Six businesses 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.

Feb. 1-7

GREEN

Albuquerque Talent Development Academy, 1720 Bridge SW (Feb. 2)

All Seasons Day School, 7700 Zuni SE (Feb. 5)

Blake’s Lotaburger, 2529 Washington NE (Feb. 2)

Carl’s Jr., 6700 Central SW (Feb. 6)

Hotel Chaco, 2000 Bellamah NW (Feb. 5)

Church’s Chicken, 5112 4th NW (Feb. 2)

Circle K, 511 Bridge SW (Feb. 6)

Circle K, 12600 Central SE (Feb. 2)

Circle K, 1401 Coors NW (Feb. 6)

Dutch Bros. Coffee, 2070 Gibson SE (Feb. 6)

ECHO ABQ Food for Seniors, 300 Menaul NW (Feb. 4)

Hibachi One, 3230 Coors NW (Feb. 6)

Icon Cinemas, 13120 Central SE (Feb. 2)

Il Vicino, 3403 Central NE (Feb. 4)

J’s Var-B-Q, 7200 Montgomery NE (Feb. 2)

La Petite Academy Inc., 5701 Redlands NW (Feb. 6)

LFS Culinary Program, 211 Jefferson NE (Feb. 5)

Little Anita’s, 6501 Paradise NW (Feb. 2)

Little Caesars 505, 5555 Zuni SE (Feb. 6)

Little Caesars, 333 Montano NW (Feb. 2)

Lovelace Rehabilitation Hospital, 505 Elm NE (Feb. 2)

Maverik, 3601 Montgomery NE (Feb. 5)

Meso Grill, 1909 Bellamah NW (Feb. 5)

Mission Winery, 3423 Central NE (Feb. 4)

Monroe’s, 1025 4th NW (Feb. 5)

Noah’s Ark Children’s Academy, 4001 Montgomery NE (Feb. 5)

Relish Gourmet Sandwiches, 8019 Menaul NE (Feb. 5)

Restaurant Depot, 1901 Menaul NE (Feb. 2)

Southwest Ice Cream, 2513 4th NW (Feb. 6)

Subway, 800 Juan Tabo NE (Feb. 5)

Taco Bell/KFC, 6810 Central SW (Feb. 5)

Wiles’ Wings, 4100 Central SW (Feb. 2)

Wingstop, 5555 Zuni SE (Feb. 4)

Teddy Bear Daycare, 5820 2nd NW (Feb. 4)

Total Community Care, 904 Las Lomas NE (Feb. 4)

YELLOW

Dutch Bros. Coffee, 2070 Gibson SE (Feb. 6)

Hibachi One, 3230 Coors NW (Feb. 5)

Icon Cinemas, 13120 Central SE (Feb. 2)

Il Vicino, 3403 Central NE (Feb. 4)

La Michoacana del Norte, 1417 4th SW (Feb. 2)

Taco Bell/KFC, 6810 Central SW (Feb. 5)

Twins Childcare, 1216 4th SW (Feb. 4)

RED

Fun Noodle Bar, 5317 Menaul NE

The facility was upgraded from a “closure” to an “unsatisfactory” status because the person in charge (PIC) worked on correcting and repairing the previously observed violations. The facility will remain in “unsatisfactory” status until an inspector returns within five business days to verify that food operations are being conducted safely while the facility is in full operation.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Feb. 2); re-inspection required (Feb. 2)

Ho Ho, 6205 Montgomery NE

The facility demonstrated inadequate procedures to effectively control pests despite having a professional service. Extreme amounts of rodent droppings, as well as signs of nesting, were observed throughout the facility. Raw chicken in marinade combined with ready-to-eat food was not properly date-marked. The floor drain near the handwashing station was found to be slow-draining. The establishment did not have a certified food protection manager on staff. Food employees did not possess valid food handler cards or proof of approved food safety training. The ventilation system above the cooking equipment required cleaning to prevent contamination. Doors leading to the outside were not tight-fitting, allowing light to be visible at the edges. Holes and gaps ranging from half an inch to one inch were observed in the exterior walls. A soiled mop was stored directly on the floor instead of being hung to dry. Nonfood contact surfaces throughout the facility were soiled with extreme grease and food debris buildup. Floors and walls were in disrepair, featuring large holes and missing coving.

