4 restaurants still closed after latest Fresno County health inspection failures

Four Fresno-area food businesses remain closed following inspections from the county’s Public Health Department last month.

One of the businesses was operating without a valid permit.

Two were closed for rodent infestations.

And a third must submit plans for a remodeling of its facility.

In all, 10 restaurants, markets and mobile food trucks failed routine inspections and were closed across Fresno County in September, according the department’s closures report, which is made available online.

While four are still closed, most reopened within days. They include:

* Indus Republic Restaurant. The Indian restaurant in downtown Fresno on F Street was also closed for operating without a valid permit. According to a Sept. 17 report, inspectors found a catering business operating inside the restaurant’s dining room. That business was not permitted to operate at the facility, or within Fresno County, according to the report.

As of Oct. 1, the restaurant had not reopened.

* Circle C Market. The store on Kings Canyon Road in Sanger remains partially closed following a Sept. 9 inspection. It is only allowed to sell prepacked foods. The health department charged the market with a host of violations, including a lack of hot water, which it listed as a reason for the closure.

Additionally, the market is required to submit a plan for the remodeling of its “deep fryer” room.

* China Restaurant #2. The restaurant at Blackstone and Nees avenues near River Park was closed for one day due to a vermin infestation.

* India Bazaar. The restaurant on Shields Avenues near Valentine was closed for several days due to “the condition of the facility (cleanliness)” and the presence of pests. It reopened Sept. 8 after being cleaned and serviced by pest control.

* Oasis Protein. The shop in Sanger, which offers protein-enhanced smoothies, shakes and donuts, was closed for less than a day due to lack of hot water. Hot water is required for restaurants and food business to maintain hand and dish washing and sanitation. It is one of the more common (and easily fixed) health code violations.

* Smokin Woods BBQ. The food trailer that operates in a permanent space behind Tioga-Sequoia Beer Garden closed for two days following its Sept. 2 inspection. Among other violations, the business was operating with an invalid permit and unpaid fees. It also failed to show it was working through an authorized commissary, as is required for mobile food units.

Smokin Woods BBQ opened on Fulton Street in 2022. A permanent building for the restaurant in the works and is expected to be operational within the next month, according to owner James Woodard.

* Star Meat Market. The business on Madera Avenue in Kerman was ordered to close its ice cream operation while it finalizes what is described as a “minor remodel.” This is the second time inspectors have closed the ice cream portion of the shop for being “unapproved/unpermitted,” according to the inspection report. The market has been selling ice cream from the front part of the store since 2024, at least.

* Golden Dragon Restaurant. The Selma eatery was closed Sept. 18 for “lack of hot water and rodent infestation.” It reopened the following day.

* Del Rey Supermarket and Rico Taco. The two businesses that share a building on Morro Avenue were closed following an inspection that found a rodent infestation. They both remain closed, the health department says.

What inspectors look for

The Fresno County Public Health Department has about two dozen environmental health specialists who monitor almost 5,000 restaurants, snack bars, grocery stores, commissaries, delicatessens and food vendors across the county.

They make unannounced visits several times a year.

Restaurants may also get inspected following fires, or in response to complaints or other concerns from the public, including when people report what they believe are health or sanitation issues at restaurants.

When inspectors visit a restaurant or other food service business, there is a lengthy and detailed list of more than 50 things that draw their scrutiny.

That includes whether the business has the proper license or permit (as shown this month), but also things like whether the manager and employees have the required food safety or food-handling certificates; the hygiene of individual employees; temperature control systems (to keep cold food at or below 41 degrees and hot food above 135 degrees); use of proper sterilization for counters, tables, utensils and cookware; the overall cleanliness of a building (are restrooms stocked with supplies, for example) and the proper drainage of sinks and floor drains.

Inspectors chronicle their findings in reports made available to the public in a searchable database online.

In most instances, if an inspector finds a problem, it’s something that can be fixed on the spot. That includes things like having enough bleach or sanitizer in the water used to wipe down food-preparation areas; replenishing soap, paper towels and toilet paper in the restrooms, or reminding employees to wash their hands and wear gloves and hairnets.

Serious violations, which can trigger closure and mandatory reinspections, include things like rat or roach infestations, or a lack of hot water, but also refrigerators that don’t keep food cold enough or steam tables that don’t keep food hot enough to inhibit bacterial growth.

Clogged sinks or drains, can also call for a closure, as contaminated water can back up into kitchens.

The Bee tracks these types of major violations each month.

Nine businesses were temporarily closed in August. For the year, the total number of restaurants and food businesses that been temporarily closed following health department inspections is 63.

This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 5:30 AM.