Rodents, roaches and slime. Worst Sacramento restaurant inspections in November
Sacramento County health inspectors closed a local 7-Eleven, a Chinese restaurant and a doughnut shop after discovering dozens of rodent droppings.
Meanwhile, 15 eateries — including a Food Maxx grocery store and Shell gas station — were shut down due to food safety issues ranging from cockroaches and slimy sinks to a leaky roof and a lack of hot water.
In addition, dozens of local eateries received yellow placards in November for a variety of health code violations.
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, with 97% of establishments passing, spokesman Ken Casparis previously told The Sacramento Bee.
Approximately 1% of inspections result in a closure, he said.
The following restaurants received red placards in November, resulting in their temporary closures, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
If an inspection listed below needs clarification, business owners can email The Sacramento Bee at servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
Dining hall closed due to 17 German cockroaches
Mather Dining Hall, 3587 Bleckely St. in Mather, had four violations on Monday, Nov. 3.
Sacramento County health inspectors closed the dining hall after finding more than 17 German cockroaches of various life stages throughout the facility, as well as “many dying cockroaches” on glue boards.
Grated cheese in the walk-in cooler measured outside of proper holding temperatures.
The ambient temperature in the walk-in cooler measured outside of the range considered safe.
There were gaps and cracks at the metal flashing joints throughout the cook lines.
Mather Dining Hall was reinspected on Thursday, Nov. 6, and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the food-serving facility for comment on Thursday, Nov. 6, but the phone number was out of service.
Citrus Heights Mexican restaurant closed for cockroaches
La Fiesta Taqueria, 7951 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights, had 15 violations on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
The Citrus Heights Mexican restaurant was closed after health inspectors found nine live and dead German cockroaches in various areas including rice and bean bulk containers, wire rack storage and the hallway.
Personal coffee beverages were sitting on preparation tables, and a water bottle with an unapproved screw top lid was stored on the wire storage rack.
Sliced tomatoes, cooked beans, shelled eggs and chicken measured in the “temperature danger zone,” the Nov. 4 report said, while other “potentially hazardous foods” were outside of proper holding temperatures.
The facility’s ice machine had “black slime” accumulation, according to the report. The water in the warewashing sink water measured too cold to be considered safe.
Food containers were improperly stacked in the freezer, the bottom of one container touching the food in the other.
There was uncovered broth in the reach-in at the preparation area and uncovered containers of food in the freezer and walk-in refrigerator.
Two buckets of chicken seasoning were stored on the floor under the preparation table, and two buckets of food items were stored directly on the floor in the walk-in refrigerator.
A container with meat was stored on top of a trash can, then placed on top of the preparation table.
La Fiesta Taqueria was reinspected on Wednesday, Nov. 5, and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to La Fiesta Taqueria on Thursday, Nov. 6, but restaurant representatives were not available for comment.
Mouse droppings found at fried chicken restaurant
Tony’s Fried Chicken, 4147 23rd Ave. in Sacramento, had 19 violations on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
Health inspectors closed the Sacramento fried chicken restaurant after discovering about 30 mice droppings on soda syrup boxes, prep tables and a can of tomato puree as well as inside two plastic bins holding paper food trays.
There were also at least 48 droppings in various areas of the restaurant.
Inspectors recommended “aggressive professional pest control to eliminate (the) vermin infestation,” according to the Nov. 5 report.
Inspectors also spotted a dead Turkestan cockroach on an outlet.
Employees lacked food safety knowledge in many areas including holding, reheating and cooking temperatures.
The food safety manager’s certification was not available at time of the inspection. This was a repeat violation.
Health inspectors found an expired California food handler card.
Employees incorrectly used latex gloves for food preparation.
The kitchen restroom lacked paper towels.
Whipped butter measured outside of the temperature range considered safe, and several bags of food were uncovered in the walk-in freezer.
Tony’s Fried Chicken was reinspected on Thursday, Nov. 6, and received an additional red placard due to rodent activity.
On Tuesday, Nov. 25, the chicken restaurant was closed due to a “rodent infestation,” according to the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department.
Tony’s Fried Chicken passed reinspection on Wednesday, Nov. 26, and received a green placard.
The Bee reached out to Tony’s Fried Chicken for comment on Thursday, Nov. 6, but restaurant representatives were not available.
Cockroaches close Sacramento boba tea shop
Aimee Boba Café, 7238 Franklin Blvd. in Sacramento, had 10 violations on Thursday, Nov. 7.
Health inspectors closed the Sacramento boba tea shop after finding five German cockroaches — including two live nymphs “crawling up” the wall by and on the small prep table.
Inspectors also spotted roaches below the three-compartment sink and on the ceiling by the two-door upright freezer.
The milk at the one-door upright cooler was at an improper holding temperature.
