Dead cockroaches, roach feces found at Sacramento restaurant. What else was found?
Sacramento County health inspectors closed four eateries including a Carmichael restaurant after finding a live nymph cockroach “crawling on the salt and pepper shakers,” according to the health report.
Meanwhile, 24 eateries, including a local cafe, received citations for health code violations such as brown residue in the ice machine, a lack of quaternary ammonia test strips and improperly cooled food.
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 an establishment’s 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, May 7, through Wednesday, May 13, as of Thursday, May 14.
If an inspection listed below needs clarification, business owners can email The Sacramento Bee at servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
How to report a business to the health department
For readers who would like to report a local restaurant, food truck or cafe on health violations, they can do so by filing a complaint to the facility’s local environmental health departments.
The local health department is responsible for the initial investigation of consumer complaints regarding foods served or sold at retail food facilities, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Businesses temporarily closed by health inspectors
Denny’s
4441 East Commerce Way, Sacramento
Number of violations: 9
Date: Thursday, May 7
- Health inspectors gave a red placard to the Natomas American diner chain after finding no hot water supply at the time of the inspection.
- The diner’s posted food safety manager certification expired.
- An employee cracked raw eggs, wiped hands on disposable cloth and then touched cooked French toast.
- Brown and black build up was found in the ice machine.
Denny’s was reinspected on Thursday, May 7 and passed with a green placard.
The Sacramento Bee reached out to the diner on Thursday, May 14 for comment but a manager was not onsite.
Royal Cuisine
4132 Manzanita Ave. Suite 400, Carmichael
Number of violations: 17
Date: Friday, May 8
- Sacramento County Health Inspectors gave a red placard to the Carmichael Afghan restaurant after finding more than two dozen cockroaches in the facility including one dying on the refrigerated food prep table and a live nymph cockroach “crawling on the salt and pepper shakers,” according to the health report.
- The hand wash sink on the cook line was lacking a functional soap dispenser.
- A copy of the facility’s valid food manager certificate was not available to view at the time of the inspection.
- The facility’s food handler cards were not available for review.
Royal Cuisine was reinspected on Saturday, May 9 and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the restaurant but could not get a hold of a representative.
Los Langostinos
2236 Northgate Blvd. Sacramento
Number of violations: 14
Date: Monday, May 11
- Health inspectors gave a red placard to the Northgate Mexican restaurant after discovering 19 German cockroaches in various areas of the restaurant including two dead nymphs floating inside the water for a warmer and numerous cockroach feces.
- Consumer advisory statements were missing on the menu for raw oysters and ceviche.
- The facility had two containers without labels on them.
- The kitchen’s probe thermometer was not available.
Los Langostinos had yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
The Bee reached out to the restaurant but could not reach a representative.
Maya’s Taqueria
2700 Broadway, Sacramento
Number of violations: 13
Date: Tuesday, May 12
- Health inspectors gave a red placard to the Curtis Park Mexican restaurant after discovering sewage overflow at the floor sink and floor drain below the dish machine.
- An employee’s personal beverage was sitting in the prep refrigerator.
- A dirty knife was stored on the magnetic knife holder.
- Eggs were stored above uncovered cilantro in the walk-in cooler and raw chicken was stored above the raw beef in the reach-in standing freezer.
Maya’s Taqueria was reinspected the same day and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the restaurant, but a manager was not on site.
Old white debris and light pink slime found in these Sacramento eateries.
Chicken & Waffle
2961 Advantage Way Suite 120, Sacramento
Number of violations: 15
Date: Thursday, May 7
- Health inspectors cited the North Natomas Southern American restaurant after finding ranch dressing and raw chicken breast held above proper cold holding temperatures.
- The facility’s food handler cards were not present for two employees.
- The facility had no cold water being supplied to the handwashing sink.
- One can of degreaser spray was stored above food items in the dry storage area.
Chicken & Waffle was reinspected on Friday, May 8 and received an additional yellow placard for whipped butter on the prep counter measured outside of proper cold holding temperature. The facility was reinspected on Saturday, May 9 and passed with a green placard.
Caballo Blanco
5604 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento
Number of violations: 13
Date: Thursday, May 7
- Health inspectors cited the South City Farms Latino eatery after finding chicken and potatoes improperly cooled.
- The facility’s food handler cards were not available for review.
- Employee water bottles were without the approved lids.
- The hand sink was partially blocked by a wiping cloth bucket.
Caballo Blanco was reinspected on Friday, May 8 and passed with a green placard.
Cafeteria 15L/The Park
1116 15th St., Sacramento
Number of violations: 3
Date: Thursday, May 7
- Health inspectors cited the Downtown Sacramento American restaurant after finding macaroni and cheese in a pan on the stovetop with the burners off, lacking a time as a public health control label.
- Tomato soap in the walk-in cooler was improperly cooling.
- Ranch dressing was measured above proper cold holding temperatures.
Cafeteria 15L/The Park was reinspected on Friday, May 8 and passed with a green placard.
Mast Coffee
2421 17th St. Suite 101, Sacramento
Number of violations: 11
Date: Thursday, May 7
- Health inspectors cited the Land Park cafe after discovering an empty soap dispenser in the kitchen.
