Here's how Nueces County restaurants scored in health inspections for October 2023
In October, Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District inspectors found dishes not being washed and rinsed, pots and pans stored on the floor, a dead gnat in food and other health violations.
The health district describes a food establishment as a place that sells or serves food to the public, which can include bars, hotels, apartments, schools and food trucks. These establishments must get an annual permit and be inspected by the health district.
Inspections are based on a demerit system, in accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services. The Inspection Report checks against 47 different violations, each scoring from 3 to 1.
Out of more than 280 businesses inspected, 42 scored below a 90 and 67 received perfect scores. In October, Taqueria La Tapatia on Ayers Street scored the worst with a 78.
Here are the worst and best scores restaurants were given during October 2023.
Acapulco Mexican Restaurant
5937 McArdle Road
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 10 and received an 86. Inspectors found raw meat touching walls, employees not wearing beard guards, improperly stored toxic chemicals and missing tiles.
Acapulco was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 95.
Cancun Mexican Restaurant
6314 Yorktown Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 17 and received an 80. Inspectors found a dirty waffle machine, flies and gnats, a dirty ice machine and employees not wearing beard guards.
Cancun was last inspected in August 2023 and scored an 83.
Casa Vieja Jalisco
9929 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 4 and received an 87. Inspectors found food not dated, grease buildup on food equipment, employees not wearing hairnets and clean cups being stored on dirty racks.
Casa Vieja was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 91.
Church's Texas Chicken
2901 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 25 and received an 89. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, toxic chemicals stored near food, employees not wearing hairnets and a broken countertop.
Church's was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 99.
El Canelo Mexicano Restaurant
1805 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 4 and received an 86. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, dishes not being washed and rinsed, an employee handling cheese with bare hands and employees not wearing beard guards.
El Canelo was last inspected in February 2023 and scored a 98.
El Muelle de San Blas #2
920 Louisiana Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 4 and received an 88. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, toxic chemicals not labeled, employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards and no hot water in the men's and women's restrooms.
El Muelle de San Blas was last inspected in March 2023 and scored a 91.
El Sol de Mexico
3511 S. Staples St.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 21 and received an 87. Inspectors found raw meat stored above vegetables, flies and gnats, employees not wearing beard guards and a gap in the back door.
El Sol de Mexico was last inspected in May 2023 and scored an 81.
El Sol de Mexico #3
5250 Everhart Road
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 9 and received an 89. Inspectors found no certified food manager present, uncovered food in walk-in, not thawing food properly and built-up grease in AC vents.
El Sol de Mexico was last inspected in September 2023 and scored an 87.
Gabriel's Restaurant
3825 S. Port Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 18 and received an 89. Inspectors found dishes not being washed, rinsed and sanitized properly, an employee not washing hands after wiping them on their apron, toxic chemicals stored on top of the ice machine and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.
Gabriel's was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 93.
Golden Crown Inn
2739 S. Staples St.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 18 and received an 83. Inspectors found evidence of insect contamination, food not being thawed properly, food not dated and restrooms not up to proper requirements.
Golden Crown Inn was last inspected in May 2023 and scored an 83.
Harrison's Landing
108 Peoples St. T-Head
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 3 and received an 84. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, dirty soda nozzles, pots and pans stored on the floor and employees not wearing beard guards.
Harrison's Landing was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 91.
IHOP
2037 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 18 and received an 89. Inspectors found raw meat stored above egg mixture, pans not washed thoroughly, gnats and no paper towels at employee hand washing sink.
IHOP was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 96.
Janet's Cakery
5880 Everhart Road
The bakery was inspected on Oct. 10 and received an 84. Inspectors found food being stored on the floor in the freezer, dirty shelves in cooler, gnats present at icing table and a dirty oven.
Janet's was last inspected in August 2023 and scored a 90.
Johnny Carino's
1652 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 5 and received an 89. Inspectors found knives not washed thoroughly, employees not washing hands before preparing food, gnats and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.
Johnny Carino's was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 98.
La Carreta
2754 S. Port Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 16 and received an 89. Inspectors found raw chicken stored above vegetables, meat thawed improperly, knives stored between equipment and medications stored on top of refrigerator.
La Carreta was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 92.
La Mexicana Bakery & Tortilla Factory
6337 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 23 and received an 89. Inspectors found not dated, personal drinks on prep line, a dirty freezer and no thermometers in freezer or coolers.
La Mexicana Bakery was last inspected in July 2023 and scored an 86.
La Palma Mexican Restaurant
15326 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 5 and received an 87. Inspectors found mold in the ice machine, toxic chemicals stored improperly, no soap for employee hand washing sink and improperly stored utensils.
La Palma was last inspected in March 2023 and scored a 93.
Las Espuelas
1620 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 31 and received an 88. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, a dirty ice machine, employees not wearing beard guards and missing ceiling tiles.
