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.

March 8-14

GREEN

A+ Creperie, 6901 San Antonio NE (March 12)

Aguas Deliciosas, 5701 Gibson SE (March 11)

Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North, 5151 San Francisco NE (March 11)

Bob’s Burgers, 5230 Fourth NW (March 10)

Smothered, 10250 Cottonwood Park NW (March 13) (Class B)

Burrow Cafe, 12501 Candelaria NE (March 9)

Catalyst Coffee, 6010 Coors NW (March 12)

Charity Mom’s Child Care, 833 Gibson SE (March 10)

Cheese & Coffee Cafe, 2679 Louisiana NE (March 12)

Circle K, 1425 University NE (March 9)

Don Sushi, 205 Silver SW (March 11)

El Super, 4201 Central NW (March 10) (Class 4)

Family Dollar, 1416 Eubank NE (March 13)

Fan Tang, 9004 Montgomery NE (March 11)

Federidelfo’s, 9370 Coors NW (March 9)

Hayashi Japanese Steakhouse, 6321 San Mateo NE (March 12)

Kashmir Coffee Lounge, 6565 America's NE (March 12)

La Montañita Food Co-op, 901 Menaul NE (March 9)

Lucky Goose, 3503 Central NE (March 9)

M&M Stores, 1316 Yale SE (March 9)

McAlister’s Deli, 2200 Louisiana NE (March 11)

McDonald’s, 300 Lomas NE (March 11)

Mr. Pho, 6205 Montgomery NE (March 11)

Starbucks, 5151 San Francisco NE (March 11)

Panera Bread, 6500 Holly NE (March 9)

Pit Stop Gas & Food Mart, 1700 Bridge SW (March 12)

Precious Moments Childcare Ctr, 6711 Churchill SW (March 10)

Serendipity Day School, 124 Richmond SE (March 13)

Subway, 8000 Academy NE (March 13)

The Sweet Cup, 3517 Wyoming NE (March 10)

Taco Bell, 12930 Central SE (March 13)

Taqueria Mexicana, 415 Lomas NE (March 12)

Target, 6100 Paseo Del Norte NE (March 13)

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 9935 Coors Bypass NW (March 12)

Walmart Supercenter, 8000 Academy NE (March 13)

Walmart Neighborhood Market, 11001 Menaul NE (March 11)

Wendy’s, 1808 Central SE (March 9)

Wendy’s, 4800 Culture NE (March 10)

Yarling's Pupuseria Salvadoran Restaurant, 4501 Fourth NW (March 11)

LuLu Kitchen, 315 Gold SW (March 12)

YELLOW

Blake’s Lotaburger, 3700 Fourth NW (March 11)

Burrow Cafe, 12501 Candelaria NE (March 9)

Cheese & Coffee Cafe, 2679 Louisiana NE (March 12)

El Super, 4201 Central NW (March 10) (Class 4)

Fan Tang, 9004 Montgomery NE (March 11)

Fastino’s, 3723 Fourth NW (March 10)

Lucky Wok, 4501 Fourth NW (March 11)

Smallcakes: A Cupcakery, 8101 San Pedro NE (March 11)

Thai Spice, 7441 Paseo Del Norte NE (March 12)

