17 establishments red-tagged in city’s latest inspection report

These are summaries of Albuquerque Environmental Health restaurant inspections. For more information, or to view previous reports, visit cabq.gov/environmentalhealth/food-safety.

GREEN: Food establishment received a passing grade, demonstrating the skills to create a safe and sanitary food-service environment.

YELLOW: Food establishment can operate but must follow a plan to correct violations observed during inspection.

RED: Food establishment had major violations that presented an imminent hazard and required an immediate downgrade or closure.

Aug. 31-Sept. 13

GREEN

A Love For Life, 7534 Bear Canyon NE (Sept. 9)

Advance Fresh Concepts Franchise Corp., 12201 Academy NE (Sept. 3)

Advance Sushi Concepts, 2910 Juan Tabo NE (Sept. 5)

Albertsons, 2910 Juan Tabo NE (Sept. 5)

Albertsons, 12201 Academy NE (Sept. 3)

Albuquerque Nutrition, 2114 Juan Tabo NE (Sept. 10)

Ativo Albuquerque, 4500 Quaker Heights NW (Sept. 8)

Bear Canyon Estates, 4440 Morris NE (Sept. 8)

Bedrock Kitchen, 5333 4th NW (Sept. 9)

Bosque Brewing Co., 2220 Unser NW (Sept. 5) (Class B)

Casa Taco, 4411 Montano NW (Sept. 3)

Central Bodega, 3418 Central SE (Sept. 11)

Chipotle Mexican Grill 2952, 2608 Central SE (Sept. 5)

Choices For Children, 808 Menaul NW (Sept. 4)

Delicias Cafe Kitchen Inc, 6001 San Mateo NE (Sept. 8)

Domino’s Pizza, 2400 12th NW (Sept. 5)

Eastern Child Development Center, 5100 Eastern SE (Sept. 9)

Econo Lodge Old Town, 2321 Central NW (Sept. 11)

Einstein Bros. Bagels, 2510 Central SE (Sept. 3)

El Clan, 1725 Broadway SE (Sept. 10)

Embassy Suites Albuquerque, 1000 Woodward NE (Sept. 5)

Federico’s Mexican Food, 4400 Central SE (Sept. 10)

Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles, 400 Washington SE (Sept. 3)

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 2550 Central SE (Sept. 3)

Garcia’s Kitchen, 3601 Juan Tabo NE (Sept. 11)

Garcia’s Kitchen, 1736 Central SW (Sept. 8)

Golden Pride, 5231 Central NW (Sept. 10)

Golden Pride, 3720 Juan Tabo NE (Sept. 11)

Hotel Andaluz, 125 2nd NW (Sept. 11)

Ironwood Kitchen, 5740 Night Whisper NW (Sept. 2)

JC’s New York Pizza Dept., 215 Central NW (Sept. 4)

Jersey Mike’s, 2608 Central SE (Sept. 5)

Kids World Learning Center, 3501 Coors NW (Sept. 8)

Kinder Care Learning Center, 5101 Montano NW (Sept. 3)

La Michoacana de Paquime, 6500 Zuni SE (Sept. 10)

Lobo Taco, 4520 4th NW (Sept. 11)

Los Pookies, 5626 Menaul NE (Sept. 4)

Lost Cultures Tea Bar, 1761 Bellamah (Sept. 11)

Mariachi Restaurant, 2110 Juan Tabo NE (Sept. 10)

No Reservations, 1248 San Mateo SE (Sept. 11)

Oak Tree Cafe Inc, 4545 Alameda NE (Sept. 10)

Olive Garden, 601 Juan Tabo NE (Sept. 8) (Class B, Class D)

Panda Express, 2820 Central SE (Sept. 11)

Peppermint Stick Preschool, 501 Jefferson NE (Sept. 10)

Range Cafe, 320 Central SE (Sept. 5)

Rex’s Hamburgers, 5555 Montgomery NE (Sept. 8)

Richard’s Mexican Restaurant, 3301 Menaul NE (Sept. 4)

