Taco truck closed again. Here are Thurston County food safety scores for Nov. 22

The Olympian staff
·7 min read

Comments are taken directly from the latest Thurston County Public inspection reports, which are available for each food establishment, at the Thurston County Environmental Health Office and their website. For questions concerning these reports, contact the health office at 360-867-2667.

Report restaurant, grocery store, deli or bakery complaints online via the complaint form here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/phss/Pages/eh-problem.aspx.

Reading inspection scores:

  • Attention should be given to the type of violation (red versus blue) and whether the establishment has a history of red violations or repeat violations.

  • Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illness and must be corrected immediately if feasible or according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: not keeping food at the right temperature.

  • Blue violations relate to the overall cleanliness and condition of operation and must be corrected according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: a worn floor that needs replacing.

  • If red points exceed 45, the county will require a re-inspection within 10 business days.

  • If red points exceed 100 and there’s a lack of managerial control, the county will shut down the establishment for at least 72 hours. The establishment may reopen after management and employees complete retraining and demonstrate corrective action during a re-inspection.

  • Some common abbreviations: PHF/TCS is potentially hazardous food/time control for safety; RTE is ready to eat; PIC is person in charge; FWC is food worker card; CDI is corrected during inspection.

Tacos California Downtown #3

1302 Tracey St. SE, Lacey (Commissary)

Food truck parked at 728 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia

Nov. 3: 115 red points; 10 blue points.

Comments:

  • The facility was operating without adequate refrigeration. A sole prep unit was not functioning, resulting in an “imminent health hazard.” The facility was closed for at least 72 hours and until the unit was properly repaired.

  • The person-in-charge was not maintaining active managerial control of risk factors as demonstrated by high-risk violations.

  • A worker did not wash their hands after leaving their station, touching trash and returning to their station. An employee did not remove soiled gloves and wash their hands before returning to food service.

  • The hand sink basin was unavailable because it stored utensils.

  • Beans cooled on the truck were at 42 degrees rather than at or below 41 degrees.

  • Tomatoes on the counter were held at 52 degrees.

  • TCS foods in a prep unit were greater than 41 degrees.

  • Thermometers were not used to verify food temperatures.

  • The operator was not in compliance with their permit. The facility conducted cooling and disposed of waste in a manner that was improper or not approved. Catering services were actively conducted on the truck, which was not approved.

  • A sanitizer solution was not made at the time of inspection.

  • An inspector previously closed Tacos California in October for numerous violations, some of which the owners disagreed with.

Safuras Mediterranean Cuisine

4160 Sixth Ave. SE, Unit 103, Lacey

Nov. 8: 80 red points; 15 blue points.

Comments:

  • The person in charge was not maintaining active managerial control of risk factors as demonstrated by high-risk violations.

  • An employee did not wash their hands after doing activities with gloves on.

  • The food prep sinks were stocked as hand sinks and used as such. A hand sink did not have a splash guard.

  • Soup was found to be cooling at greater than 2 inches deep while covered. Multiple TCS foods were covered and above 41 degrees.

  • Food items in the walk-in cold hold were above 41 degrees.

  • A thermometer was not used to verify food safety temperatures.

  • The walk-in cold hold was not properly maintaining safe temperatures.

  • An ice machine interior was dirty with a mold-like substance.

  • Visibly soiled cardboard was used as shelving support.

Da Nang Restaurant

116 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia

Nov. 8: 75 red points; 13 blue points.

Comments:

  • Food worker cards were expired.

  • Various equipment was stored in a hand wash sink. The sink also was blocked by a bucket and unused cooker-burner. No paper towels or dispenser was available.

  • Chopped cooked pork was cooled in 1-gallon tubs rather than in 2-inch-deep pans.

  • Wide rice noodles above a stove were at 125 degrees. Boba pearls on a counter were at 56 degrees. Chopped cut pork was at 119-156 degrees. Tofu in prep fridge was at 51-65 degrees.

