County Health Inspector James Scales gave poor grades to four food businesses during the first part of March. Three had scores in the 70’s and the Vidor Jack in the Box was the lowest with a 68. Scales noted, though, he went back to the Jack in the Box three hours later and the next day to find big improvements.
He made 28 inspections during the period with four getting perfect scores. Two were for pre-openings and did not have scores.
Lucy’s Café and Bakery on MLK in Pinehurst earned another 100. Others with perfect scores were the Orange County Jail, Little Cypress Elementary School and New Begininz Academy in Orange.
The Jack in the Box, 1315 North Main Street, in Vidor had multiple problems including the employees not washing their hands properly or using gloves in the kitchen. The hand-washing station did not have soap. Foods like vegetables and sauces were not kept on a timer system. An employee was eating on the serving line when the inspector walked up.
Other problems included foods not being covered inside the coolers and freezers. Foods were not dated. Equipment like toasters and fryers were not working properly. Foods were being stored on floors throughout the store. The paper towels in the restroom needed to be in the dispenser. An ice scoop was improperly stored. The Vent-a-Hood, fixed equipment, freezers and coolers needed to be cleaned of old foods. Floors, ceilings and walls throughout restaurant needed to be cleaned of old foods.
The outside dumpster needed to be moved and the grounds cleaned. Also, the certified food manager certificates and the latest health inspection report were not posted in front of the store.
The Guadalajara, 95 Strickland Drive in Orange with the 73 had molded lemons and foods uncovered inside the cooler. An employee was using bare hands to make chip baskets. Meats were stored improperly inside the freezer. Utensils were sitting inside a dirty container. The employee restroom did not have hot water. The restaurant did not have sanitizer test strips. Chemicals were stored improperly. Boxes were stored next to the dumpsters. Old equipment was sitting outside the back door. The store had no food handler certificates. Drink dispensers and the Vent-a-Hood needed to be cleaned of old foods. Also, the permit was not posted in the front.
The Pirates Stop, 1883 North Main Street in Vidor, had a 77 and the inspector reported he closed the deli immediately after finding there was no hot water. Other demerits included expired foods. Foods not covered inside the coolers. Rust was inside the ice machine. The ice scoop was on top of the ice machine. The cappuccino machine and Vent-a-Hood needed to be cleaned of old foods. Dates were needed on products. The restroom did not have paper towels. The mop sink was broken. Drinks were stored on the floor. The dumpster area needed to be cleaned of trash on the ground. No hand-washing signs were posted. The current health inspection report was not posted.
Sunrise Donuts, 2830 Western Avenue in West Orange had the 79 because of demerits like sausage and eggs not at proper temperatures. No record was kept on the time the sausage and eggs were held at room temperature. The hand-washing sink needed soap and a chair was in front of the sink. Foods needed to be covered. Dates were needed on products. Test strips were needed.
Also, foods were stored directly inside plastic grocery bags. The same pan liners were used multiple times to bake kolaches. The oven needed to be cleaned. Lights needed to be replaced and light shields were needed. Ceiling tiles were damaged throughout the store. First aid kit was not on premises.
Other scores and demerits were:
CVS Pharmacy, 485 Texas Avenue in Bridge City: 99. Floors inside the walk-in cooler needed to be cleaned of old foods and trash.
Dollar General, 9692 FM 105 in Orangefield: 98. Spider webs found along walls and light shields. Storage shelves inside coolers needed to be cleaned of old foods.
Dollar Tree, 2013 Texas Avenue in Bridge City: 97. Inspector found several dented cans.
Walmart, 1350 North Main Street in Vidor: 98. Milk was stored on floor inside walk-in cooler. The current health inspection report was not posted.
Walgreen’s, 1408 16th street in Orange: 97. Inspector pulled several expired foods from shelves.
Flava-Foods at LSC-O on Green Avenue in Orange: 97. Restaurant did not have food handler certificates. Signs were needed at hand-washing station. Empty boxes and unused equipment needed to be removed from the kitchen and storage area.
