Sacramento County deli, doughnut shop closed for cockroaches. What else did inspectors find?
Sacramento County health inspectors closed down a local deli and a doughnut store after finding live cockroaches and shut down a Chinese restaurant after discovering an active rodent infestation.
Additionally, 15 Sacramento County restaurants received yellow placards due to various safety violations, ranging from dead flies to moldy food.
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations, these are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection, according to the Sacramento County 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.
Sacramento County performs about 14,000 inspections annually, with 97% of establishments passing, county spokesman Ken Casparis previously told The Sacramento Bee.
Approximately 1% of inspections result in a closure, he said.
Here are the results of Sacramento County food facility inspections for Jan. 2 through Wednesday, Jan. 8, as of Thursday, Jan. 9:
If an inspection listed below needs clarification, business owners can email The Sacramento Bee at servicejournalists@sacbee.com. The Bee publishes weekly updates on health inspections across Sacramento County.
Sacramento County deli, doughnut shop closed for cockroaches
Pennisi’s Deli, 1257 J St. in Sacramento, had two violations on Monday, Jan. 6.
Health inspectors shut down a longtime deli in downtown Sacramento after uncovering an active cockroach infestation.
Inspectors found 12 German cockroaches and five cockroach egg masses on the property.
The insects were discovered behind a steam table, under a hot holding unit, next to a deli case, near a two-compartment sink and at the entry to the warewashing room, according to the report.
The deli was also cited for potentially hazardous ingredients at improper temperatures.
Cooked beets, shredded cheese and sliced tomatoes were outside of safe temperatures, the Jan. 6 report said.
Pennisi’s Deli failed a reinspection on Tuesday, Jan. 7, but passed a follow-up inspection on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The deli did not respond to a call for comment on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Jimmy’s Donuts, 748 M St. in Rio Linda, had four violations on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Sacramento County restaurant inspectors closed the doughnut shop after discovering live German cockroaches in multiple areas.
Inspectors found more than 10 adult cockroaches below the coffee machine, along with 10-plus cockroach egg masses.
Another nymph cockroach was discovered below the preparation counter, the report said, and there were Insect egg masses underneath the glass door refrigerator and below the oven.
Additional health code violations included unclean surfaces and damaged property.
According to the report, inspectors saw old food debris on the floor below the fridge and freezer, and witnessed “soiled” cardboard being used as a liner under the flour.
The shop had gaps and holes in its ceiling panels, the reported cited.
The doughnut store was reinspected on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and received a green placard.
The shop had not responded to The Bee’s request for comment as of Thursday afternoon.
Hoi Cin Chinese Restaurant, 9555 Folsom Blvd. in Sacramento, had two violations on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Sacramento County health inspectors closed the Cantonese restaurant due to a couple of major health violations, including rodent droppings throughout the facility.
Inspectors found evidence of vermin activity in eight places throughout the establishment, discovering three rodent droppings in a bowl of panko bread crumbs.
More than 40 rodent droppings were on the clean dish storage shelf and up to 50 were on the floor below the janitorial sink and the prep sink.
Inspectors found more droppings on the floor of the dry food storage room and the lids of dry food storage bins, according to the report.
In addition, restaurant workers had left a bowl of chicken on the cook line for two hours, the report said, allowing it to reach to a dangerous temperature.
This is the second time health inspectors shut down Hoi Cin Chinese Restaurant for rodent droppings in the past month.
The Chinese eatery received a red placard for 15 violations on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Following the Jan. 8 inspection, Hoi Cin Chinese Restaurant passed a reinspection and received a green placard on Thursday, Jan. 9.
It was open for business as of Thursday, a restaurant representative said.
Local restaurants, store cited for dead flies and moldy food
The following Sacramento County restaurants had violations the week of Dec. 12 through Wednesday, Dec. 18, resulting in a conditional pass.
Only the dates of violations are listed. Due to the conditional pass and receipt of yellow placard, a reinspection was or will be conducted within 24 to 72 hours of the inspection. The reports are linked.
For updates on individual restaurants, you can search the EMD website here.
Dillard Store, 9797 Dillard Road in Wilton, had 12 violations on Thursday, Jan. 2.
The convenience store received health citations for major issues including unclean surfaces and improper food storage.
Inspectors spotted a “heavy load of dead flies” hanging from glue traps in the kitchen, the Jan. 2 report said
Residue had accumulated on an ice deflector in the ice machine, according to the report.
