Rodents at 2 Fresno restaurants lead to closures. In all, 8 fail county inspections

Rodents closed down two Fresno County food businesses in January.

El Toro Loco Supermarket on Shields Avenue and the North Point Event Center (location of the Curry House restaurant) were both closed for several days after rodents were found at the facilities.

The closures were reported in monthly data issued by the Fresno County Department of Public Health, which monitors restaurants, snack bars, grocery stores, commissaries, delicatessens and food vendors across the county. Reports and records are available to the public online.

El Toro Loco was closed Jan. 29 after evidence of a “vermin infestation” was found during a complaint investigation.

In addition, the health department discovered a panaderia/taqueria operating inside the market without a permit.

The market was closed for three days and allowed to reopen after the violations and concerns of the health department were addressed. According to a re-inspection report issued Jan. 31, the facility is being monitored for rodents and pest control will be doing weekly servicing and offer reports to the health department on command.

Inspectors found several rodents (alive and dead) at North Point Event Center during a series of inspections beginning Jan. 28. In one case, a dead mouse was found inside a container of bulk coriander. Other bulk containers were found partially opened with droppings in or near them. The items were all destroyed.

The facility was allowed to reopen Feb. 5.

Six other businesses failed county health inspections in January, including:

• Antojitos Guanacos, a mobile food trailer at 260 Oller St. in Mendota. It was closed Jan. 2 because of a non-operating water heater and allowed to reopen Jan. 15.

• La Cocina de Mama, at Renoir Corner on Mariposa street in downtown Fresno, which was closed Jan. 8 after inspectors found floor sinks that were clogged. The restaurant reopened the following day.

• A portion of SureStay by Best Western that closed Jan. 15 after inspectors found a hand wash sink without hot water and the hotel was also found to be serving unapproved foods to guests. It remains closed.

• A Carl’s Jr. location at Blackstone Avenue near Fresno City College was closed Jan. 16 due to a lack of hot water at several sinks including one for food prep. It reopened later the same day.

• Lucky Donuts, on Manning Avenue in Parlier remains closed after it was operating without a valid health permit.

• LA Kitchen on Kings Canyon Road in Sunnyside was order closed Jan. 28 because its water heater was not functioning properly. It reopened the following day.

In December, just three businesses (two restaurants and a mini-mart) were closed for failing inspections.

A total of 58 restaurants, markets and other food businesses failed their health inspections at some point last year.

What inspectors look for

The Fresno County Department of Public Health has about two dozen environmental health specialists who monitor the area’s nearly 5,000 food business with unannounced visits several times a year.

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

A list of the businesses and copies of the reports are available online through the county’s public health department.

In most instances, if an inspector finds a problem (not having bleach or sanitizer in the water used to wipe down food-preparation areas or replenishing soap, paper towels and toilet paper in the restrooms) it’s something that can be fixed on the spot.

Reminding employees to wash their hands and wear gloves and hairnets is another example.

Other issues, like insect or vermin infestations, are violations that can result in an immediate closure.

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. Clogged sinks or drains are also an issue in that they can cause contaminated water to back up into kitchens.

A lack of hot water is one of the most common violations Department of Public Health inspectors find when they make their routine visits. Having water at a temperature of at least 120 degrees (to safely wash pots, pans, dishes and glasses) is considered important for inspectors. Water must reach 100 degrees for employees to safely wash their hands.

During inspections, the restaurant or food service businesses, are evaluated on lengthy and detailed list of more than 50 item that draw scrutiny. It includes:

• 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 February 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM.