Food for Thought: One Lubbock restaurant back open following forced shutdown

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - In this week’s Food for Thought, a Lubbock restaurant is back open after it was forced to temporarily close following its latest health inspection, but it wasn’t because of the number of violations - it was something else.

Cricket’s Drafthouse at 2412 Broadway had 26 violations.

But it was one violation in particular that forced a temporary closure.

* The water at the facility was not hot enough. This prevents proper hand washing, improperly cleaned plates or sanitation concerns.

* Brisket was above the safe cold temperature of 41 degrees.

* Beans, Canadian bacon and milk did not have a date mark.

* Dirty knives were stored with clean ones.

* Food containers were dirty.

* The dish washer was not sanitizing.

* There were no test strips for the sanitizing solution.

* Spray bottles were on the hand sink. Hand sinks are for hand washing to prevent cross contamination.

* A can was heavily dented at the seam. This can cause botulism.

* A purple liquid was not labeled.

* Utensils had melted or cracked handles. They must be kept in good repair.

* Knife tips were broken.

(Core)

* Hand sink not sealed to adjoining wall.

* Single use articles stored on floor in dry storage room.

* Utensil stored with handle in contact with the food in container of fry seasoning.

* Single use article used as scoop in marinara sauce.

* Magnet knife holder soiled with an accumulation of food residue and debris.

* Interior of microwave soiled with and accumulation of food residue and debris.

* Light non functional under vent hood, above food preparation area.

* Floor and wall junctures behind hand sink, at doorway, and behind fryer area not coved and sealed to no larger than 1mm.

* Employee eye care solution stored on prep table.

* Door at men’s rest room not self closing.

* Hand washing signage not available in rest rooms.

* Rear door not tight fitting, opening at bottom and side of door allowing for the possible entry of pests.

The water issue was quickly corrected, and the facility was allowed to reopen.

The report shows most of the violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.

Fun Noodle Bar at 6816 Slide Rd had 22 violations.

* Several cold foods were not 41 degrees or below, including: cooked rice, eggs and shrimp.

* Ribs were not at least 135 degrees.

* Cooked shrimp and pork belly were stored over uncovered edamame and carrots.

* Containers of yeast mix and bowls of spinach were stacked without a barrier.

* A can opener was dirty.

* The dish wash machine was not sanitizing.

* Bulk containers of flour were stored under bottles of soap and bleach on the dirty side of a 3-compartment sink.

* There was no backflow prevention device at a mop sink.

* A butcher knife was damaged.

* Shopping bags were used to store filling and uncut veggies.

* The inspector notes, due to the number and the nature of the violations management did not show proper food safety knowledge.

(Core)

* Wiping towels found stored on prep tables and not in sanitizer between uses.

* Uncut cabbage was stored directly on the walk-in cooler food rack without any cover.

* A cooked rice container in the reach-in cooler had a bowl, and a handled rice spoon stored laying inside the product.

* Cleaned metal containers were not inverted on metal shelf located above mechanical dishwasher.

* The outer surfaces of the mechanical dish washer, and waste pipes were visibly soiled.

* Oil and chemical rack located near mechanical dishwasher had soiled unsealed particle board shelves.

* Shelves and reach-in cooler in the prep area were visibly soiled.

* Can opener holder and stem were visibly soiled.

* Personal items stored on shelves above food storage, and food prep areas.

The report shows most of the violations were corrected at the time of the inspection.

Now to the good news.

Here’s a look at this week’s Top Performers:

* Hey Vos (Food truck)

* Frios Gourmet Pops 1 and 2 (Food truck)

* Mi Kocina (Food truck)

* Kona Ice (Food truck)

* Nick’s Treats (Food truck)

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