Sandia Ridge Center, 2216 Lester (Sept. 11)

Sonic Drive-In, 5000 San Mateo NE (Sept. 8)

Starbucks, 2550 Central SE (Sept. 3)

Starbucks, 3501 Menaul NE (Sept. 11)

Sushi Freak, 5600 Coors NW (Sept. 3)

Target, 8710 Montgomery NE (Sept. 11) (Class 3)

The Blend, 1800 Unser NW (Sept. 8)

The Canyon Club, 911 Four Hills SE (Sept. 5)

The Melting Pot, 2201 Uptown Loop NE (Sept. 10)

Travel Centers of America, 2501 University NE, (Sept. 11)

Village Inn, 6300 San Mateo NE (Sept. 10)

Walgreens, 2011 12th NW (Sept. 10)

Yarling’s Pupuseria, 4501 4th NW (Sept. 11)

YELLOW

Bear Canyon Estates, 4440 Morris NE (Sept. 8)

Bosque Brewing Co., 2220 Unser NW (Sept. 5) (Class C)

Einstein Bros. Bagels, 2510 Central SE (Sept. 3)

Olive Garden, 601 Juan Tabo NE (Sept. 8) (Class D)

Sonic Drive-In, 5000 San Mateo NE (Sept. 8)

Sushi Freak, 5600 Coors NW (Sept. 3)

Target, 8710 Montgomery NE (Sept. 11) (Class C)

Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, 5117 4th NW (Sept. 10)

Vinaigrette, 1720 Central SW (Sept. 8)

RED

505 Sweet Mini Pancakes, 1402 Broadway SE

No certified food protection manager was on staff. Food employees did not have food handler cards. The person in charge was not knowledgeable about food safety. There was no designated area for employees to eat or drink. No chemical solution was available to achieve sanitization. Food temperature measuring devices were not provided or accessible. Food items in the cold holding unit were above 41 degrees. There was no approved method for hand drying at the handwashing sink. Temperature logs for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods were not available. Calibration logs for temperature measuring devices were not available. A food employee did not wash their hands when required. The indoor ventilation system had debris buildup. The mobile food establishment could not provide a log of visits to its commissary. There was no valid commissary agreement. Working containers for poisonous or toxic materials were not labeled. There was insufficient hot and cold water available. A food employee was observed without proper hair restraints.

Result: Closure (Sept. 11); re-inspection required (Sept. 11)

Albuquerque Job Corps, 1500 Indian School NW

Equipment food-contact surfaces had a buildup of soil residues. Dead pests (cockroaches and mice droppings) were allowed to accumulate in traps. There was an inadequate air gap below the three-compartment sink and cooking vats. The food establishment did not have a certified food protection manager on staff. The ventilation hood system was inadequately collecting grease and condensation, causing drips to occur. Food was not protected from contamination during storage because containers of rice and pinto beans had no lids. There was no thermometer in the reach-in cooler to read the temperature. No food permit was posted at the facility. The three-compartment sinks in the kitchen areas had insufficient hot water, not reaching 110 degrees. There was a buildup of debris on the floors and ceiling vent covers in the kitchen and back stock areas. Nonfood contact surfaces, such as the exterior of ovens and cooking vats, had a buildup of soil residues. The facility had areas in disrepair, including a falling ceiling and missing wall tiles. The food establishment did not have temperature logs available for TCS foods.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Sept. 8); re-inspection required (Sept. 8)

Bedrock Kitchen, 5333 4th NW

There were heavy amounts of rodent droppings throughout the facility. A dead rodent was found in a trap on the exterior wall. There was an inadequate air gap below the three-compartment sink. Doors to the outside were not tight-fitting, allowing light to be seen. Holes and gaps in the structure of the facility allowed pests to enter. There was an accumulation of debris and litter behind the outdoor waste bin. The floors and floor drains had a buildup of debris. Clean single-use cups, lids and trays were stored improperly on the floor in the retail area. Large holes and openings were found in the walls and ceilings, which could be pest entry points or harborage areas.

