Rodent droppings in flour, 80+ roaches. What else closed Sacramento restaurants?
Dead rodents, live cockroaches and a rodent dropping inside a bag of flour caused four Sacramento County restaurants and markets to be shut down last week.
An additional 13 eateries were cited by county health officials for health code violations ranging from mold buildup to a cook wiping their hands on a paper towel from the garbage.
What do these inspections mean?
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations, these are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection, according to the Sacramento County Retail Food Inspection Guide.
A red placard, however, signals “imminent danger to public health and safety” and suspends the health permit until violations are corrected. This could include, but is not limited to, major vermin contamination.
In contrast, a green placard means a restaurant passed inspection. The county performs about 14,000 inspections annually and about 97% of establishments pass, spokesman Ken Casparis previously told The Sacramento Bee.
Approximately 1% of inspections result in a closure, he said.
These were the results of Sacramento County food facility inspections for Thursday, April 9, through Wednesday, April 15, as of Thursday, April 16. If an inspection listed below needs clarification, business owners can email The Sacramento Bee at servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
Businesses temporarily closed by health inspectors
Chima Liquor Store
5049 Franklin Blvd., Sacramento
Number of violations: 4
Date: Thursday, April 9
- Sacramento County health officials shut down the south Sacramento-area liquor store after finding roughly 85 live and dead cockroaches and cockroach egg sacs. Most of the roaches were found around a water heater and near a dairy cooler.
- Inspectors noted about 10 dead drain flies in ice buildup on the walls of a freezer.
- “Black mold-like growth” was found on shelves inside coolers that had been turned off.
- The convenience store had notable dust buildup on the ceiling of its walk-in cooler
Chima Liquor Store was reinspected and received a passing score on Friday, April 10.
A Sacramento Bee reporter reached out to the store for comment Thursday and could not reach a representative.
Arigato Sushi
1608 Howe Ave., Suite A5, Arden Arcade
Number of violations: 14
Date: Friday, April 10
- The Arden Arcade sushi restaurant was temporarily closed due to live and dead cockroaches around the cooks line and two kitchen sinks. Inspectors observed about 24 cockroaches and other “evidence of a vermin infestation.”
- Various “potentially hazardous foods,” including salmon, cooked shrimp and tuna, each measured more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit higher than is permitted.
- An ice machine and a walk-in cooler’s racks had “minor mold-like residues” and “organic buildup,” according to the inspection report.
- Health inspectors found two pots stored on the floor beneath a preparation table.
Arigato Sushi passed a reinspection on Saturday, April 11, after correcting the vermin issue.
When contacted Thursday, an employee for the restaurant said it was fully reopened, but was not able to provide additional comment.
New Rice Bowl & Boba Milk Tea
7416 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael
Number of violations: 4
Date: Saturday, April 11
- The cafe and restaurant was shut down by county officials after they found a dead rodent under the cook line and numerous old rodent droppings inside a bag of flour, on canned foods and on preparation table surfaces.
- A clogged floor sink had water pooling onto floors next to an ice machine.
- Chicken was observed to be cooling improperly, inspectors said.
New Rice Bowl & Boba Milk Tea had initially failed an inspection on Friday, April 10, and it received a green placard after a second reinspection on Monday, April 13.
A representative for the boba shop declined to comment on the closure Thursday.
Goldstar Supermarket
5815 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento
Number of violations: 12
Date: Wednesday, April 15
- Inspectors shut down the Fruitridge Manor supermarket due to a vermin infestation. A dead rodent and more than 100 rodent droppings were found throughout the store, while live and dead cockroaches were around the warehouse’s preparation sink.
- Officials witnessed a fly land on a fish in a self-service ice bath.
- Two ice machines in the seafood department had “black and brown mold-like residue” and “pink and brown slime-like residue.”
- A handwashing sink in the seafood department had no hot water available.
On the same day, the supermarket’s hot food section passed its inspection. Goldstar Supermarket was reinspected and given a green placard on Thursday, April 16.
A Sacramento Bee reporter was not able to reach a representative for the store for comment Thursday.
