant inspections: Here's how Burrito Stop, Rain Sushi Bar, Zest E Taco scored

Amarillo Globe-News
·13 min read

The Food Establishment Inspection Report is a weekly report that appears Sundays. Information is taken from reports provided by the Environmental Health Department, and individual reports can be viewed from its website, http://amarillo.gov/departments/community-services/environmental-health/foodinspections. A numerical grading system is now being used, with a score of 100 points being equivalent to zero demerits.

  • 100 points – No major violation at the time of inspection

  • 85 points – Considered an average score

  • 70 points or below – Requires re-inspection within 24 hours

  • COS – Corrected on site during inspection

These points correspond to the following letter grades:

  • A – 90 to 100

  • B – 80 to 89

  • C – 70 to 79

  • F – 69 and below

The following establishments had a score of A/100 during a routine inspection:

AFC Sushi United Market #570, 3552 S. Soncy Road.

AMPD, 5461 McKenna Square.

CVS Pharmacy, 7301 Hillside Road.

Creek House Honey Farm, 5005 4th Ave., Canyon.

Market 33, 5811 S. Western St.

Pak A Sak, 2708 S.W. 58th Ave.

Polk St. UMC Child Development, 1401 S. Polk St.

Primrose School of Amarillo Southwest, 4535 Van Winkle Drive.

St Andrew’s Episcopal School, 1515 S. Georgia St.

Snack Pak 4 Kids, 24506 S.W. 3rd Ave.

Wonderland Park-Cotton Candy & Drink Stand, 2601 Dumas Drive.

Wonderland Park-Dip N Dots, 2601 Dumas Drive.

Wonderland Park-Funnel Cake, 2601 Dumas Drive.

Wonderland Park-North Mobile Unit, 2601 Dumas Drive.

Wonderland Park-South Concession Stand, 2601 Dumas Drive.

X-Bar Steakhouse Catering, 9181 Town Square Blvd, Suite 131.

The following establishments had a score of A/100 during a follow-up inspection:

Allsup’s #102363, 800 23rd St., Canyon.

Big Texan Starlight Ranch-Baby Bar, 1415 Sunrise Drive.

Big Texan Starlight Ranch-Bar, 1415 Sunrise Drive.

Humphrey’s Highland Elementary, 3901 S.E. 15th Ave.

Lupita’s Express, 2403 Hardin Drive.

Mochinut, 1915 Washington St., Suite 300.

Phillips 66, 9525 E. I-40.

Pizza Hut, 3404 N.E. 24th Ave.

Subway #7429-212, 3300 E. I-40.

Yoli’s Kitchen, 12103 Tanglewood Road.

These establishments received the following scores for being out of compliance as stated:

(A/99) ACCDC St Joseph Campus. 4108 S. Bonham St. Chipped/broken floor tiles in main kitchen and employee restroom must be repaired/replaced (repeat violation); acoustic ceiling tiles in restrooms in main building must be replaced (repeat violation); unfinished wood in kitchen with three-compartment sink must be sealed (repeat violation). Correct by 12/06.

(A/94) African Safari, 5945 E. Amarillo Blvd. Dirty strainers stored on clean rack; debris in bottom of unused utensil bin; establishment has changed ownership and must apply for a new permit. COS.

(A/99) Amarillo Town Club Southwest, 7700 Hillside Road. Several surfaces in need of cleaning, including inside of microwave, chili dispenser, inside ice make and the floor. Correct by 12/07.

(A/97) BPO Elks Lodge #923, 932 Clyde St. Back door in kitchen propped open. COS. Lights in kitchen not working; acoustic ceiling tiles in men’s bathroom must be replaced. Correct by 12/12.

(A/97) Best Thai, 210 23rd St., Canyon. Wet rags must be stored in sanitizer solution between uses. COS. Food in reach-in cooler not covered; lid needed for sanitary napkin trash can in employee restroom. Correct by 01/12/2024.