The water at the three-compartment sink didn’t get hot enough to be considered safe.
Raw eggs were stored above the produce and sauce containers inside the two-door upright cooler in the kitchen.
The facility’s chlorine test strips available on-site did not accurately measure the sanitizer level.
Aimee Boba Café was reinspected on Friday, Nov. 8, and passed with a green placard.
The Sacramento Bee reached out to the boba shop on Thursday, Nov. 13, but managers were not available for comment.
Sacramento doughnut shop closed due to rodent droppings
Mad Hatter Doughnuts, 900 Second St., Suite C, in Sacramento, had 11 violations on Monday, Nov. 10.
The Sacramento doughnut shop received a red placard after health inspectors found 25 rodent droppings beneath the three-compartment sink, chest freezer and shelving.
The bakery had no handwashing soap at the handwashing station.
A small, unattended bowl of hydrated waffle mix on the prep table measured outside the temperature range considered safe.
Health inspectors observed a staff member skip the required sanitization step after washing a bowl and utensil in the three-compartment sink.
The bakery’s food safety certification was not available for review.
The facility was missing a food handler card for one staff member.
Mad Hatter Doughnuts was reinspected on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the bakery for comment on Thursday, Nov. 13, but employees did not answer the phone.
Mouse droppings, slime at fast food restaurant
Halalz Fast Food & Ice Cream, 906 Second St. in Sacramento, had six violations on Monday, Nov. 10.
Health inspectors closed the Old Sacramento restaurant after discovering approximately 100 mouse droppings in the facility, under the preparation table and inside a bag containing plastic spoons and forks.
The restaurant lacked an employee with food safety manager certification.
Health inspectors found an unlabeled container of food under the prep table in the back storage area.
According to the Nov. 10 report, there was “slime and debris accumulation” in the floor sink beneath the back of the house hand sink, a repeat violation.
There were unapproved chest freezers in the restaurant. This was a third repeat violation.
The facility had no toilet paper in the restrooms. Additionally, both restrooms were in “unsanitary condition” at the time of inspection, the report said.
Halalz Fast Food & Ice Cream was reinspected on Wednesday, Nov. 12, and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the restaurant for comment on Thursday, Nov. 13, but managers were not available.
Elk Grove country club closed for rodent droppings
Valley Hi Country Club, 9595 Franklin Blvd. in Elk Grove, had 10 violations on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Sacramento County health inspectors closed the Elk Grove country club’s kitchen after finding 136 rodent droppings “all throughout the kitchen and bar area,” including under the kitchen sink, below the ice machine and on the bar counters, shelf and drawer.
Lemon cream, shredded chicken and mashed potatoes measured outside of proper holding temperatures.
An employee’s open cup was stored below the service line.
The facility was missing a consumer advisory for food items that may be undercooked.
Health inspectors observed a slow-draining floor drain in the warewashing area and an “overflow of water/wastewater” from the dish machine, the Nov. 12 report said.
Valley Hi Country Club was reinspected on Thursday, Nov. 13, and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the country club for comment on Thursday, Nov. 13, but employees did not answer the phone.
Rodent droppings, urine stains at Sacramento convenience store
Quick Shop Market, 2830 Franklin Blvd. in Sacramento, had seven violations on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
The Sacramento convenience store was closed after health inspectors found 139 rodent droppings throughout the facility including behind a Raisin Bran cereal box, under the candy display and near the water heater.
Additionally, health inspectors found one “gnawed-open bag of flour” and urine stains behind the merchandiser shelves, the Nov. 12 report said.
Inspectors found broken vacuum-seal packaging for hot dogs in the walk-in cooler.
The ice machine chute had an accumulation of “brown slime,” according to the report. This was a repeat violation.
Additionally, there was white scale buildup on the interior walls of the ice machine. The propane tanks by the ice machine were loose, a repeat violation.
There was a gap at the side of the walk-in cooler’s door opening.
The bathroom door was propped open, another repeat violation. Health inspectors spotted holes in the walls behind the water heater.
Quick Shop Market was reinspected on Thursday, Nov. 13, and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the convenience store for comment on Thursday, Nov. 13, but employees did not answer the phone.
Rodents close Elk Grove high school kitchen for second time
Cosumnes Oaks High School Culinary, 8350 Lotz Parkway in Elk Grove, had one violation on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Sacramento County health inspectors closed the Elk Grove high school’s food service area after finding 55 rodent droppings on several locations including lids of to-go boxes under the salad bar and on the floor below the racks in the food equipment storage room.
Health inspectors previously closed the high school’s kitchen on Monday, Nov. 10, due to food safety violations.
Cosumnes Oaks High School Culinary was reinspected on Friday, Nov. 14, and received a green placard.