Sacramento County restaurants cited for slime accumulation, cockroaches
Lotus Fusion
1620 West El Camino Ave., Suite 148, Sacramento
Number of violations: 12
Date: Thursday, April 9
- The Natomas Chinese restaurant was issued a yellow placard after inspectors witnessed a cook rub their nose with the back of their hand and return working without washing hands. The same cook reportedly wiped their hands with a paper towel from the garbage can and continued work without washing their hands.
- A cutting board was placed on top of a garbage can and later returned to storage with other cutting boards without washing.
- Wipe cloths stored across work surfaces did not have any measurable sanitizer in them.
- Inspectors measured a tall container of won tons in a cooler at temperatures higher than considered safe.
Lotus Fusion failed a reinspection on Friday, April 10 after health officials discovered new major violations, but the restaurant received a green placard during a second reinspection on Monday, April 13.
Pizza Twist
1441 Howe Ave., Suite 200, Arden Arcade
Number of violations: 5
Date: Friday, April 10
- County inspectors cited the chain fusion pizzeria for keeping rice, butter chicken and chicken tikka masala — considered “potentially hazardous foods” — outside the temperature ranges considered safe.
- Inside a walk-in refrigerator, the walls, ceilings, wire racks and fan guards all had notable residues, including “organic mold-like growth.”
- A three-compartment sink had two “heavy leaks” under two of the compartments. This was a second repeat violation, according to the inspection report.
- All the kitchen equipment, including a pizza oven, panini press and in refrigerators, had accumulated old food residue.
Pizza Twist passed a reinspection on Monday, April 13.
Viva Supermarket
3845 Marysville Blvd., Sacramento
Number of violations: 13
Date: Friday, April 10
- The Del Paso Heights supermarket received a yellow placard after inspectors found multiple containers of soup, meat dishes and cooked beans measured outside the temperature ranges considered safe.
- A kitchen handwashing sink was blocked by a 5-gallon bucket stored in the basin.
- Two household microwaves were found in separate food preparation areas. This was a third repeat violation.
- A refrigerator, a deli cooler and display warmers had no thermometers monitoring their ambient temperatures.
Viva Supermarket failed a reinspection on Saturday, April 11 for similar violations. The store later passed a second reinspection on Monday, April 13.
Super Tortas Chilangas
5045 Franklin Blvd., Sacramento
Number of violations: 17
Date: Friday, April 10
- Health officials cited the south Sacramento-area restaurant for a repeat instance of cockroaches. Live and dead cockroaches, as well as egg cases, were found in the kitchen area.
- Various “potentially hazardous foods,” including grilled peppers and onions, cooked beef and sliced cheese measured far outside accepted temperatures.
- An employee was observed improperly washing their hands by dunking their hands in soapy dish washing water and then drying them off.
- Employees reportedly washed dishes, equipment and other food contact surfaces without using any sanitizer.
- A chest freezer with frozen foods was found stored in a back hallway, which had a leaking roof and was not fully enclosed.
Super Tortas Chilangas failed a reinspection on Saturday, April 11. It had not been reinspected once again as of Thursday, April 16.
Antelope Food & Gas
4311 Antelope Road, Antelope
Number of violations: 13
Date: Monday, April 13
- The Antelope convenience store was cited by county officials for keeping hot foods at temperatures at least 10 degrees cooler than is considered safe.
- A handwashing sink near the front register and food area was “blocked completely with equipment,” according to the inspection report.
- The floor sink near an ice machine was clogged, which was reportedly a repeat violation.
- Inspectors reported the store had no food safety certificate, and an employee lacked food safety procedure knowledge.
Antelope Food & Gas received a green placard after passing reinspection on Tuesday, April 14.
Jimboy’s Tacos
5874 Antelope Road, Suite 285
Number of violations: 11
Date: Monday, April 13
- The Folsom-based chain taqueria location was issued a yellow placard for “potentially hazardous foods,” including queso, ground beef and chicken held at unsafe temperatures.
- A package of frozen beef was not properly submerged underwater while being thawed.
- Inspectors observed nacho chips stored under a hot lamp directly next to a kitchen handwashing sink.
- An employee reportedly did not properly wash a ladle after using, only rinsing it with water and drying it with a paper towel.