Grilled jalapenos and grilled onions were stored on top of a steam table at unsafe temperatures, the report said, and chicken patties and potato wedges were missing time control logs in the display case.
Dillard Store passed reinspection on Friday, Jan. 3.
5 Tacos and Beers, 1627 16th St. in Sacramento, had seven violations on Thursday, Jan. 2.
Health inspectors handed the Mexican restaurant a yellow placard after discovering issues with handwashing stations and food temperatures.
The eatery had no paper towels at both kitchen hand sinks and there was no hand soap at the bar hand sink, according to the Jan. 2 report.
Potentially hazardous ingredients, including chicken and beef in the steam table, were at improper temperatures, inspectors noted.
The restaurant was also cited for employing an worker who did not have valid food manager certification.
5 Tacos and Beers was reinspected on on Friday, Jan. 3, and received a green placard.
Lucky Wok, 1853 Watt Ave. in Sacramento, had 20 violations on Friday, Jan. 3.
Sacramento County health inspectors cited the Chinese restaurant for several health and safety violations.
Inspectors observed several “potentially hazardous ingredients” at unsafe temperatures, including raw chicken, raw pork, fried rice and cooked beef and shrimp, the report said.
The restaurant failed to log the amount of time that fried chicken was left in plastic tubs.
Additionally, inspectors observed cooked noodles being improperly cooled and raw chicken stored near mixed vegetables in the walk-in freezer.
“Heavy grease and soot accumulation” was on the walls and hood in the food prep area, according to the report.
Inspectors noted that dish racks had deteriorated with significant debris buildup.
The Chinese restaurant passed reinspection on Monday, Jan. 6.
Shabu Shack, 606 L. St. in Sacramento, had 21 violations on Friday, Jan. 3.
Inspectors cited the Japanese restaurant for several violations including dangerous holding temperatures and unclean equipment.
The eatery held five pots of broth at room temperature for more than four hours, the report detailed.
Mussels and a bowl of raw beef were thawing at unsafe temperatures on a prep table.
An employee was observed using a meat slicer that was “improperly cleaned between use,” the Jan. 3 report said.
Shabu Shack’s menu did not have consumer advisories for items with raw or undercooked ingredients, according to the report.
In addition, there was grease buildup beneath a kitchen hand sink and “old spills and debris accumulation” on the floor under the soda machine.
The restaurant received another yellow placard during a reinspection on Monday, Jan. 6
Shabu Shack passed reinspection and got a green placard on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Asia Market and Restaurant, 2737 Fulton Ave. in Sacramento, had 26 violations on Monday, Jan. 6.
The establishment received numerous health citations for issues ranging from contaminated food to poor washing procedures and unsafe cooling methods.
Inspectors witnessed carrots placed on the “dirty” side of the sink where “pooling water with old food debris” had accumulated, the Jan. 6 report said.
A moldy onion was in the retail market sales area, the report said.
Employees were only washing dishes in soap and water and were “unaware of (the) sanitizing step, according to the report.
Inspectors noticed beef, lamb and beans unsafely cooling on the prep table.
Several areas were unclean with old food debris and residue, including the inside of a microwave and the floor drain underneath a prep sink.
The market and restaurant was reinspected and received a green placard on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
La Soga Taqueria, 7233 East Pkwy. in Sacramento, had 12 violations on Monday, Jan. 6.
The Mexican restaurant was cited for unclean surfaces, grease accumulation and a blocked handwashing station.
A big food bucket inside the kitchen sink made it impossible to employees to wash their hands, the report said.
Cooked pork was measured at a dangerous temperature after resting in a fridge that was not cold enough for multiple hours.
Inspectors discovered “old food debris build-up” on the meat slicer blade and housing, according to the report.
Grease had accumulated on the floor underneath the cook line.
The taqueria passed reinspection and received a green placard on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Bollywood Pizza, 6601 Folsom Blvd., Suite 100, in Sacramento, had six violations on Tuesday, Jan. 7
The pizzeria was cited by health inspectors for having unclean surfaces and malfunctioning equipment, among other issues.
Inspectors said cut tomatoes and chicken toppings were at unsafe temperatures in the prep cooler.
An employee was seen using a “visibly soiled” knife to cut pizza, the report said.
“Splash and old food debris” was on the wall behind the pizza cutting table, according to the report.
Additionally, the prep cooler cold top was malfunctioning and was unable to maintain foods below 41 degrees, the report said.
Bollywood Pizza had not been reinspected as of Thursday, Jan. 9.