Result: Closure (Sept. 2); re-inspection required (Sept. 2); unsatisfactory (Sept. 3); re-inspection required (Sept. 3); passed follow-up inspection (Sept. 9)

Delicias Cafe, 6001 San Mateo NE

The chlorine sanitizing solution was too low in concentration in the wiping cloth containers. Food-contact surfaces of equipment like the ice maker, can opener and wedger had a buildup of debris. Unlabeled spray bottles containing cleaning solution were found. An insect electrocution device was installed over a shelf of dishes, which could contaminate them with insect fragments. Dirty wiping cloths were improperly stored on a prep table. Ready-to-eat shredded meat was held past its seven-day limit. A faucet handle at the three-compartment sink was leaking and in disrepair. An inadequate air gap was observed at a utility room and under the three-compartment sink. The back receiving door was not tight-fitting, allowing light to be seen. Boxes of food were stored on the floor in the walk-in freezer. A handwashing sink was used for other purposes, such as discarding fluids and storing food debris and a strainer. Light bulbs had missing covers and a bulb in the walk-in cooler was burned out or missing. An employee was observed wearing a bracelet and watch while prepping food. An employee was observed preparing food without a hair restraint. There was a buildup of debris on floors and walls throughout the kitchen and in the walk-in cooler. No written notification of major food allergens for unpackaged food was provided to consumers. Nonfood contact surfaces, such as a fan in the walk-in cooler and a sink nozzle, had a buildup of dust and debris. There were holes in the ceiling and walls that were in disrepair. The facility did not have temperature logs or calibration logs for temperature-measuring devices.

Result: Closure ( Sept. 8); re-inspection required (Sept. 8); passed follow-up inspection (Sept. 8)

Econo Lodge Old Town, 2321 Central NW

Ready-to-eat omelets and white gravy were not hot held at 135 degrees or above. There was an inadequate air gap at a floor drain near a small kitchen sink. Several food items, including milk, yogurt, shelled eggs and cream cheese, were in a cold holding unit measuring above 41 degrees. The facility had insufficient cold holding equipment to properly hold food cold. The upright cooler temperature was measured at 49 degrees, and the dining upright refrigerator was at 49 degrees. An expired testing kit to measure chemical sanitizing solution was observed. There was no approved method of hand drying at handwashing sinks in the back kitchen. Handwashing signs were missing from the front kitchen handwash station.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Sept. 11); re-inspection required (Sept. 11); passed follow-up inspection (Sept. 11)

Garcia’s Kitchen, 1736 Central SW

The interiors of the ice machines had a buildup of a brown, pink and tan substance. A spray bottle with an unknown bleach water solution was not properly labeled. Several ready-to-eat food items, including chorizo, sausage, beef and chicken, were improperly date-marked. The air vent and air duct in the dough-making area had a buildup of debris and soil. Ready-to-eat ground beef, potatoes, chile and carne adovada in the walk-in cooler were not covered. Several food items in the cold holding unit were above 41 degrees, including cubed ham, green chile, shredded beef and raw beef. An employee’s drink was stored on top of bowls that customers eat out of. A food employee did not wash their hands before donning new gloves and handling ready-to-eat food. There was a buildup of debris behind the beverage and ice station, tables and ice machines. Pans were not allowed to air dry before being stacked together.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Sept. 8); re-inspection required (Sept. 8); passed follow-up inspection (Sept. 8)

Golden Pride, 5231 Central NW

Equipment food-contact surfaces, such as a can opener and food shredder, had a buildup of dry soil and debris. Mice droppings were observed in the receiving area, and no pest control methods were in place. Hot-held food items, including chopped green chile and posole, were below the required 135-degree temperature. Ready-to-eat foods were improperly dated or had concealed dating information on stickers. Doors to the outside were not tight-fitting, and light could be seen around the edges. A coffee cup with a lid was improperly stored on a prep table. A condensation line from the walk-in freezer was conveying sewage water onto the street, creating standing water. There was a substantial buildup of debris and soil on the floors and walls in the kitchen and prep areas. Nonfood contact surfaces, specifically stainless-steel storage racks, had a buildup of caked-on soil.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Sept. 10); re-inspection required (Sept. 10); passed follow-up inspection (Sept. 10)

