SLO County restaurant inspections: Paso Robles spot risks closure for missing health permit

Kaytlyn Leslie
·5 min read

One local restaurant didn’t have a health permit. Another was still making food in a shed, and other eateries had troubles with broken dishwashers.

Those were some of the notable conditions San Luis Obispo County health inspectors found in March during hundreds of 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 86 inspections SLO County Environmental Health employees conducted in March.

Paso Robles restaurant operating without health permit faces closure

Though Cali Grill in Paso Robles only lost five points during its initial inspection, it was the only local establishment in March to be ordered to be reinspected.

According to the inspection notes, the Paso Robles restaurant lost two points for allowing employees to use tobacco products in areas of the facility where such use could contaminate the food.

The eatery lost the rest of the points for having a broken fridge handle, lights out in the hood system, a leaking faucet and no food handler cards or food managers certification available on site, an inspector said.

The restaurant also notably was operating without a health permit, according to the inspection notes.

Owners were ordered to pay health permit fees or the facility would be shut down. A health department representative said as of Wednesday, the restaurant had paid their fees and complied with the violation directives.

What happened with Los Osos spot dinged in February?

March brought the re-inspection of what was previously known as Noi’s Little Thai Takeout in Los Osos.

In February, the owners of the business were dinged when a health inspector noted that the restaurant no longer being operated as a take-out establishment, and instead was being used for food preparation for other restaurants and as a separate food service operator. That business was being conducted out of an unapproved shed, the inspector said.

Owners were told to discontinue use of the shed immediately.

The business was re-inspected March 15, and a health inspector noted that the unapproved shed was still being used for food prep and storage at that time.

The owners were ordered to “promptly and permanently correct noted violation,” the inspector said.

If further inspections were necessary, the health department warned, the business would be charged at an hourly rate.

At its final inspection March 27, health inspectors noted the facility had “returned to compliance in a very timely manner” and that staff were no longer using the shed for food prep.

“Thank you for your hard work and prompt attention to the issues raised during the last inspection,” the inspector wrote in the inspection notes.

Lowest-rated restaurants

These restaurants received scores of less than 90 points during their inspections.

The Tap Room, 1395 Vendels Circle, Paso Robles

Points lost: 13.5

Notes: The pub-style restaurant lost a number of points during its routine inspection in March for problems with its dishwashers, including not having chlorine sanitizer in the machine dispensers. Those offenses were repeat violations, so the restaurant lost additional points. The Tap Room also lost points for not having food handler cards present, not labeling toxic spray bottles and bulk bins, and needing to clean and sanitize empty equipment to remove food debris and grime, according to the inspection notes.

Loading Chute, 6350 Webster Road, Creston

Points lost: 13

Notes: During a routine inspection, the Creston restaurant lost points for having a number of broken appliances and fixtures. This included a broken pizza prep top unit that was holding at 50 degrees Fahrenheit when it should have been either less than 45 degrees or more than 135 degrees, as well as a dishwasher that wasn’t dispensing chlorine. The restaurant was also told to replace the “degrading ceiling” above the cook line, according to inspection notes, and to make sure to store sanitizing cloths in a sanitizing solution when not being used.

Taste Craft Eatery, 810 11th St., Paso Robles

Points lost: 10.5

Notes: During its March inspection, Taste Craft Eatery in Paso Robles got dinged for not having paper towels in the bar area, storing potentially hazardous foods above ready to eat foods and not labeling toxic spray bottles. The restaurant also lost points for having a dishwasher that was not releasing sanitizer, for using sponges on equipment that comes into contact with food and storing personal items on food containers. In addition, the restaurant was ordered to replace a broken light and “provide and maintain an adequate supply of hot potable water (minimum 100 degrees) to all hand wash sinks,” the inspection notes said.

Highest-rated restaurants

These stores and restaurants received scores between 99 and 100, with few to no violations.

San Luis Obispo

  • Jack in the Box No. 3290, 390 Santa Rosa St.

  • Linnaea’s Cafe, 1110 Garden St. (change of ownership inspection)

  • Panda Express No. 861, 789 Foothill Blvd.

  • Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, 840 Foothill Blvd.

  • San Luis Obispo Fast Fill Market, 2000 Monterey St. (change of ownership inspection)

  • Star MSO, Inc., 3 Santa Rosa St.

North Coast

  • Beerwood, 690 Santa Maria Ave., Los Osos

  • Cherry Blossom Asian Market, 950 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos

  • Nautical Bean, 1399 Second St., Los Osos

South County

  • Avila Lighthouse Suites, 550 Front St., Avila Beach (change of ownership inspection)

  • Red Dirt Coffee House, 1142 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande

North County

  • Ale’s Mexican Grill y Marisco’s, 709 Sixth St., Paso Robles

  • Austin Hope and Treana Tasting Cellar, 1585 Live Oak Road, Paso Robles

  • Cass Winery, 7350 Linne Road, Paso Robles

  • J. Dusi Inc., 1401 W. Highway 46, Paso Robles

  • Negranti Creamery, 2989 Limestone Way, Paso Robles

  • Olivas de Oro, 2989 Limestone Way, Paso Robles

  • Shale Oak Winery, 3235 Oakdale Road, Paso Robles

  • The Full Belly Deli, 1718 Commerce Way, Paso Robles