  • Two large grocery bags of frozen chicken were found thawing at room temperature on a prep table. Such foods must be thawed in refrigeration or in cold running water.

  • The inspector noted there was evidence of insects in the kitchen.

  • The dish-washing machine did not provide any chemical sanitizer at the final rinse cycle.

Subway

4055 Martin Way E., Olympia

Nov. 6: 75 red points; 12 blue points.

Comments:

  • The person in charge was not maintaining active managerial control of risk factors, such as validating food temperatures, ensuring proper hand washing and more.

  • An employee washed their hands for less than 20 seconds.

  • An electric slicer and manual slicer were dirty with visible food debris.

  • TCS meatballs reheated to less than 135 degrees before being placed in hot hold.

  • TCS food items on prep line and in walk-in cold hold were above 41 degrees.

  • A thermometer was not used to take food safety temperatures. Cold hold units had inaccurate or malfunctioning thermometers.

  • A prep cold hold unit was not functioning properly.

  • A new sanitizer solution was not made the day of the inspection. A dispenser was in disrepair.

  • The storage area light did not work.

Farrelli’s Pizza and Pool Co.

4870 Yelm Highway SE, Lacey

Nov. 6: 60 red points; 17 blue points.

Comments:

  • An employee returned to the kitchen and did not properly wash their hands.

  • The bar sink lacked paper towels. The rear hand sink was blocked by a trash can.

  • There was no written policy that required time to be marked or tracked for TCS foods.

  • A can opener was dirty with visible food debris.

  • A sanitizer solution was not strong enough.

  • Chlorine test strips were not used to properly verify whether a ware washing facility was functioning.

  • The rear storage area had puddled water.

Pints & Quarts Ale House

1230 College St. SE, Lacey

Oct. 25: 30 red points; 10 blue points.

Comments:

  • Hand-washing facilities were inadequately maintained. The bar hand sink lacked paper towels. Splash guards were also absent while food utensils and wares were in the splash zone.

  • Food contact surfaces were improperly cleaned. A slicer was dirty with visible food debris.

  • Foods that can be cooked to order were not properly marked on the menu.

  • A residential refrigerator was in commercial use.

  • An ice machine interior was dirty with a mold-like substance.

Hops n Drops

4739 Avery Court SE, Lacey

Nov. 8: 30 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

  • A food worker did not remove their gloves and wash their hands after touching their face.

  • Multiple TCS foods such as shredded cheese and diced tomatoes were at 41-43 degrees in cold hold units rather than at or below 41 degrees.

EZ Foods Olympia

4520 Intelco Loop SE, Suite 4A, Lacey

Caterer Only

Oct. 26: 10 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

  • The caterer was cited for deficiencies related to proper cold holding temperatures as well as properly installed and maintained ware-washing facilities. No inspection notes were provided.

Mariachi Alegre

16605 106th Ave. SE, Yelm

Nov. 9: 10 red points; 11 blue points.

Comments:

  • A chemical sanitizer solution was too strong.

  • Workers did not use proper thawing procedures.

  • Multiple scoop handles touched food. Scoops must be stored outside of food containers on a smooth, easily cleanable, non-absorbent surface.

  • The facility used non-commercial grade equipment.

Meconi’s Italian Subs

111 Tumwater Blvd. SE, Suite 107, Tumwater

Nov. 2: 10 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

  • Sliced cheese on ice was measured at 60 degrees. TCS foods must be cold held at or below 41 degrees.

McDonalds #2913

4640 Whitman Lane SE, Lacey

Nov. 8: 0 red points; 2 blue points.

Comments:

  • A corner wall by the back hand sink was broken, exposing the wall structure.

No violations:

  • Taco Bell #35316 (182 Trosper Road SW, Tumwater)

  • Chipotle Mexican Grill (5116 Yelm Highway SE, Lacey)

  • Domino’s Pizza (515 Custer Way SE, Suite B, Tumwater)