(A/98) Braum’s Ice Cream, 8801 Town Square Blvd. Several hand sinks used for dumping (repeat violation). COS.

(A/91) Braum’s Ice Cream #186, 1101 23rd St., Canyon. Moldy lettuce on produce shelf; soda nozzles and ice cream blenders with old ice cream and mold build-up; coleslaw and macaroni salad on shelf past “Use By” dates. COS. Multiple non-food contact surfaces in kitchen need cleaning. Correct by 10/11.

(B/82) Burrito Stop, 114 S.E. 9th Ave. Multiple foods in walk-in cooler at improper temperature; raw chicken stored above raw beef and cooked chicken; stir sticks must be individually wrapped or in a dispenser (repeat violation). COS. Air gap needed under three-compartment sink; walk-in cooler not holding proper temperature (repeat violation); multiple items with no date or time stickers. Correct by 09/21. Multiple items without a lid or other form of covering; broken reach-in cooler and tortilla maker in facility must be removed; multiple cutting boards deeply scored; old food debris or dust build-up on multiple surfaces including AC unit, vents, walls and floors; dust and grease buildup on vent hood. Correct by 03/12/2024.

(A/96) Domino’s, 301 N. 23rd St., Canyon. Chemical spray bottles on food prep surface (repeat violation). COS. Broken scoop with missing handle stored in seasoning. Correct by 03/10/2024.

(A/93) El Vaquero, 2200 S.E. 3rd Ave. Plumbing under three-compartment sink not draining and overflowing onto ground; hot water valve leaking. Correct by 09/15. Food build-up in cooler (repeat violation); open air duct in kitchen. Correct by 12/11.

(A/98) Firehouse Subs #1749, 3450 S. Soncy Road, Suite 100. Flies in prep kitchen area; five-gallon bucket on floor. COS.

(A/96) Grandma’s Burritos, 8700 Clinton Glen Road, Suite 100. Back door must be self-closing and tight fitting; employee food and drinks must be stored in a designated area; guard inside ice machine needs cleaning; strong sewage smell in women’s restroom. Correct by 01/06/2024.

(A/99) Hils Burger, 1300 23rd St., Canyon. Acoustic ceiling tiles in bathroom must be replaced (repeat violation). Correct by 01/12/2024.

(A/95) Hooters, 8101 W. I-40. Hershey’s chocolate syrup requiring refrigeration after opening not in cooler. COS. Multiple areas with food debris, dust or dirt; ceiling tiles missing and dry wall exposed. Correct by 12/10.

(A/97) IHOP #3003, 1711 E. I-40. Back door propped open; couple of live flies in establishment; raw beef stored above box of ready-to-eat deli ham. COS. Chipped/missing tiles around mop sink. Correct by 12/07.

(A/99) Jason’s Deli, 7406 S.W. 34th Ave. Items stacked wet (repeat violation). Correct by 12/11.

(A/92) Joe Taco Canyon, 502 15th St., Canyon. BBQ sauce on shelf not refrigerated after opening; no sanitizer in dishwasher behind bar. COS. Items stacked wet (repeat violation); mold inside ice machine and in fans in alcohol walk-in cooler. Correct by 12/12.

(A/93) Kabuki Romanza Japanese Steakhouse, 8130 W. I-40. Chemical in spray bottle without label; several food items in coolers without date marks; raw shrimp stored above ready-to-eat foods in standup cooler; dust/debris around hand washing sink in sushi area; excess ice build-up in reach-in freezer. COS.

(A/97) Lupita’s Mexican Food-Mobile, 3321 Bell St., Space M. Raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat items. COS.

(A/99) McDonald’s, 2910 S. Soncy Road. Score card, permit and Certified Food Manager certification not posted. Correct by 12/06.

(A/93) Oishii Sushi & Sake, 2721 Virginia Circle. Raw chicken stored on top of container holding cooked noodles in walk-in cooler; raw shelled eggs stored above produce. COS. Scoop handle touching spice in container; mold beginning to grow on shelves in walk-in cooler; light in walk-in freezer burned out. Correct by 12/06. Household refrigerator and stand-up freezer must be replaced with commercial units or horizontal chest freezer. Correct by 03/07/2024.