Gonzales Food, Corner of FM 105 and Highway 62 in Orangefield: 96. Bare hands came in contact with ready-to-eat foods. Latest health inspection report was not posted in front of the truck.
Family Dollar, 1301 North 16th Street in Orange: 96. Reach-in freezer had ice build-up on sides. Shelves inside milk cooler needed to be cleaned of old foods. Dumpster area needed to be cleaned of trash on the ground.
Subway, 2637 Texas Avenue in Bridge City: 95. Foods were stored directly on top of each other inside reach-in freezer. Certified food manager certificates were not posted in front of the store.
Whataburger, 1905 Texas Avenue in Bridge City: 94. Sanitized cloth was stored on the prep line. Employee food and drinks were stored improperly inside the reach-in cooler. Several employees had improper jewelry. Vent-a-Hood needed to be cleaned of old grease. Certified food manager certificates not posed in front.
7-Eleven, 527 Highway 87 South in Orange: 92. Inspector pulled several expired foods from shelves. Store name and address were needed on bags of ice being sold. Drinks were stored on the floor inside the walk-in cooler and sales floor. Light shields were needed in back storage room. Current health inspection report and certified food manager certificates were not posted in front of the store.
Country Pantry, 1079 Orange Street in Vidor: 90. Inspector pulled several expired foods from shelves. Store name and address were needed on bags of ice sold from store. Sandwiches inside reach-in coolers needed dates. Inside storage shelves at drink station needed to be cleaned. Trash, a mattress and TV on ground at outside dumpster and needed to be disposed properly. Current health inspection report not posted in front of store.
The Fajita Factory, 2198 Texas Avenue in Bridge City: 88. Beans and salsa were cooling on topo of counter. Chemicals were stored near foods and clean dishes on shelves. Dates were needed on products inside coolers and freezers. Ice, food and cleaning supplies were inside the hand-washing sink. Employee was eating and drinking on prep line. Floors and storage containers needed to be cleaned of old foods. Faucet needed to be repaired at three-compartment sink.
M & S Grocery, 10876 FM 1130 in Orange: 88. Soap was needed inside employee restroom. Drink dispensers needed to be cleaned of mold build-up. Store name and address were needed on bags of ice being sold. Dates were needed on sandwiches. Gasket on ice freezer needed to be replaced. Mold was on the ceiling in the back walk-in cooler. Drinks were stored on the floor inside walk-in cooler and sales floor. Floor tiles were damaged.
Petromart, 4080 Interstate 10 in Orange: 88. Inspector pulled “lots” of expired foods from shelves. Ice scoop was on top of ice machine. Restroom did not have hot water. Store name and address were needed on bags of ice sold from store. Drinks were stored on floor inside walk-in cooler and sales floor. Current food service permit was not posted in front of store. Current health inspection report was not posted in front.
Market Basket Deli, 800 North Main Street in Vidor: 88. White gravy and mashed potatoes were not at proper temperatures. Meats were not stored properly inside reach-in coolers and freezers. Dates were need on products. Heat lamps inside warmer needed to be replaced. Outside of fixed equipment, storage shelves and floors throughout needed to be cleaned of old foods and dirt. Floor tiles were damaged or missing. Inspector recommended more general cleaning.
Market Basket 800 North Main Street in Vidor: 88. Inspector pulled several expired foods from shelves. Containers were placed directly on top of sausage links inside coolers. Foods needed to be covered in meat department. Wood walls were found inside dairy cooler. Utensils were inside hand-washing sink in the meat department. Back storage area and inside walk-in coolers needed to be cleaned of old foods and trash. Current food service permit and current health inspection report were not posted in front of the store.
Shipley donuts, 2913 MacArthur Drive in West Orange: 87. “Outside” bleach was used as sanitizer. Store did not have food handler certificates. Bag of ice was inside hand-washing sink. Several spider webs were found throughout along walls. Employee drinks and food were stored improperly inside coolers and freezers. Same pan lines were used multiple times for kolaches. Vent-a-Hood, storage shelves, floors and walls needed to be cleaned of old foods and grease. Paper towels were needed inside employee restrooms
Social Media