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Seven reasons restaurants fail health inspections in Sacramento

Stories by Sacramento Bee journalists, with AI summarization

Health inspections in Sacramento County consistently reveal issues that compromise food safety in restaurants. Common violations include improper food storage, unsanitary conditions, and improper temperature of perishable items, which inspectors often cite as placing food in the “danger zone.” Vermin infestations — cockroaches, rats, and fruit flies — are significant red flag violations, with multiple establishments shut down for active cockroach activity or the presence of rodent droppings.

Plumbing problems, such as sewage backups or the lack of hot water, also prompt closures. While the majority of restaurants pass inspection, those receiving red placards — like the pho spot closed for a cockroach infestation or the doughnut shop with rodent evidence — illustrate the severity of overlooked sanitation practices.

Here is a round up of recent restaurant inspections in Sacramento County. For updates, visit the county health website.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Steve LePage, an environmental health specialist with the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department, demonstrates the procedures of a health inspection at the California State Fair at Cal Expo in July 2018. By Daniel Kim

NO. 1: ARE COCKROACHES COMMON AT SACRAMENTO RESTAURANTS? WHAT CAUSES CLOSURES? HEALTH EXPERT ANSWERS

In Sacramento County, 28 people inspect roughly 15,000 restaurants and food trucks each year. | Published May 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jacqueline Pinedo

NO. 2: BLACK SLIME, MOLD AND MOUSE DROPPINGS: SEE LATEST SACRAMENTO COUNTY INSPECTION REPORTS

The county conducts about 14,000 restaurant inspections each year. | Published September 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez

NO. 3: COCKROACH INFESTATION CLOSES SACRAMENTO COUNTY PHO SPOT. WHAT ELSE DID INSPECTORS FIND?

Huckleberry’s, Black Bear Diner and Fire Wings were among the local restaurants recently cited by health inspectors. | Published September 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez

NO. 4: SACRAMENTO COUNTY INSPECTORS SHUT DOWN 2 RESTAURANTS FOR MOLD, COCKROACHES. WHICH ONES?

Six other facilities were cited for food safety violations ranging from rodent droppings to improperly stored meat. | Published October 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez

NO. 5: 2 SACRAMENTO COUNTY BUSINESSES CLOSED DUE TO MOUSE DROPPINGS, SEWAGE

Health inspectors cited five other local restaurants for safety violations ranging from fruit flies to grease buildup. | Published November 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez

NO. 6: TOWER CAFE IN SACRAMENTO CITED FOR ‘POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS.’ WHAT ELSE DID INSPECTORS FIND?

Sacramento County inspectors shut down a taco restaurant and cited 11 other businesses for health code violations. | Published January 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

NO. 7: SACRAMENTO-AREA MOUNTAIN MIKE’S PIZZA CITED FOR MOLD, IMPROPER CLEANING

Sacramento County health inspectors closed a Thai restaurant due to a drain overflow. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.