RED

Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe, 5200 Eubank NE

The warewashing machine lacked the required chlorine sanitizer to effectively disinfect food contact surfaces. Various food-contact tools throughout the kitchen were found with a buildup of dried food and soil residues. A container used for storing toxic materials was repurposed to store dish soap without being properly labeled. Rice was found held at 125 degrees, falling below the required minimum hot-holding temperature of 135 degrees. Soiled wiping cloths were found stored on counters, oven handles, and clean cups instead of in a proper sanitizing solution. Various sauces in the walk-in cooler were found without the required date markings for tracking their seven-day shelf life. The person in charge failed to demonstrate required food safety knowledge. The spray faucet in the warewashing area and steam wells were found in disrepair, both leaking water during operation. The floor drain lacked an adequate air gap, creating a risk of contaminated water being drawn back into the drinking water system. The ventilation hood system was inadequately collecting grease and condensation, resulting in drips that contaminated the cooking equipment and floors below. Interior intake and exhaust air ducts in the kitchen area were found with debris buildup, requiring cleaning and filter replacement to prevent food contamination. Various items, including minced ginger and portobello mushrooms, were found stored at temperatures as high as 69 degrees exceeding the 41 degrees maximum for safe cold holding. Multiple food items in the walk-in cooler were stored without covers or wrapping. The establishment lacked accessible food temperature measuring devices. The establishment lacked a test kit or device to measure the concentration of chemical sanitizing solutions used for food contact surfaces. The facility lacked designated areas for employee dining and tobacco use, as well as lockers or suitable storage for personal belongings and clothing. The handwashing sink near the warewashing machine lacked an approved hand-drying method, as paper towels were improperly stored in an unapproved, absorbent cardboard box. The chlorine sanitizer in the wiping cloth bucket exceeded the maximum permitted concentration, requiring dilution. An employee failed to wash their hands when required, specifically neglecting to wash before donning new gloves and switching tasks. The establishment failed to provide customers with written notification of major food allergens present in unpackaged foods. An in-use bowl was stored improperly inside a pan of vegetables with the handle directly touching the food. Food service pans in the warewashing area were stacked while still wet instead of being allowed to air-dry. The establishment failed to maintain required temperature logs for safety food items currently in storage. No calibration logs were available to document that temperature measuring devices are being regularly tested for accuracy.

Result: Closure (March 12); re-inspection required (March 12)

Smothered, 10250 Cottonwood Park NW (Class C)

The kitchen can opener had substantial soiled and crusted food buildup on its contact surface. The three-compartment sink and drainboards in the kitchen showed substantial soil accumulation. Approximately 50 to 65 raw eggs were found improperly pooled in containers; raw eggs may only be combined in the amount and in response to a customer's order or for the preparation of a batter to be cooked immediately. Squeeze bottles of sour cream and cream cheese were held without required date markings. The kitchen ventilation system was dripping grease and condensation onto cooking surfaces and the floor. Two unidentified food containers in the back storage room lacked labels with their common names. Gaps around doors connected to the outside showed they were not tight-fitting, failing to properly protect against pests. Food items like cut fruit and cream cheese were held at unsafe temperatures ranging from 50 degrees to 57 degrees. Handwashing sinks in the kitchen and restroom lacked the required instructional signage for employees. The kitchen hand sink was being used to store dirty dishes instead of for handwashing. A food employee was observed preparing food without a required beard guard. The facility was issued a cease and desist for operating without a valid health permit or business registration; the business was operating under Bosque Brewing Co. Debris and soil buildup were observed on walls and floors throughout the kitchen and storage areas. During a pause in use, an ice scoop was stored improperly on top of a soiled ice machine instead of a clean, protected surface. The interiors of the reach-in refrigerator and freezer had substantial soil buildup on non-food contact surfaces. The kitchen was missing base coving, and the wall paneling around the dishwasher was damaged and unsealable. The establishment lacked temperature logs for hot and cold held food items and calibration logs for thermometers.

Result: Closure (March 13); re-inspection required (March 13)

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, 2270 Wyoming NE

Wiping cloth buckets at the kitchen and sales counters contained sanitizer solution failed to meet parameters to effectively kill bacteria. Multiple kitchen utensils and surfaces, including knives and cutting boards, were heavily soiled with grease and food residue. Toxic materials were stored where they could contaminate protective gloves and cup lids. Spray bottles containing degreaser were not labeled with the common name of the chemical. Battered chicken was found held at 72 degrees, well below the required hot holding temperature of 135 degrees. Multiple containers of prepared meats, sauces, and veggies in reach-in coolers lacked required date markings. The person in charge failed to demonstrate basic knowledge of safe hot and cold food holding temperatures. The faucets for both the three-compartment sink and the mop sink were in disrepair with continuous leaks. Cooked pasta was being cooled in a large strainer without the proper methods or logs to ensure it reached a safe temperature quickly. Squeeze bottles of sauce and powdered ingredients were stored in the kitchen without labels identifying their contents. Raw chicken was stored improperly in a reach-in cooler directly above raw beef, creating a cross-contamination risk. Mops, brooms and hoses were stored inside a soiled mop sink, blocking its use and creating a possible contamination source. Significant buildup and debris were observed on walls and floors, particularly behind and underneath kitchen equipment. Portion cup lids were stored directly on the floor instead of the required six inches above the ground. Non-food contact surfaces, including shelving and cooler interiors, were heavily soiled with grease, debris, and raw chicken residue. The establishment lacked required temperature logs for hot and cold held food items and calibration logs for its thermometers.