SF Supermarket, 4562 Mack Road in Sacramento, had 10 violations on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
The Asian grocery store received citations for improperly tagging and storing several seafood items.
Inspectors observed four live giant clams in a water tank without any shellstock identification tags.
More than 20 bags of live Manila clams were being kept in a tank with the same water system as bags of periwinkles, the reported cited.
Two dead fish were spotted in water tanks.
The store was also cited for unsafely thawing frozen fish in prep sinks at room temperature.
SF Supermarket had not been reinspected as of Thursday, Jan. 9.
Frank Fat’s, 806 L St. in Sacramento, had 10 violations on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
The famed Chinese restaurant received a yellow placard for several health and safety violations.
Cooked onions, wontons, fried chicken and raw seafood all measured at potentially dangerous temperatures, according to the report.
Inspectors saw a mound of egg noodles that had been left out on a sheet pan for nearly three hours over the safe cooling limit.
Additionally, five pounds of frozen chicken were improperly thawing at room temperature.
Two employees were seen eating food off of plates on the cook line.
On the restaurant’s soda gun holsters, “slime mold-like accumulation” had started to grow, the report said.
Frank Fat’s was reinspected and received a green placard on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Saigon Alley Kitchen + Bar, 1801 L St., Suite 50, in Sacramento, had nine violations on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
The Vietnamese restaurant received health citations for food at unsafe temperatures and other safety issues.
Cooked chicken, raw beef and brisket measured at potentially dangerous temperatures.
Egg noodles were being stored at room temperature without a logged time stamp.
“Slime mold-like accumulation” was sighted in the soda gun, soda holster and ice machines, according to the report.
Inspectors saw three personal drink containers in the food prep area.
The restaurant passed a reinspection on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Tupi Coffee, 1801 L St., Suite 60, in Sacramento, had five violations on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
The coffee shop received health and safety citations for missing paper towels and a dispenser at a handwashing station.
Inspectors said the cheese bread was missing a time stamp to indicate whether the food was still at a safe temperature.
Household equipment, including a toaster oven, chest freezer and mini fridge, were spotted in the shop, the report detailed.
Tupi Coffee was reinspected and received a green placard on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Beryozka Market, 9791 Lincoln Village Drive in Sacramento, had two violations on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The European grocery store was cited for improper handling of potentially hazardous ingredients and dangerous cooling methods, according to the report.
Inspectors discovered fish nuggets, chicken, cabbage rolls, pork and more inside a hot case that wasn’t set to a high enough temperature.
Chicken liver patties, fish, rice and cabbage filling were being cooled using unsafe methods, the report said.
The market had not been reinspected as of Thursday, Jan. 9.
Naan Twist, 3511 Del Paso Road, Suite 110, in Sacramento, had 13 violations on Wednesday, Jan. 8
Sacramento County health inspectors cited the Indian restaurant for multiple health and safety violations.
Balsamic rice and cooked potatoes measured at unsafe holding temperatures, according to the report.
The eatery had an open container of food in the walk-in freezer directly underneath a frozen condensation leak.
Several kitchen tools, including knives, cutting boards and pizza cutters, had not been washed, rinsed or sanitized in the five hours since opening.
An inspector saw a worker making a pizza while talking on the phone.
Naan Twist had not been reinspected as of Thursday, Jan. 9.
Master Yue’s Tea Palace, 1501 N. C St. in Sacramento, had six violations on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The Chinese tea shop was cited for heath and safety violations after inspectors observed obstructed handwashing facilities and unsafe cooling methods.
Additionally, inspectors witnessed staff prepare dumplings after touching his personal phone.
Employees used the same pair of gloves for multiple tasks, according to the report.
A reinspection had not taken place as of Thursday, Jan. 9.
Kico’s Mexican Food, 2324 Arden Way in Sacramento, had 22 violations on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Inspectors cited the Mexican restaurant numerous violations ranging from vermin activity to unclean surfaces.
Four German cockroaches were discovered on the floor of the kitchen, the report said.
A dead house fly was spotted on a tray holding chips at a server station.
Potentially hazardous foods, including cooked rice, shredded cheese and whipped cream, were all observed at improper holding temperatures.
Inspectors saw a build-up of “old syrup and mold-like residues” on the nozzles of the soda dispenser.
Food debris and old grease had accumulated on the sides of refrigerators, shelves, racks, prep tables, the cook line and equipment throughout the facility, according to the report.
A vape was stored on a shelf next to wine boxes.
The restaurant had not been reinspected as of Thursday, Jan. 9.