Great China Chinese Restaurant, 3325 San Mateo NE

The ware wash machine’s chlorine sanitizing solution was at zero parts per million. The can opener and ice machine had an extreme buildup of food debris and soil residues. A spray bottle with an unknown substance was not properly labeled. Ready-to-eat cut vegetables in the walk-in cooler had no date markings. A food employee touched crunchy noodles with bare hands while packaging them. The men’s restroom faucet was leaking and in disrepair. An inadequate air gap was found at the floor drain near the beverage station. The hood vent filters were missing. Grease and condensation were dripping from the hood ventilation system onto equipment. The kitchen and ware wash area had debris buildup in the air ducts. A working container of coffee creamer was not labeled with its common name. Raw meat was found above 41 degrees. Uncovered raw chicken and cut vegetables were stored in the walk-in cooler. A metal scrubbing pad and a drink were improperly stored in the handwashing sinks. The chemical sanitizer concentration in the dining room area was above 200 ppm. A light bulb under the hood vent was burned out. A food employee did not wash hands when switching tasks and donning new gloves. Cardboard was used to cover the kitchen floor. A soiled mop was stored directly on the floor. No consumer advisory was provided for the consumption of raw or undercooked animal products. A food scoop handle was in direct contact with a food item in storage. Nonfood contact surfaces throughout the kitchen had an extreme buildup of food debris and grease.

Result: Closure (Sept. 9); re-inspection required (Sept. 9); unsatisfactory (Sept. 12); re-inspection required (Sept. 12)

Juani’s Kitchen, 5010 Cutler NE

Employee medication was improperly stored on a shelf in the dry goods area. Multiple dead cockroaches were found on a trap under a table in the back prep area. Bags of tamales and containers of green chile stew and posole had no date markings in the walk-in cooler. The handwashing sink was in disrepair because a water knob was missing. An inadequate air gap was noted under the three-compartment sink and a hose was kept inside the mop sink. The facility did not have a certified food protection manager on staff. Food, such as tamales, watermelon and agua frescas, was not covered during storage in the walk-in cooler. There was a buildup of debris on the walls, floors and ceiling in the kitchen area. There were holes in the walls and missing tile in the back areas of the facility.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Sept. 10); re-inspection required (Sept. 10)

Los Pookies, 5626 Menaul NE

Bleach packets and insect killer were improperly stored next to dry food ingredients on a storage shelf. Cooked meats were not hot held at or above 135 degrees. Ready-to-eat foods, including cooked meats with vegetables and aguas frescas, did not have date markings. The plumbing under the three-compartment sinks and at the handwashing sink was in disrepair. Cooked meat in large stock pots was left on a prep table at room temperature, not allowing it to cool at the proper rate. The facility had insufficient equipment to properly cool food, lacking cooling wands and a sufficiently large ice machine. Food employees did not have a food handler card or proof of training. Containers holding salt or sugar were not labeled with the common name of the food. There was no adequate toilet or urinal available for employees. The premises contained unnecessary items, such as dirty and unorganized aprons, tools and old equipment. The facility did not provide a designated area for employees to eat or drink. Food, including pecan aguas frescas, was held in a cold holding unit at 61 degrees. Food temperature measuring devices were not provided or readily accessible. No hand-drying method was available at the handwashing sink in the kitchen. The only handwashing sink in the kitchen was blocked by a plastic bag with items in it. The kitchen handwashing sink had no cold water, and the hot water was 150 degrees, making it impossible to wash hands properly. Employees were observed switching tasks and gloves without washing their hands. There was a buildup of debris around the water heater, under sinks and under kitchen equipment. The facility did not have temperature logs available for TCS foods.