Las Espuelas was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 94.
Las Milpas Restaurant
3036 S. Port Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 9 and received an 84. Inspectors found a dirty microwave, rodent droppings, employees not washing their hands and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.
Las Milpas was last inspected in February 2023 and scored a 93.
Los Tres Portillos
1945 Horne Road
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 24 and received an 82. Inspectors found raw chicken stored above vegetables, no certified food manager present, gnats and employees not washing their hands.
Los Tres Portillos was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 91.
Luciano's Italian Restaurant
1821 S. Alameda St.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 18 and received an 85. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, rodent droppings, employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards and toxic chemicals stored improperly.
Luciano's was last inspected in February 2023 and scored a 100.
McDonald's
6306 Saratoga Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 23 and received an 88. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, improperly storing toxic chemicals, gnats and dirty soft serve and mocha machines.
McDonald's was last inspected in July 2023 and scored an 81.
McDonald's
2021 Morgan Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 25 and received an 87. Inspectors found employees not washing their hands after wiping their hands on their apron, improperly storing toxic chemicals, improperly storing cleaning towels and no cover for the ice bin.
McDonald's was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 99.
Mi Casita Taqueria #2
2033 Airline Road
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 2 and received an 81. Inspectors found dirty shelves coated in meat blood in freezer, no certified food manager present, roaches and meat thawed improperly.
Mi Casita was last inspected in August 2023 and scored an 86.
Noodles & Dumplings
6505 Everhart Road
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 13 and received an 83. Inspectors found food stored on the floor, a dirty ice machine, gnats and a dirty microwave.
Noodles & Dumplings was last inspected in September 2023 and scored an 86.
Papa John's
2701 Morgan Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 26 and received an 89. Inspectors found food not covered, toxic chemicals stored near pizza trays, a broken grease trap cover and employees personal items on a cutting board.
Papa John's was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 93.
Pho D'Noodle House
3403 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 13 and received an 85. Inspectors found food not being stored at the proper temperature, items being stored on top of food, employees not wearing hairnets and no soap at the employee hand washing sink.
Pho D'Noodle House was last inspected in November 2022 and scored a 99.
Popeye's
1115 S. Port Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 12 and received an 87. Inspectors found dirty food warmers, employees without food handler's cards, flies and missing tiles.
Popeye's was last inspected in February 2023 and scored a 90.
Shipley's Donuts
3113 S. Staples St.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 10 and received an 89. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, gnats, rodent droppings and employees not wearing hairnets.
Shipley's was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 97.
Sonic
3500 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 19 and received an 89. Inspectors found a bug in the ice bin, flies, employees not wearing hairnets and dirty prep counters.
Sonic was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 93.
Sonny's Barbacoa & Restaurant
4066 S. Port Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 17 and received an 84. Inspectors found turkey and beef thawed together in the same container, toxic chemicals stored on prep table, employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards and no hot water in the women's restrooms.
Sonny's was last inspected in February 2023 and scored a 93.
Sugarbakers
2766 Santa Fe St.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 25 and received an 87. Inspectors found toxic chemicals stored near food, rodent droppings, employees eating while prepping food and employees not wearing hairnets.
Sugarbakers was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 92.
Taco Palenque
5617 Saratoga Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 26 and received an 85. Inspectors found dirty soda nozzles, gnats, employees not wearing hairnets and employees not washing their hands before preparing food.
Taco Palenque was last inspected in August 2023 and scored a 70.
Taqueria El Potro
1401 Rodd Field Road
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 30 and received an 88. Inspectors found employees handling ready-to-eat food without gloves, food not dated, employees not wearing hairnets and mold in the ceiling.
Taqueria El Potro was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 92.
Taqueria Jalisco #3
10533 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 24 and received an 86. Inspectors found food and drinks stored on the floor, a dirty ice machine, employees with expired food handler permits and food not dated.
Taqueria Jalisco was last inspected in September 2023 and scored an 86.
Taqueria Jalisco #4
5322 Everhart Road
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 6 and received an 84. Inspectors found toxic chemicals stored improperly, employees not wearing beard guards, no soap at the employee hand washing sink and food not covered when stored.
Taqueria Jalisco was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 85.
Taqueria La Tapatia
4503 Kostoryz Road
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 17 and received an 82. Inspectors found raw meat stored above cooked food, rodent droppings, sewage odor in dining area and toxic chemicals stored near food.
Taqueria La Tapatia was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 91.
Taqueria La Tapatia #3
4521 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 24 and received a 78. Inspectors found meat being held at room temperature, food being held in refrigerator at the improper temperature, raw chicken stored above vegetables and rodent droppings.
Taqueria La Tapatia was last inspected in May 2023 and scored an 85.