Result: Closure (Feb. 3); re-inspection required (Feb. 3); closure (Feb. 6); re-inspection required (Feb. 6)

Pizza Hut, 303 Coors NW

Debris buildup was observed on the interior doors and floors of the walk-in and reach-in coolers, as well as hanging from shelving above prep areas. The facility lacked written procedures for using time as a public health control, leading to the disposal of marinara sauce on the make line. An inadequate air gap was observed below the three-compartment sink. Food employees prepping food did not possess valid food handler cards or proof of approved food safety training. Containers of sweet chile sauce, buffalo sauce, frosting and butter sauce were found uncovered at the wings sauce station and prep area. The required grade sticker was not posted on the facility. The facility was displaying an expired operating permit. A soiled mop was stored directly on the floor of the mop sink instead of being hung to dry. Buildup and debris were found on ceiling vent covers, the carryout window and inside lighting covers throughout the facility.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Feb. 4); re-inspection required (Feb. 4)

Relish Gourmet Sandwiches, 8019 Menaul NE

Substantial food debris buildup was observed on the food-contact surface of the ice machine inside the main kitchen. Wiping cloths were improperly used for cleaning instead of being stored in a sanitizer solution. Ready-to-eat foods like chicken noodle soup and prepared vegetables in the walk-in refrigerator lacked required date markings. The establishment did not have a certified food protection manager on staff. Food employees did not possess valid food handler cards or proof of approved food safety training. Shelving in the kitchen, cashier area and walk-in refrigerator was lined with absorbent materials like cardboard and cloth instead of being smooth and easily cleanable. Ready-to-eat foods were not protected from contamination, with raw animal foods stored near them. A food employee preparing salads inside the kitchen was observed without proper hair restraints. A food employee was observed with an improper twist-top, refillable water bottle above a prep table. An employee failed to wash their hands after drinking from a coffee cup and before continuing work. The facility did not maintain temperature logs for TCS foods like deli meats, vegetables, soups and dairy. Calibration logs for temperature-measuring devices were not available.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Feb. 5); re-inspection required (Feb. 5); passed follow-up inspection (Feb. 5)

Taco Mex Garcia, 5420 Central SW

The meat slicer had dry, caked-on soil, and the ice machine interior showed black and yellow buildup. Two wiping cloths were improperly stored on food contact surfaces instead of in a sanitizer. Ready-to-eat foods, including cooked meats, rice, menudo and salsa, lacked required date markings. Various foods in the walk-in and reach-in refrigerators, such as beef, corn and green salsa, were not covered to prevent contamination. The establishment did not have a certified food protection manager on staff. A container of cooked intestines was stored directly on the prep area floor. A jacket was improperly stored on top of a meat slicer due to the lack of a designated dressing area. The facility did not maintain temperature logs for TCS foods or calibration logs for the pH measuring device.

Result: Unsatisfactory (Feb. 3); re-inspection required (Feb. 3)

Tasty Noodle & Dumplings, 2325 San Pedro NE

The mechanical warewashing machine had 0 ppm chlorine sanitizer, and no other effective sanitizer was in use. Knives stored on the magnetic rack were found with food debris buildup. A spray bottle containing degreaser was not properly labeled with its common name. Raw pork and mixed vegetables were found thawing at room temperature on a bus cart. Wiping cloths were improperly used for wiping hands instead of being stored in a sanitizer. A dozen raw eggs were pooled in a cold holding prep table without being reserved for an immediate order or batter. Various ready-to-eat foods in the walk-in refrigerator, including cut vegetables and tofu, lacked required date markings. An employee was observed handling ready-to-eat ingredients like tortillas and bean sprouts with bare hands. The PIC failed to demonstrate knowledge regarding holding temperatures, illnesses, sanitizer levels and thawing procedures. Leaks were observed at the three-compartment sink faucet and from plumbing inside the walk-in refrigerator. The establishment did not have a certified food protection manager on staff. Food employees did not possess valid food handler cards or proof of approved food safety training. Filters were missing from the kitchen hood ventilation system. Bulk bins containing flour, sugar and MSG were not properly identified with labels. Shelving in the walk-in, kitchen and dish area was improperly lined with cardboard and foil. Raw chicken and eggs were stored above chopped produce and whole vegetables in the walk-in refrigerator. Foods were stored on the floor under leaking plumbing, and a fork was stored inside the ice bin. The toilet room door was not tight-fitting and self-closing, or was propped open. Doors leading to the outside were not tight-fitting, allowing light to be visible at the edges. The facility lacked valid test kits to measure chlorine or quaternary ammonium sanitizer concentrations. There was no designated area for employees to eat, drink, or use tobacco products. A light bulb burned out in the hood ventilation system. Temperature-measuring devices were missing or inaccessible in cold holding units. An employee was observed preparing food without a proper hair restraint. Personal drinks were stored improperly on shelving and prep tables in food preparation areas. Hot water in the restrooms was insufficient, measuring only 59 degrees to 64 degrees. An employee failed to wash their hands when switching between raw and ready-to-eat foods and after touching personal items. Debris buildup was found under the stove, prep tables, and cold-holding units. No written notification regarding major food allergens was provided for unpackaged foods. The laminate and tile flooring in the kitchen was deemed not smooth or easily cleanable. The facility did not maintain temperature logs for TCS foods. Calibration logs for temperature-measuring devices were not available.

Result: Closure (Feb. 4); re-inspection required (Feb. 4)