Result: Closure (Sept. 4); re-inspection required (Sept. 4); passed follow-up inspection (Sept. 4)

No Reservations, 1248 San Mateo SE

The ice machine had a buildup of debris. Several ready-to-eat food items, including cut pineapple and infused garlic oil, were held past their discard date. The outdoor grease waste receptacle was uncovered, and it had food and grease debris. No certified food protection manager was on staff. Food employees did not have food handler cards or proof of training. The toilet room used by females lacked a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins. The toilet room door was propped open and did not have a self-closing mechanism. Unused and non-functional items, such as old cold holding units, were cluttering the kitchen and storage areas. The facility did not provide a designated area for employees to eat or drink. The handwashing sink was slow to drain and had a buildup of debris. The quaternary ammonium sanitizer solution in the red bucket was at zero parts per million and the temperature was 68 degrees. An employee was preparing entrees in the kitchen without proper hair restraints. The food establishment did not have temperature logs for TCS food items.

Result: Closure (Sept. 11); re-inspection required (Sept. 11); passed follow-up inspection (Sept. 11)

Rex’s Hamburgers, 5555 Montgomery NE

The ice machine had a buildup of debris. Chemicals such as bleach and glass cleaner were improperly stored on a utensil storage rack. There was an inadequate air gap at the floor drain under the three-compartment sinks. The facility did not have a certified food protection manager on staff. Air conditioning vents had debris buildup. A container of corn chips was not labeled after being removed from its original packaging. Sliced tomatoes and pickles in an upright cooler were above 41 degrees. The handwashing sink was used for discarding drinks. A soiled mop was stored directly on the floor. Nonfood contact surfaces throughout the facility had debris buildup.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Sept. 8); re-inspection required (Sept. 8); passed follow-up inspection (Sept. 8)

Sonic Drive-In, 5000 San Mateo NE

The quaternary ammonium sanitizer solution was too low, measuring 100 ppm and 0 ppm in different locations. Food-contact surfaces on equipment like the wedger, dicer and ice maker had a buildup of food debris and soil. The piping underneath the three-compartment sink was leaking. The drain under the three-compartment sink was missing its protective cover. Air ducts and vents throughout the kitchen had debris buildup. Uncovered food items, including hot dogs, corndogs, frozen cheese sticks, chicken tenders and chicken patties, were found in the upright cooler and freezer. The handwashing sink was being used as a dump sink for drinks. A food employee did not wash their hands before putting on new gloves and switching tasks. Clean stainless-steel pans were stacked while still wet. Nonfood contact surfaces throughout the facility had a buildup of soil residues, including on cup dispensers, walk-in cooler fan shrouds, freezers and computer screens.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Sept. 8); re-inspection required (Sept. 8); conditionally approved (Sept. 8)

Stufy’s, 1107 Candelaria NW

Food-contact surfaces, a can opener and multiple dishes on a storage rack, had food debris. Poisonous materials, such as WD-40 and bleach sanitizer buckets, were stored directly above food items. A sanitizer bucket containing bleach water was unlabeled. Dead cockroaches were observed in the kitchen and dry storage areas, with no pest control methods in place. Cooked ground beef and queso were held past their discard dates. Damaged utensils, including ladles, whisks, a strainer and cutting boards, were observed and needed to be replaced. The person in charge was unable to demonstrate knowledge of reportable foodborne illnesses, temperature control and chemical sanitizer concentrations. A floor drain was missing its protective cover. Green chile was left in a covered stock pot overnight in the walk-in cooler and did not cool to the required temperature. The facility was unable to provide records of training or certification for food employees. Several hood filters were damaged and needed to be replaced. Uncovered hash browns were found in direct contact with frost in the reach-in freezer. Several TCS food items on the prep table, including chopped onions and sliced cheese, were above 41 degrees. Food temperature measuring devices were not provided or readily accessible. Sanitizing solution testing devices were expired. A food employee was observed without proper hair restraints while actively prepping food. Employees did not wash their hands before donning new gloves and changing tasks. There was a buildup of debris on the facility’s floors and walls. No consumer advisory was provided to the public about the risks of consuming raw or undercooked animal products. Bowls being used as scoops were submerged in food because they did not have handles. Aluminum and plastic containers were wet-stacked on the clean dish storage rack. Nonfood contact surfaces had a buildup of soil and grease. The facility did not have temperature logs for TCS foods.