(A/96) Palo Duro Creek Golf Course, 50 Country Club Drive, Canyon. Rodent feces under equipment in kitchen; hot dogs thawing in room temperature water in three-compartment sink; heavy mildew build-up inside soda nozzles; need to clean under sink, behind fryer and under shelves (repeat violation). Correct by 09/25.

(A/98) Paramount Terrace Elementary, 3906 Cougar Drive. Door to restroom propped open. COS. New door sweep or weather strip needed on bottom of door to outside of building in the kitchen (repeat violation). Correct by 12/06.

(A/97) Pepperidge Farm Inc., 901 N.E. 3rd Ave. Permits and score cards not posted. Correct by 09/21. Acoustic ceilings in mop/three-compartment room and bathroom must be replaced. Correct by 09/11/2024.

(B/88) Rain Premier Sushi Bar & Lounge, 817 S. Polk St. Multiple chemicals stored on top of customer food products; multiple items with no date or time stickers. COS. Employee items stored next to and above customer food products; dirty cloths in multiple areas of facility; mold growing outside dispenser area of ice machine; multiple items without a lid or other form of covering; thick layer of ice on every inside surface of reach-in cooler and ice cream freezer; containers without handles used as scoops in bins of food; dust on fans in reach-in coolers, walls and ceilings; layers of dust on multiple intake/exhaust vents; sink in women’s bathroom cannot be turned off. Correct by 01/13.2024.

(A/93) Ranchers Store Front, 15891 S. Dowell Road. Reach-in cooler by produce shelf not maintaining proper temperature; internal temperature of meat in display cooler at improper temperature. COS. Selfcloser on front door needs repairing; employee food items in reach-in cooler; bathroom door must be self-closing (repeat violation); missing pipe from under hand sink needs replaced (repeat violation); “Handwashing Only” sign needed above hand sink (repeat violation); BOD test needed for septic system (repeat violation). Correct by 10/07.

(A/98) Region 16 Nelson St Headstart, 1023 N. Nelson St. Torn gasket on reach-in cooler. Correct by 12/22.

(A/96) Saigon Restaurant, 2909 W. I-40. Invoice for pest control must be provided (repeat violation). Correct by 09/14. Mold beginning to grow on fans inside make table cooler by grill (repeat violation); thick layer of grease on vent hood filters (repeat violation); hole in ceiling tile above mop sink needs repairing (repeat violation); all holes in doors and walls going to mechanical room must be repaired (repeat violation). Correct by 11/22. Swai fish cannot be labeled as catfish and needs to be relabeled on the menu (repeat violation). Correct by 02/22/2024.

(A/94) St Joseph School, 4122 S. Bonham St. Sanitizer buckets and sanitizer dispensing from three-compartment sink too weak; hose going to sanitizer bucket needs to be extended; raw shelled eggs stored above ready-to-eat foods in cooler. COS. Gap at exit door next to employee restroom must be sealed; unfinished wood near drains in ware washing room must be sealed (repeat violation). Correct by 12/06.

(A/98) Skips Salsa, 2300 N. Western St. No paper towels at hand sink. COS.

(A/99) Storyland Preschool, 5001 Hillside Road. Residential stove top and oven still in establishment (repeat violation). Correct by 12/10.

(A/92) Subway #41717, 6000 S. Western St. Food prep areas and meat cutter heavily soiled (repeat violation); several areas throughout back of store in need of cleaning (repeat violation). COS. Front reach-in cooler that stores extra food not holding at proper temperature; back hand sink used for dumping. Correct by 09/22.

(A/95) Super 8, 2103 Lakeview Drive. Air gap needed under three-compartment sink; allergen advisory must be posted near food items. Correct by 09/25.