Jimboy’s Tacos was reinspected and issued a green placard on Tuesday, April 14.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza
1319 Fulton Ave., Arden Arcade
Number of violations: 9
Date: Tuesday, April 14
- Inspectors cited the Arden Arcade chain pizzeria for having an inoperable cold-top cooler storing “potentially hazardous foods,” including shredded cheese, blue cheese and ranch dressing, macaroni and potato salads and cut tomatoes.
- The hazardous foods each measured more than 10 degrees higher than is considered safe.
- Hot water at a ware washing sink and a preparation sink measured colder than the required minimum.
- A women’s restroom lacked soap and paper towels above a handwashing sink.
The Mountain Mike’s Pizza location failed a reinspection on Wednesday, April 15 for repeat major violations. It had not been reinspected again as of Thursday, April 16.
Taqueria My Jalisco
4307 Elkhorn Blvd., Suite A2, Foothill Farms
Number of violations: 15
Date: Tuesday, April 14
- Sacramento County health officials issued the Foothill Farms taco shop a yellow placard for storing containers of raw meat on the floor.
- An employee reportedly picked up one container of meat on the floor and stacked it inside the other, with the bottom of the container directly touching the raw food.
- A kitchen handwashing sink was “blocked completely” by uncooked meats stored in the basin.
- Taco beef stored on a hot holding grill measured nearly 30 degrees colder than is considered safe.
Taqueria My Jalisco had not been reinspected as of Thursday, April 16.
Pazza Notte
1801 L St., Suite 10, Sacramento
Number of violations: 12
Date: Tuesday, April 14
- The midtown pizzeria received a yellow placard after health officials noted multiple containers of prepared food were too warm to be considered safe.
- Inspectors found two dead manila clams in a preparation cooler in the kitchen. The clams were reportedly stored on melted ice.
- The restaurant did not have pH testing strips to test water used for storing in-use utensils.
- According to the report, the restaurant’s operating permit was expired at the time of the inspection.
Pazza Notte was reinspected on Wednesday, April 15 and passed.
Ziyafath’s Hyderabadi Palace
3830 Northgate Blvd., Sacramento
Number of violations: 17
Date: Tuesday, April 14
- Inspectors cited the South Natomas Indian restaurant for holding hot and cold foods at temperatures outside the safe ranges. A dozen shell eggs were discarded after they measured at 75 degrees.
- Health officials found canisters of chemical furniture polish on a preparation table.
- Bags of onions were found piled on the floor of a dry storage area.
- Hot water throughout the restaurant did not reach the minimum required temperature during the inspection.
Ziyafath’s Hyderabadi Palace had not been reinspected as of Thursday, April 16.
Finnegan’s Pub
1030 Second St., Sacramento
Number of violations: 13
Date: Tuesday, April 14
- The Irish pub in Old Sacramento received a yellow placard after a ware washing machine had no measurable residue of sanitizer after running.
- Inspectors noted “pooling liquid and slime accumulation” inside draft beer coolers and “dark and sticky stains” throughout the bar floor.
- A spray bottle of purple solution across from a deep fryer had no label on it.
- Nacho sauce in a sauce warmer was discarded after it measured more than 40 degrees cooler than required for reheating foods.
Finnegan’s Pub had not been reinspected as of Thursday, April 16.
The Skip’s Fish & Chicken
3291 Truxel Road, Sacramento
Number of violations: 11
Date: Wednesday, April 15
- County health officials cited the South Natomas chicken shop for improperly reheating food, bringing food items to unsafe temperature ranges.
- The restaurant was reportedly using a steam table and a rice cooker for reheating macaroni and cheese, beans, collard greens and other foods, despite the equipment not being designed to reheat food.
- A sink in the kitchen was “completely blocked” from use by a tallow bin and an extra french fry warmer.
- Bottles of bleach were stored improperly on a shelf above food items.
The Skip’s Fish & Chicken had not been reinspected as of Thursday, April 16.
Dry Creek Grill
809 Crystal Way, Galt
Number of violations: 2
Date: Wednesday, April 15
- The golf course restaurant was issued a yellow placard after inspectors found a rodent dropping on top of a sealed container of teriyaki sauce.
- Health officials also found roughly 85 rodent droppings on an unused bar counter, in a dry storage area and in the door of a reach-in cooler at the bar.
- A paper towel dispenser at a restroom’s hand sink was jammed.
Dry Creek Grill had not been reinspected as of Thursday, April 16.