Result: Closure (Sept. 5); re-inspection required (Sept. 5); unsatisfactory (Sept. 10); re-inspection required (Sept. 10)

Sushi Gen, 5210 San Mateo NE

The chlorine sanitizer solution in the sushi bar was at zero ppm. The ice machine had a buildup of soil residues. Bleach and glass cleaner were stored inside a broken cooler with food products. Fried shrimp was not hot held at or above the required 135 degrees, with a temperature of 104 degrees. A container of rice in the under-counter cooler had no date markings. The person in charge was unable to demonstrate knowledge of food safety. An inadequate air gap was found at the floor drain under the upright cooler. The facility did not have a certified food protection manager or food handler cards for employees on staff. Air ducts in the kitchen area had a buildup of debris. Mayonnaise was found in an under-counter cooler at 74 degrees. The facility did not provide a designated area for employees’ personal belongings. A light bulb under the hood in the kitchen was burned out. A food employee was observed without proper hair restraints in the kitchen and sushi bar. The handwashing sink at the sushi bar had no cold water. A food employee did not wash their hands after touching a trash can before prepping food. A soiled mop was stored directly on the floor. There was a buildup of debris on the floors, walls and ceilings throughout the kitchen area. No written notification of major food allergens was provided for unpackaged food. Bowls and cups were stored directly in food containers, touching the food product. The interior of coolers and freezers had a buildup of debris and frost.

Result: Closure (Sept. 11); re-inspection required (Sept. 11)

Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, 5117 4th NW

Rodent droppings were observed in the rear dry storage and utility closet, and no pest control methods were in place. The floor drain next to the ice machine and front handwashing station was not draining properly. There was an inadequate air gap at a floor drain under the soda machine and by the walk-in refrigerator. The person in charge was unable to provide training records or food handler cards for employees. The hood vent filters over the wok station were damaged. Air conditioning vents over the cook line had a buildup of dust and soil debris. The rear door to the outside was not tight-fitting, and light could be seen around the edges. Food items in the reach-in veggie cooler, such as chopped broccoli, onions and cabbage, were above 41 degrees. The facility was operating with an expired permit and was issued a 5-day notice for nonpayment. There was a buildup of debris on the floors and walls around and under the fryers, grills and food prep tables on the cook line. Nonfood contact surfaces, including fryers, grills and equipment handles, were covered in heavy grease and food debris. The food establishment did not have temperature logs available for TCS foods.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Sept. 10); re-inspection required (Sept. 10); conditionally approved (Sept. 10)

Tikka Spice Stackers Burger Mobile Unit, 4321 Ellison NE

The facility did not have a certified food protection manager or food handler cards for employees on staff. Several ready-to-eat foods, such as raw chicken thigh, various sauces and roasted mushrooms, were held past their expiration date. Food-contact surfaces on the can opener, ladle and metal spatula had a substantial buildup of grease, soil and food debris. The faucet handle at the three-compartment sink was leaking and in disrepair. Sanitizing solution testing devices were expired. Hand cleanser was not available at the handwashing sink. The handwashing sink was being used as a dump sink for dishes and had food debris buildup. Various sauces removed from their original packaging were not labeled with their common name. No consumer advisory was provided to inform customers of the risks of consuming raw or undercooked animal products. The hot water heater was not plugged in, so there was no hot water available at the time of inspection. The chlorine sanitizer concentration was too strong, measuring 200 ppm, and old water was found in the wiping cloth container. Stainless steel cleaner was improperly stored on a prep table, where it could contaminate equipment.

Result: Closure (Sept. 9); re-inspection required (Sept. 9); unsatisfactory (Sept. 11); re-inspection required (Sept. 11)