(A/94) Taco Bell #032697, 611 23rd St., Canyon. Potatoes in hot holding unit at improper temperature. COS. Old stained plastic bins for tortilla shells must be replaced (repeat violation); dishes stacked wet (repeat violation); old food debris on equipment on front line; men’s restroom door must be self-closing (repeat violation). Correct by 03/10/2024.

(A/94) Texas Steak Express, 2600 S. Kentucky St. No sanitizer bucket prepared. COS. Hand sink by walk-in not operational (repeat violation). Correct by 09/21. Drain under ice machine draining slowly and must be serviced to prevent back-up. Correct by 12/10.

(A/96) Toot ‘n Totum #9, 5962 S. Soncy Road. Several expired meats in cooler. COS. A few surfaces in need of cleaning, including coffee machines and nacho/chili dispenser. Correct by 12/06.

(A/96) Toot ‘n Totum #24, 14900 FM 2590, Canyon. Food contact sanitizer in spray bottle too strong. COS. Hole in walk-in cooler door exposing Styrofoam underneath (repeat violation). Correct by 03/07/2024.

(A/98) Toot ‘n Totum #78, 3401 S. Soncy Road. Personal items unlabeled and in a cooler with consumer items (repeat violation); ceiling tiles missing. Correct by 12/06.

(A/91) Toot ‘n Totum #97, 950 S. Buchanan St. Multiple chemicals on top of customer food products. COS. All employee items must be stored in a designated area; dirty cloths in multiple areas; thick layer of ice on every inside surface of ice cream freezer; soda machines drain boards with slime build-up and pipes covered in old debris; mold growing around outside edges and inside Icee machines; dust or old food debris on fans in walk-in coolers, reach-in coolers, island units, walls, ceilings, sides of grill, underside of nacho dispenser and door handles (repeat violation); layers of dust on multiple intake/exhaust vents. Correct by 03/12/2024.

(A/96) United Supermarket #530, 3552 S. Soncy Road. Cans on shelves with heavy dents; molded cardboard layer on shelf (repeat violation). COS.

(A/99) United Supermarket #530 Bakery, 3552 S. Soncy Road. Build-up of food debris under freezer shelves. COS.

(A/99) United Supermarket #530 Deli, 3552 S. Soncy Road. Some areas with build-up of dirt and dust. COS.

(A/98) Verdure Bar, 5701 Time Square, Space 100. No sanitizer test strips. COS.

(A/95) Verdure Café, 5701 Time Square, Space 100. Eggs stored directly over raw bacon (repeat violation); no sanitizer test strips. COS.

(A/93) Waffle House #1239, 2108 S. Western St. Waffle mix and biscuits sitting below raw meat and raw eggs; build-up on nozzles of soda machine dispensers; build-up of dirt, dust and/or food debris in multiple areas. COS. Flies in back of house; light in dry storage area burned out and light shield broken. Correct by 12/11.

(A/94) Ware Living Center, 1510 S. Van Buren St. Hand sink in server station used for dumping; several cutting boards heavily scored (repeat violation). Correct by 02/05/2024. All utensils used as scoops must have a handle and be stored inverted; a few surfaces in need of cleaning including can opener and cling wrap container in front of order window in server stations (repeat violation). Correct by 04/26/2024.

(A/97) X-Bar Steakhouse, 9181 Town Square Blvd, Suite 131. Several containers stacked wet. Correct by 12/06.

(B/83) Zest E Taco, 1010 E. Amarillo Blvd. Tomatoes, onions, etc. on ice at improper temperature. COS. Eggs stored above vegetables in a reach-in cooler; a P-trap is needed below sinks in kitchen; no date markings on foods; no soap at hand sink; grease trap lid broken and removable. Correct by 09/15. All wet rags must be stored in sanitizer solution between uses; Chorizo stored in plastic bags; build-up behind guard of ice machine; ice scoop laying in a self-dispensing ice machine. Correct by 12/10.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo Food Establishment Inspection Report for Sept. 17, 2023