The Sacramento Bee reached out to the school for comment on Thursday, Nov. 20, but employees did not answer the phone.
Food Maxx grocery store closed due to leaky roof
Food Maxx No. 488, 3291 Truxel Road in Sacramento, had two violations on Thursday, Nov. 13.
The Sacramento grocery store’s kitchen received a red placard after health inspectors found rain leaking from the roof and “actively dripping over” the food preparation sink and on the bakery ovens. This was a repeat violation.
Health inspectors also cited the store due to active roof leaks from rain and catching on the buckets placed in several areas.
The ceiling panels had been removed and some of the existing panels were water damaged and punctured.
Food Maxx No. 488 was reinspected on Thursday, Nov. 20, and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the supermarket for comment on Thursday, Nov. 20, but employees did not answer the phone.
Health inspectors find cockroaches in Vietnamese restaurant
Pho Saigon Bay, 1537 Howe Ave., Suite 220, in Sacramento, had 13 violations on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Health inspectors closed the local Vietnamese restaurant after finding 21 German cockroaches in various stages of life in several areas of the restaurant.
These included on the wall next to the ice machine, on the floor outside the walk-in cooler and around the water knob below the three-compartment sink.
The restaurant was improperly cooling two covered pots of broth inside the back prep room’s walk-in cooler.
Health inspectors found “organic mold-like buildup” in the ice machine, according to the Nov. 13 report.
The handwash sink faucets in the men’s and women’s restrooms were dispensing pre-mixed water that measured too cold to be considered safe. This was a third repeat violation.
The salt and rice bins didn’t have a lid.
Two bags of rice were stored directly on the floor in front of the bulk ingredient bins, and a bag of carrots was on the floor inside the walk-in cooler. This was a second repeat violation.
Seasoned cooking oils were stored on the ground next to bulk ingredient bins, and broth in a large pot was on the floor of the walk-in cooler. These were both repeat violations.
Pho Saigon Bay was reinspected on Friday, Nov. 14, and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the restaurant for comment on Thursday, Nov. 20, but managers were not available.
Rodent droppings, gnaw marks at Sacramento gas station
Jibboom Street Shell, 225 Jibboom St. in Sacramento, had eight violations on Friday, Nov. 14.
Health inspectors closed the Sacramento gas station’s food service area after discovering approximately 50 rodent droppings in the back storage area.
There were also “visible gnaw marks and tears” consistent with rodent activity, the Nov. 14 report said.
The handwashing station didn’t have handwashing soap observed.
There was “slime accumulation” in the ice chute of the ice machine, according to the Nov. 14 report. This was a repeat violation.
There were “old spills” on the floor beneath the soda syrup rack and heavy debris/dust on the lid and door area of the chest freezer, the report said.
The gas station lacked chlorine sanitizer test strips, a repeat violation.
Heavy ice had accumulated inside the chest freezer near the two-compartment sink. An “unused or out-of-repair” glass cooler was near the two-compartment sink, according to the report.
The gas station didn’t have a food safety certificate available for review.
Jibboom Street Shell was reinspected on Saturday, Nov. 15, and passed with a green placard.
The Sacramento Bee reached out to the gas station for comment on Thursday, Nov. 20, but employees did not answer the phone.
Crawling cockroaches found in Carmichael nursing home
Winding Commons, 6017 Winding Way in Carmichael, had nine violations on Monday, Nov. 17.
Sacramento health inspectors closed the Carmichael nursing home’s kitchen after finding 22 German cockroaches in various stages of life including a live adult cockroach “crawling on the wall” by the soap dispenser inside the kitchen.
Inspectors also spotted an adult cockroach “running” on top of the splash guard, according to the Nov. 17 report.
Sliced tomatoes measured outside of proper holding temperature.
The Carmichael nursing home did not have food handler cards available for review during the time of inspection. This was a repeat violation.
There was dust and debris buildup on the slicer stored inside the dry storage room.
Food items including burgers and eggs on the facility’s menu lacked a required consumer advisory.
Inspectors found dust and “black residue buildup” on the shelf beneath the grill and inside an unused oven, the report said.
Soiled cloth was stored on the prep table at the cook’s area.
Health inspectors found an indirect plumbing connection beneath the server’s two-door reach-in cooler lacking a one-inch air gap.
The facility was missing a cove base at the server’s area behind the beverage prep table, ice machine and reach-in cooler.
Winding Commons was reinspected on Tuesday, Nov. 18, and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the nursing home for comment on Thursday, Nov. 20, but managers were not available.
Roaches, rodent droppings at Sacramento supermarket
Goldstar Supermarket, 5815 Stockton Blvd. in Sacramento, had eight violations on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
Health inspectors closed the Sacramento supermarket’s food service area after finding at least 48 cockroaches in various areas of the facility, including roaches crawling on walls and floors.
