Pests build ‘harborage area’ inside of wooden sushi bar at West Side joint, shutting it down

These are summaries of Albuquerque Environmental Health restaurant inspections. For more information, or to view a searchable database of city restaurant inspections, 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.

April 21-25

GREEN

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, 10000 Coors Bypass NW (April 23)

Azi Store, 7011 Lomas NE (April 24)

Bandido Bakery, 1119 Candelaria NW (April 24)

Blake’s Lotaburger, 12345 Central NE (April 25)

Circle K, 1425 University NE (April 21)

Costco, 500 Eubank SE (April 21)

Craft Republic, 4301 The Lane 25 NE (April 21)

DK, 3801 Central NE (April 23)

Domino’s Pizza, 5920 Holly NE (April 25)

Downtown Child Care Center, 1503 6th NW (April 22)

Einstein Bros. Bagels, 4500 Osuna NE (April 25)

El Sabor De Juarez, 3527 Gibson SE (April 22)

Embassy Suites, 1000 Woodward NE (April 24)

Everest Cannabis Co., 10660 Unser NW (April 22)

Home 2 Suites, 3021 University SE (April 24)

Juanitas Comida Mexicana, 910 4th SW (April 22)

Linda’s Dolci, 8520 Montgomery NE (April 22)

Mountain Mahogany Community School, 5014 4th NW (April 22)

Oasis Cannabis Co., 3730 Coors NW (April 23)

RAWROOT Cafe, 10000 Coors Bypass NW (April 23)

R.Greenleaf Organics, 4414 Menaul NE (April 24)

R.Greenleaf Organics, 5201 Ouray NW (April 23)

Rio Bravo Brewing Co., 1912 2nd NW (April 24)

Sandia Peak Inn, 4614 Central SW (April 23)

Southwest Child Care, 11800 Lomas NE (April 25)

Taco Bell, 2615 San Mateo NE (April 23)

Taco Bell, 2901 Monte Vista NE (April 23)

Tanoan Country Club, 10801 Academy NE (April 24)

VOZ Collegiate Preparatory Charter, 2000 Randolph SE (April 24)

Whole Hog Cafe, 9880 Montgomery NE (April 22)

YELLOW

Einstein Bros. Bagels, 5010 Cutler NE (April 21)

Escuela del Sol Montessori, 1114 7th NW (April 23)

Long John Silver’s, 4720 San Mateo NE (April 24)

Richie B’s Pizza, 7200 Montgomery NE (April 25)

RED

Sushi King, 9421 Coors NW (April 24)

Bulk storage containers in the kitchen were not properly labeled after food items were removed from their original packaging. Working containers, specifically multiple spray bottles, were not properly labeled or identified. No handwashing cleanser was available at the handwashing sink at the sushi bar. Filters or grease extracting equipment in the kitchen make line hood ventilation system were missing and not properly installed. Cutting boards on the clean dish storage rack and prep tables had deep scratches and scoring, which make them difficult to clean and sanitize. Pests had built a harborage area inside a wooden sushi bar that could not be treated. Nonfood contact surfaces such as vent covers in walk-in coolers, drink serving trays, reach-in coolers, storage shelving, and the exterior of the ice machine had a buildup of soil residues, including grease, calcium, dried residue, and soil accumulation. Kitchen staff members handling food were observed without proper hair restraints. The facility has a variance or HACCP for sushi rice acidification, but was unable to provide accurate or available monitoring records at the time of inspection. There was a buildup and debris observed on the facility floors and floor drains. An inadequate air gap was observed at multiple floor drains throughout the facility. Food temperature measuring devices were not provided or readily accessible. No temperature logs were available for all temperature control for safety food items that were stored, thawed, cooled, prepared or displayed. The chlorine solution used to sanitize food contact surfaces in the dish pit failed to meet adequate parameters. Microwave oven cavities and door seals at the make line had deposits of soil residues. Equipment food-contact surfaces, such as the ice machine and a knife on a magnet in the kitchen, had a buildup of soil residues. Ready-to-eat food in the walk-in cooler, specifically shrimp tempura and an unknown food item labeled salmon, exceeded the seven-day holding limit.

Result: Closure; re-inspection required

Whole Hog Cafe, 9880 Montgomery NE (April 23)

Poisonous or toxic materials — specifically, a can of paint — were stored on shelving next to a container of liquid margarine, posing a potential to contaminate food. Employee medication (Ibuprofen) was improperly stored in a plastic bin in direct contact with bags of brown sugar. There was no approved method of hand drying available at the handwashing sink in the food prep and warewashing area. The facility had insufficient hot water. Time/temperature control for safety food, specifically macaroni and cheese, was not held hot enough. The three-compartment sink faucet sprayer was leaking water even when the handle was not activated. Food employees did not have a food handler card or had not been trained in another approved food safety course. Wiping cloths used for sanitizing prep tables and countertops were improperly stored on top of the countertop instead of being kept in a sanitizer container between uses.

Result: Closure; passed follow-up inspection