- Sliced cheddar cheese, pooled eggs and soft-boiled eggs were all measured below proper holding temperatures.
- The facility was improperly cooling cooked potatoes.
- Facility offers undercooked items without consumer advisory disclosure and reminder for food on the menu.
Mast Coffee was reinspected on Friday, May 8 and passed with a green placard.
Cattlemen’s
9105 West Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove
Number of violations: 10
Date: Thursday, May 7
- Health inspectors cited the Elk Grove steakhouse after finding prime rib measured below proper hot holding temperature.
- An employee was observed touching raw meat with a gloved hand, serving with the same hand with a tong on a cooked steak and touching the plate ready for serving.
- Several employee beverages were without lids on the storage rack.
- A wet stack of plates was on the storage rack for use.
Cattlemen’s was reinspected on Friday, May 8 and passed with a green placard.
Kura Sushi
1600 Ethan Way Suite 10, Sacramento
Number of violations: 2
Date: Thursday, May 7
- Health inspectors cited the Arden Arcade Japanese restaurant after discovering tuna, crab, shrimp and salmon held above proper cold holding temperatures.
- Shrimp tempura, soft shell crab, popcorn shrimp, codfish and tuna sticks lacked labels with date and four-hour discard time.
Kura Sushi was reinspected on Friday, May 8 and passed with a green placard.
Tropeiero’s Grill Brazilian
1111 J St., Sacramento
Number of violations: 18
Date: Monday, May 11
- Health inspectors cited the Downtown Sacramento Brazilian grill after finding the in use bar dishwasher measured at 0 ppm chlorine sanitizer at time of inspection. Proper chlorine sanitization is 50 ppm.
- The tooth of the table mounted can opener was unclean with old white debris.
- The facility’s consumer advisory disclosure was missing from the menu.
- A spray bottle had a faded label.
Tropeiero’s Grill Brazilian had yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
Selland’s Market Cafe
915 Broadway, Sacramento
Number of violations: 11
Date: Monday, May 11
- Health inspectors cited the Land Park cafe after discovering brown residue on the internal panel of the ice machine.
- The water from the premixed faucet in the men’s restroom was measured below proper hot holding temperature.
- The facility lacked quaternary ammonia test strips.
- The handles of knives on the magnetic wall strip were covered in tape.
Selland’s Market Cafe was reinspected on Tuesday, May 12 and passed with a green placard.
Saigon Alley Kitchen & Bar
4630 Natomas Blvd. Suite 150, Sacramento
Number of violations: 12
Date: Monday, May 11
- Health inspectors cited the Natomas Vietnamese restaurant after finding hand-washing station blocked by the rolling cart.
- One tray of rice noodles and egg noodles held above proper cold holding temperature.
- An employee was eating in the kitchen area.
- Old food debris was found inside clean bowls below the prep counter.
Saigon Alley Kitchen & Bar was reinspected on Tuesday, May 12 and received a yellow placard. The restaurant was reinspected on Wednesday, May 13 and passed with a green placard.
El Favorito Taqueria
2281 Del Paso Road Suite 100, Sacramento
Number of violations: 8
Date: Monday, May 11
- Health inspectors cited the Natomas Mexican eatery after finding carne asada was measured below proper hot holding temperature.
- The facility had three expired California Food Handler cards.
- Two cans of personal beverages were submerged in ice inside the ice machine.
- One unlabeled spray bottle was found on the shelves near the griddle.
El Favorito Taqueria was reinspected on Tuesday, May 12 and passed with a green placard.
Jando’s Mexican Food
4591 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento
Number of violations: 13
Date: Tuesday, May 12
- Health inspectors cited the Lawrence Park Mexican eatery after finding condensation in the walk-in cooler dripping into a pan of raw meat.
- Whole cooked beans on the steam table were measured below proper hot holding temperature for less than two hours.
- A cup without a lid was sitting on the prep table and an open bag of Skittles was sitting above the food prep table.
- A single use towel dispenser at the hand wash sink was not functional.
Jando’s Mexican Food had yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
Chef Mak Food
4406 Del Rio Road, Sacramento
Number of violations: 9
Date: Tuesday, May 12
- Health inspectors cited the South Land Park noodle house after discovering missing paper towels and soap at the handwashing sink.
- Deep-fried pork, brisket and pork ear salad were held above proper cold holding temperature.
- Three improper personal drinks were found in the food prep area.
- An employee washed their hands with single use gloves on.
Chef Mak Food had yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
Hillsdale Donuts
5745 Hillsdale Blvd, Sacramento
Number of violations: 8
Date: Tuesday, May 12
- Health inspectors cited the Hillsdale doughnut shop after finding no soap available in the dispenser.
- All food items in the reach-in refrigerator were held above proper cold holding temperature.
- An employee lacked knowledge of proper cold holding temperatures, handwashing sinks and handwashing.
- No person in-charge was available during the inspection.
Hillsdale Donuts had yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
University of Beer - East Sacramento
5090 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento
Number of violations: 12
Date: Tuesday, May 12
- Health inspectors cited the East Sacramento brewery after discovering the facility’s handwash sink at the cook’s line was blocked by a trash can.
