Rodent droppings, roaches: 7 Fresno-area eateries temporarily closed for July violations
A lack of hot water or other plumbing problems are among the usual suspects when it comes to issues that prompt Fresno County health inspectors to temporarily close a restaurant or other food establishment.
But there are more, um, unappetizing issues that sometimes show up among violations during inspections: things like cockroaches and rodent droppings, for example.
That was the case for several restaurants in Fresno and Clovis in July. Of seven eateries that were ordered closed by health inspectors last month, two were for violations that included live cockroaches and two were for rodent dropping or other evidence of infestations.
One owner decided to close up shop entirely after a poor inspection. At Paris & Tea, located on Cedar Avenue near Shepherd Avenue in northeast Fresno, a July 12 inspection visit discovered not only live cockroaches, but also a lack of hot water, an overall lack of cleanliness at the facility, operating without a valid health permit, and a general lack of food safety knowledge by the operator.
Most food establishments are able to resolve violations within days, or sometimes the same day, and reopen following a successful reinspection. But according to the Fresno County Department of Environmental Health, the owner Paris & Tea decided to close the business.
All of the other six restaurants closed temporarily for violations in July have since reopened. They are:
Healthy Twist Nutrition: The restaurant at Cesar Chavez Boulevard and 7th Street in southeast Fresno was closed following a July 2 inspection because of a lack of hot water at its utensil-washing and handwashing sinks. It was authorized to reopen the next day following a reinspection visit.
DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant: The DiCicco’s location at Herndon and West avenues in northwest Fresno was closed July 10 when an inspection revealed a lack of hot water at handwashing and utensil-washing sinks; an excessive buildup of food debris on cooking equipment and floors; dishwater that did not have sanitizer; and refrigeration units that did not maintain a proper temperature.
Inspectors also observed live cockroaches inside the restaurant.
After a reinspection visit, the restaurant was permitted to reopen July 12.
Panaderia Natalie: The Tower District bakery at Olive and Maroa avenues was closed following a July 10 inspection after rodent droppings were discovered throughout the facility. A reinspection later the same day authorized the business to reopen after the problems were cleaned up.
Sher-E-Punjab: A July 16 inspection at this Indian restaurant at Herndon and Cedar avenues in northeast Fresno determined that the business was operating without a valid health permit. The restaurant reopened July 24 after getting the required permit.
Taco Bell #34208: The Mexican fast-food chain location at Shaw and Peach avenues in Clovis was found to have a lack of hot water at the utensil-washing sink during a July 22 inspection. After restoring hot water that same day, a reinspection allowed the restaurant to reopen.
Los Mexicanos Frutas y Antojitos: A July 25 inspection at this Mexican eatery on Fulton Street between Tuolumne and Fresno streets in downtown Fresno resulted in it being closed because of a rodent infestation. The business was authorized to reopen four days later, on July 29, following a reinspection.
What inspectors look for
The Fresno County Department of Public Health 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, making unannounced visits several times a year.
Restaurants also are inspected in response to complaints or other concerns from the public, including when people see what they believe are health or sanitation issues at restaurants.
A lack of hot water is one of the most common violations inspectors from the Department of Public Health find when they make their routine visits. Hot water at a temperature of at least 120 degrees is considered important by inspectors for safely washing pots, pans, dishes and glasses, and 100 degrees for employees to wash their hands.
Insect or vermin infestations are another type of violation that can result in immediate closure of restaurants or food businesses when they are observed by health inspectors.
Among other serious concerns for food safety are refrigerators that don’t keep food cold enough or steam tables that don’t keep food hot enough to inhibit bacterial growth, or clogged sinks or drains that cause contaminated water to back up into kitchens.
In most instances, if an inspector finds a problem, it’s something that can be fixed on the spot – issues such as having enough bleach or sanitizer in the water used to wipe down food-preparation areas, putting lids back onto containers in walk-in refrigerators, replenishing soap, paper towels and toilet paper in the restrooms, or reminding employees to wash their hands and wear gloves and hairnets.
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. They include:
- Whether the manager and all employees have the required food safety or food-handling certificates.
- Hygiene of individual employees.
- Ways 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.
- Overall cleanliness.
- Proper drainage of sinks and floor drains.
- Restrooms stocked with supplies.
- Whether the business has the proper license or permit.
This story was originally published August 9, 2024 at 1:10 PM.