There was a dead fly on the bottom shelf next to the barbecue case, and a residential fly trap was installed on top of the black three-door upright refrigerator in the barbecue station.
An employee told inspectors that he had been improperly using residential pesticide to kill cockroaches.
Two residential pesticides were beneath the rice cooker in the kitchen.
Meat, chicken bao and tofu lacked proper labels for time as a public control.
There was “old food accumulation on the floor inside the walk-in cooler,” the Nov. 18 report said, as well as “stagnant water” inside.
Only hot water was available at the handwashing sink in the barbecue station.
When Goldstar Supermarket was reinspected that day, inspectors discovered at least 50 rodent droppings in various areas, including on the floor near employee restrooms, behind a two-door Pepsi refrigerator and behind the popping boba drinks storage area.
Other issues included “old meat residue” at the cut plate and blade housing and “black mold-like residue” inside the ice machine, the Nov. 18 reinspection report said.
However, the grocery store passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the supermarket for comment on Thursday, Nov. 20, but managers were not available.
Local 7-Eleven closed for mouse droppings, lack of hot water
7-Eleven Food Store, 5101 Marconi Ave. in Carmichael, had 14 violations on Friday, Nov. 21.
Sacramento County health inspectors closed the convenience store’s kitchen due to a lack of hot water at the three-compartment ware washing sink.
There were approximately 30 “old mouse droppings” inside the wooden cabinet covering the electrical panel, according to the Nov. 21 report. However, there was no sign of an active infestation.
The toilet paper dispenser in the employee restroom was empty. This was a repeat violation.
The food manager’s certificate was expired at the time of inspection.
A personal carton of chocolate milk was stored over retail beverages in the walk-in refrigerator.
The front counter at the handwashing sink was partially blocked by a trash can.
A chicken skewer at the front counter warmer measured outside of proper holding temperatures, a repeat violation.
7-Eleven Food Store was reinspected on the same day and passed with a green placard.
The Sacramento Bee reached out to the store for comment on Wednesday, Nov. 26, but employees did not answer the phone.
Sacramento catering company closed due to cockroaches
Hannibal’s Catering, 8141 37th Ave. in Sacramento, had 11 violations on Monday, Nov. 24.
Health inspectors closed the Sacramento catering company after discovering a dozen live German cockroaches in various areas including by the faucet and under the water valved of the handwashing sink.
“One adult cockroach with egg sac attached” was spotted “crawling beneath the handwash sink next to the three-compartment sink,” the Nov. 24 report said.
“Many fly strips with 50-plus dead flies” hung above areas where equipment and pans were stored in the warehouse area, according to the report.
The water in a handwashing sink measured too hot to be considered safe.
Several food contact surfaces had “old food debris” and “black slime accumulation,” the report said, including on the metal baffle inside the ice machine, a can opener tooth and a meat slicer blade.
Many food boxes were stored on the floor inside the walk-in freezer, and there was “heavy ice buildup” beneath the freezer’s condenser.
There was “heavy slime and grease accumulation” beneath the side table by the dishwasher.
Hannibal’s Catering was reinspected on Tuesday, Nov. 25, and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the catering company for comment on Wednesday, Nov. 26, but a manager was not available for comment.
Sacramento Chinese restaurant shut down for rodent droppings
New China Ocean, 8484 Florin Road, Suite 170, in Sacramento, had four violations on Monday, Nov. 24.
Health inspectors shut down the Sacramento Chinese restaurant after finding 40 rodent droppings in several areas including the dry storage area and along the wall near the door, stove and preparation table in the main kitchen.
Additionally, the restaurant had 25 dying German cockroaches, the Nov. 24 report said, with about 15 “actively moving” on glue traps in the main kitchen.
Batter for chicken, dumplings, cooked pork and raw chicken inside the two-door cooler and on the prep top cooler measured outside of proper holding temperatures.
The tin cutter blade had “old food debris,” according to the report.
A paper bag of flour was on the floor of the dry storage unit.
The prep cooler, under the three-compartment sinks, had a “heavy presence of old food debris,” the report said.
New China Ocean was reinspected on Tuesday, Nov. 25, and passed with a green placard.
The Bee reached out to the restaurant for comment on Wednesday, Nov. 26, but employees did not answer the phone.
Rancho Cordova Mediterranean restaurant closed
California Halal Grill, 11354 White Rock Road in Rancho Cordova, received a red placard by Sacramento County health inspectors.
Health inspectors closed the Mediterranean restaurant due to a food safety violation, although no specific reason was reported, according to the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department.
The Bee reached out to the business for comment on Tuesday, Dec. 2, but employees did not answer the phone.
This story was originally published December 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