Result: Closure (March 11); re-inspection required (March 11); unsatisfactory (March 13); re-inspection required (March 13)

McDonald’s, 300 Lomas NE

The wiping cloth container in the back of the house held a chlorine sanitizer solution with zero concentration, failing to meet sanitization requirements. Two ice machines in the facility had an extreme buildup of black and brown slimy organic matter on their food-contact surfaces. Fried jalapeños and dried onions were stored in plastic containers without the required date markings or expiration dates. A floor drain near the back exit was missing its strainer, leaving the plumbing system in a state of disrepair and creating potential health hazards. Floor drains at the front and back ice machines lacked the necessary air gap to prevent the backflow of contaminated water. The establishment's chemical sanitizer test kit was water-damaged and expired, preventing accurate measurement of cleaning solutions. A food employee on the cook line was observed preparing ready-to-eat items with a braided ponytail draped over their shoulder without a proper restraint. An employee failed to wash their hands when required, specifically when switching tasks and putting on new gloves. A soiled mop was stored directly inside an empty bucket instead of being hung to air-dry properly.

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

My Moms, 500 Fourth NW

The ice machine on the west wall had brown and black organic matter buildup near the water distribution area. A wiping cloth container filled with sanitizer was stored on a prep shelf directly next to a bowl of butter, creating potential food contamination. A plastic spray bottle containing an unknown chemical was not properly labeled. A container of cut potatoes in the upright cooler was held without any date marking or expiration indicators. The floor drain under the produce sink was in disrepair with a broken and missing strainer. The floor drain under the produce sink failed to provide the required air gap. No handwashing cleanser available at a handwashing sink. No approved hand-drying provisions, such as disposable towels, were available at a sink used for handwashing. The sink used by employees for handwashing lacked required signage reminding staff to wash their hands. Access to the automatic handwashing station was blocked by a trash receptacle, preventing proper use. An employee was observed wearing unapproved jewelry, a wristwatch, while working on the cook line. A food employee was observed adding garnish to ready-to-eat food without wearing a proper hair restraint. The facility was found to be operating with an expired health permit. Sinks lacked hot water for proper handwashing. An employee failed to wash their hands when switching tasks and putting on new gloves. Employees were observed improperly washing their hands in the produce sink and the three-compartment sink. Stainless steel non-food contact surfaces near the cook line had visible food debris buildup.

Result: Closure (March 10); re-inspection required (March 10); unsatisfactory (March 11); re-inspection required (March 11)

Thai Spice, 7441 Paseo Del Norte NE

Raw shrimp was found improperly thawing in standing water on a sink ledge instead of under cold running water or in the refrigerator. Multiple containers of sauces and cut vegetables in the walk-in cooler were held without required date markings. A cell phone was found stored on the cutting board ledge of a prep cooler, creating a potential source of food contamination. The establishment currently lacks a certified food protection manager on staff as required by local ordinances. Food employees did not possess valid food handler cards or proof of approved food safety training. The person in charge was unable to provide required training records or certifications for the facility's employees. Raw beef and chicken were stored improperly above raw seafood in the cold drawers, creating a risk of cross-contamination. Containers of fried tofu were stored directly on the kitchen floor instead of the required six inches above the ground. Uncovered containers of cucumbers, shrimp, and noodles were stacked directly on top of an uncovered container of raw tempura shrimp. The handwashing sink was used improperly for dumping ice and storing a scouring pad.

Result: Unsatisfactory (March 12); re-inspection required (March 12); conditionally approved (March 12)