- Sanitizer at the kitchen’s dishwasher was measured at 0 ppm chlorine.
- Biofilm was observed inside the soda gun and holster in the bar area.
- The hand sink at the server’s station had low water pressure.
University of Beer - East Sacramento was reinspected on Wednesday, May 13 and passed with a green placard.
Domino’s
7385 Greenhaven Drive Suite 3, Sacramento
Number of violations: 3
Date: Tuesday, May 12
- Health inspectors cited the Pocket pizza chain after finding bagged pasta held above proper cold holding temperature.
- The warewash sink with dishes inside was measured with 0 ppm sanitizer.
- The facility’s food safety certificate was missing.
Domino’s was reinspected on Wednesday, May 13 and passed with a green placard.
Engawa Fusion
7301 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento
Number of violations: 12
Date: Tuesday, May 12
- Health inspectors cited the Florin Japanese restaurant after finding the facility’s restroom lacking paper towels.
- The facility’s staff lacked knowledge on handwashing in the restroom after restroom use and washing hands again after entry into the food preparation areas.
- Raw chicken was stored over-produce in the walk-in cooler.
- A spray bottle on a black rolling cart lacked a label.
Engawa Fusion was reinspected on Wednesday, May 13 and did not receive a placard.
Me’s Kitchen
2610 Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento
Number of violations: 10
Date: Tuesday, May 12
- Health inspectors cited the Arden Arcade Vietnamese restaurant after discovering the handwashing sink obstructed by a plastic strainer and a large trash can.
- A tobacco pack was in storage above the prep table.
- The facility’s California food handler cards were not available for inspection.
- Food debris was found on clean dishes stored on the dry shelf.
Me’s Kitchen has yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
Peet’s Coffee & Tea
2580 Fair Oaks Blvd, Suite 2, Sacramento
Number of violations: 7
Date: Tuesday, May 12
- Health inspectors cited the Arden Arcade coffee shop after finding two carpets stored on the hand sink inside the restroom.
- A gallon of milk inside the ice bath was observed above proper cold holding temperature.
- The facility had two expired food handler cards.
- Aprons were stored in the employee’s restroom.
Peet’s Coffee & Tea was reinspected on Wednesday, May 13 and passed with a green placard.
Los Immortal Taqueria
3131 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento
Number of violations: 15
Date: Tuesday, May 12
- Health inspectors cited the North City Farms Mexican eatery after discovering the handwashing sink fully blocked by food items inside the sink basin.
- A bus bin of raw pork was located on a rack unattended.
- Three to four food handler cards were past expiration.
- An employee drink was found stored in the soda storage cooler.
Los Immortal Taqueria has yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
Taqueria Garibaldi
1841 Howe Ave Suite A, Sacramento
Number of violations: 9
Date: Wednesday, May 13
- Health inspectors cited the Arden Arcade Mexican eatery after finding beans, chorizo and eggs measured below proper hot holding temperatures.
- Shrimp cocktail juice was improperly cooling on the prep counter.
- Three gnats were found within the food prep area behind the bar.
- Raw meat was stored above raw fish and cooked meat in the walk-in refrigerator.
Taqueria Garibaldi had yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
Southside Super
921 V St, Sacramento
Number of violations: 8
Date: Wednesday, May 13
- Health inspectors cited the Southside Park Asian restaurant after finding cooked rice measured below proper hot holding temperature.
- The facility was improperly cooling cooked pork and cooked chicken.
- The paper towel dispenser was empty at the hand sink in the kitchen, but a stack of paper towels was available on top of the adjacent equipment.
- The facility had tongs hanging on the oven handles.
Southside Super had yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
Namaste Saramandu
1148 Fulton Ave. Suite A, Sacramento
Number of violations: 10
Date: Wednesday, May 13
- Health inspectors cited the Arden Arcade Indo-Nepalese fusion restaurant after finding a mobile air cooling unit blocking the handwashing station.
- Cooked chicken was measured above proper cold holding temperature.
- Health inspectors found debris on the can opener tooth.
- Light pink slime was found inside the ice machine.
Namaste Saramandu has yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
Bento Revolving Sushi
8909 Madison Ave. Suite 408, Fair Oaks
Number of violations: 17
Date: Wednesday, May 13
- Health inspectors cited the Fair Oaks Japanese restaurant after finding the handwash sink fully blocked by miscellaneous personal items, a paper bag and a step-ladder.
- Tempura shrimp was stored out of refrigeration above proper cold holding temperatures.
- The facility had no valid food manager certification available.
- Old food accumulation was found on top of the tabletop can-opener.
Bento Revolving Sushi has yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
Steve’s Pizza
3700 J St, Sacramento
Number of violations: 15
Date: Wednesday, May 13
- Health inspectors cited the East Sacramento pizzeria after discovering the hot water temperature at the warewashing sink was below proper hot water temperature.
- The circular pizza screens had excess charred material.
- Flour and old food debris accumulation was found on the floors and equipment.
- A spray bottle containing sanitizer was not labeled.
Steve’s Pizza has yet to be reinspected as of Thursday, May 14.