Taqueria Mi Casita
1821 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 25 and received an 81. Inspectors found eggs stored at room temperature, raw meat stored above cooked food, a dirty ice machine and employees not wearing beard guards.
Taqueria Mi Casita was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 83.
Taqueria Mi Ranchito
6116 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 11 and received an 86. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, a dirty ice machine, raw meat stored above limes and food not dated.
Taqueria Mi Ranchito was last inspected in February 2023 and scored a 94.
Vu-Tea
5634 McArdle Road
The tea shop was inspected on Oct. 16 and received an 88. Inspectors found a dead gnat in jelly, no certified food manager present, rodent droppings and food not dated.
Vu-Tea was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 92.
Z-Counter
1220 Airline Road
The restaurant was inspected on Oct. 30 and received an 89. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, food not dated, thawing food improperly and dirty utensils on the floor.
Z-Counter was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 90.
Perfect scores (100)
Akasha: 1017 Airline Road
Alamo Drafthouse: 7601 S. Staples St.
Aunt Sissy's Kitchen: 14254 S. Padre Island Drive
Barton Street Pub: 10618 S. Padre Island Drive
Baskin-Robbins: 4701 S. Padre Island Drive
Bourbon Street Candy Co.: 5488 S. Padre Island Drive
Cakes 2 Dy 4: 6040 S. Padre Island Drive
CC Donuts: 4006 Weber Road
Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings: 5625 Saratoga Blvd.
Chick-fil-A: 9601 S. Padre Island Drive
Chick-fil-A: 13701 Northwest Blvd.
Chipotle Mexican Grill: 4938 S. Staples St.
Clubhouse 7: 10506 S. Padre Island Drive
Cookie + Crumb Bake Shop: 1220 Airline Road
Costa Sur Wok & Ceviche Bar: 15113 S. Padre Island Drive
Dippin' Dots & Doc Popcorn: 5488 S. Padre Island Drive
Domino's: 5845 Weber Road
Double J Jerky: 9359 IH-37
Empowered Nutrition: 1122 Morgan Ave.
Gigi's Pizzeria: 4234 S. Alameda St.
Giovanni's Pizzeria & Pasta: 711 N. Caranchua St.
Hanaya Poke: 4938 S. Staples St.
Happy Tea: 5433 S. Staples St.
Hawaii Poke & Ramen: 4002 S. Padre Island Drive
Hester's Cafe & Coffee Bar - Lamar Park: 3812 S. Alameda St.
Hester's Cafe & Coffee Bar - Six Points: 1714 S. Alameda St.
Jamba Juice: 5425 S. Padre Island Drive
JB's German Restaurant & Bakery: 4141 S. Staples St.
Jersey Mike's: 4938 S. Staples St.
King's Donuts: 7602 S. Staples St.
Koa Corpus Christi: 101 Caribbean Drive
La Frutera and More: 5488 S. Padre Island Drive
Little Caesar's: 10529 S. Padre Island Drive
Marble Slab: 4938 S. Staples St.
Marker 37 Marina: 13317 S. Padre Island Drive
Matcha Konomi: 1332 S. Staples St.
McAlister's Deli: 5801 Saratoga Blvd.
Milky Coffee Bar: 5892 Everhart Road
Miller's Bar-B-Q: 6601 Weber Road
Moody's Quality Meats: 6486 Holly Road
My Mimi's Kitchen: 10529 S. Padre Island Drive
Nothing Bundt Cakes: 5425 S. Padre Island Drive
Nueces Brewing Co.: 401 Water St.
Odi's Pizzeria: 6313 Wooldridge Road
Papa John's: 13434 Leopard St.
Papa John's: 522 Everhart Road
Papa Murphy's: 4020 Weber Road
Papa Murphy's: 5017 Saratoga Blvd.
Pizza Hut: 1213 Waldron Road
Pizza Hut: 3821 S. Staples St.
Port A Creamery: 210 N. Alister St.
Railroad Seafood & Brewery - 624: 15701 Northwest Blvd.
Sam and Louie's Pizzeria: 4117 S. Staples St.
Silverado Smokehouse: 4522 Weber Road
Snoopy's Pearl Oyster Bar: 13313 S. Padre Island Drive
Sonic: 14018 S. Padre Island Drive
Subway: 4256 S. Alameda St.
Subway: 5441 Everhart Road
Subway: 5626 Leopard St.
Taco Bell: 14601 Northwest Blvd.
Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut: 5488 S. Padre Island Drive
Wendy's: 4123 S. Staples St.
Whataburger: 1121 Waldron Road
Wienerschnitzel: 3555 S. Padre Island Drive
Wildcat Nutrition: 13330 Leopard St.
Woody's Last Stand: 154 W. Cotter Ave.
Yolanda's Speciality Cakes: 2033 Airline Road
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Rodent droppings, mold: Which eateries had low health district scores
