During the latter part of May, Orange County Health Inspector James Scales went to 22 food service businesses and gave out four perfect scores. Most of the scores were in the 90s and three were in the 80s. Two businesses tied for the lowest score with 85. They were the Exxon Food Mart on Interstate 10 West and Church’s Chicken on Interstate 10 East. The Exxon Food Mart had a sign next to the toilet instructing people to put used toilet paper in the trash can instead of flushing it. Scales said he ordered the sign to be immediately removed.
The perfect scores went to the Star and Crescent Moon Cafe in Shangri La Gardens, Traditions Daycare on Highway 62 in Orange, Fresh Prep on West Roundbunch Road in Bridge City, and Family Dollar on North Main Street in Vidor.
Scales also made pre-opening inspections with no scores for Bobcat Snowcone Stand on FM 105 in Orangefield and Yahweh’s Buffet on Highway 12 in Mauriceville.
Scores and demerits are:
Pilot Travel Center, 2205 Highway 62 in Orange: 99. Floors inside the walk-in cooler needed to be cleaned of old food and trash.
Texas Country Store, 1805 Texas Avenue in Bridge City: 99. Ceiling tiles were damaged. Dust build-up was on all air vents.
Pizza Hut, 580 North Main Street in Vidor: 98. Storage shelves needed to be cleaned of old food. Water was coming up from floor tiles near sink mop. The outside storage building needed to be cleaned and organized.
Market Basket Deli, 2005 Texas Avenue in Bridge City: 98. Fryers needed to be cleaned of old grease. Floors needed to be cleaned of old foods. Floor drains needed to be cleaned more often of old food and dirt.
CVS Pharmacy, 290 Strickland Drive in Orange: 97. The reach-in freezer had ice build-up along the door and on products. Needed to be repaired. The inside reach-in cooler under the milk and eggs needed to be cleaned.
Best Western Plus, 165 East Courtland Street in Vidor: 97. Paper towels were needed at the hand-washing station. Several gnats were on bananas.
Holiday Inn Express, 20691 Interstate 10 West in Vidor: 96. Cooked eggs were not at proper temperatures. Gnats were found throughout.
Dollar General, 1390 North Main Street in Vidor: 96. The hot water faucet was missing inside the employee restroom. Inspector found “lots of spider webs” along the walls and ceilings inside the store. Ceiling tiles were damaged or missing. Back storage area needed to be cleaned and organized.
Carl’s Jr., 288 Strickland Drive in Pinehurst: 95. Walk-in freezer had ice build-up on storage shelves, walls and motor. Gnats were in the back storage area. Employee drink was sitting on a storage shelf without a lid and straw. Floors and equipment throughout restaurant needed to be cleaned of old foods. Standing water was under the drink station with live electrical wires.
Market Basket, 2005 Texas Avenue in Bridge City: 95. Inspector pulled several expired foods from shelves. Floors inside the walk-in cooler needed to be cleaned of old foods. Damaged ceiling tiles were throughout the store. Back storage room needed to be cleaned and organized.
Donut Hole, 1613 16th Street in Orange: 94. Sausage and eggs were not at proper temperatures. Store did not have a record of time for holding kolaches out at room temperatures.
Mi Casa Mexican Grill, 110 Strickland Drive in Orange: 93. White cheese was not at proper temperatures. Restaurant was cooling cooked beans on top of the counter instead of in an ice bath. Dates were needed on products inside the reach-in coolers.
The Fajita Factory, 2198 Texas Avenue in Bridge City: 92. Ice scoop was laying inside the ice machine and needed to be stored inside a container or with the handle up inside the machine. Products needed dates inside the coolers and freezers. The hand-washing station did not have soap or towels. Management corrected immediately. Employee drinks were improperly stored without a lid and a straw.
Sonic Drive In, 3103 North 16th Street in Orange: 89. Slime was inside the ice machine. Store was not sanitizing dishes–employee was found only rinsing off old foods on dishes. Hand sink was dripping water. Lots of flies were throughout the store. Employee drinks and phone charges were not properly stored. All foods needed to be covered inside the coolers and freezers. Area around the fryers needed to be cleaned of old grease. Floors, walls, and ceilings throughout the store needed to be cleaned of old foods. Floor grout was missing. Inspector said the score does not reflect the condition of the store and he will make follow-up visits.
Exxon Food Mart, 7120 Interstate 10 West in McLewis: 85. Fajita beef and Spanish rice were not at proper temperatures. Mold was on all drink dispensers. Ice scoop was laying on top of the ice machine. Chemicals were stored on food storage shelves. Dates were needed on products. Kitchen did not have a hand-washing sink (sink was in storage room). Back storage room needed to be cleaned of broken or unused equipment. Store had sign saying not to throw toilet tissue inside the toilet and to use the trash cans next to the toilet. Inspector ordered sign to be removed. Follow-up visits will be made.
Church’s Chicken, 7409 Interstate 10 East in Orange: 85. Inspector found old, brown lettuce. Storage shelves were rusted where clean dishes were stored. Dates needed on products. Front reach-in cooler was holding water. Employee drink was sitting on top of a cutting board. Food was stored on the floor in the walk-in freezer. Outside dumpster needed to be cleaned of old trash. Vent-a-Hood area, area around fryers and floors throughout needed to be cleaned of old foods. Inspector required the cleaning immediately. Store was missing ceiling tiles and floor grout. Inspector said score does not reflect the condition of the store and he is requiring follow-up visits.
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