County Health Inspector James Scales was busy handing out good grades to restaurants and food businesses during the latter part of April. He went to 32 establishments and handed out 11 perfect scores. Most of the places rated an ‘A,’ but a couple had a ‘B.’ The Exxon Food Mart at 7120 Interstate 10 in Orange had the lowest score with a 74.
The perfect scores went to the Star and Crescent Moon Cafe at Shangri-La gardens, Orange Community Action (Meals on Wheels), Little Cypress Learning daycare, Mauriceville school kitchens (new combination kitchen), Orangefield Elementary, Orangefield Junior High, Write the Vision Learning in Orange, Family Dollar at 3695 North Main Street in Vidor, plus the Red Wagon Cafe in Vidor and the Red Wagon Cafe’s concession stand at the flea market.
The Exxon Food Mart’s 74 score came from a number of violations, including keeping sausage and eggs at improper temperatures and mold inside the ice machine. Other violations included selling homemade tamales inside the store (food is supposed to be made at the location), having an employee’s coat on top of the ice scoop, and not having hot water at any of the hand-washing stations. Employees were found wearing improper jewelry.
In addition, the store was storing chemicals above pet foods, dates were needed on sandwiches inside coolers, and meat was defrosting on storage shelves. The inspector found pipes at the three-compartment sink were dripping and restrooms needed to be cleaned. Employee restroom needed paper towels.
The store was also cited for not having food handler certificates or posting the health inspection report, certified food manager certificate, and food handler certificates in front of the store.
Other scores and demerits were:
Pilot Travel Center, 2205 Highway 62 in Orange: 98. Drinks were stored on the floor. Floors under shelves inside the walk-in cooler needed to be cleaned of old trash.
James Hope Academic Center, 708 West Park Avenue in Orange: 98. Outside of storage cabinets needed to be cleaned. Inspector found sticky floors and recommended cleaning more often.
Orange Orange Cafe, 914 West Division Street: 98. The Vent-a-Hood, area around fryers, along with the floors and walls needed to be cleaned of old foods and grease.
Holiday Inn Express, 2655 Interstate 10 East in Orange: 97. Inspector found white gravy, sausage and eggs out of proper temperatures. Inspector noted hotel dining room is under remodeling.
Holiday Inn Express, 20691 Interstate 10 West in Vidor: 97. Hotel did not have a certified food manager on staff. Hotel did not pose current food service permit, current health inspection report and certified food manager certificates in front.
CVS Pharmacy, 290 Strickland Drive in Pinehurst: 97. Inspector found a couple of dead roaches in the back storage room. The area under the milk inside the reach-in cooler needed to be cleaned of old mil. Store did not have current health inspection report posted in front.
Dairy Queen, 780 North Main Street in Vidor: 97. The faucet at the hand-washing station needed to be repaired because water was coming from the base of the faucet. A couple of air vents were dripping water onto the floor.
Days Inn, 2630 Interstate 10 West in Orange: 97. Eggs were not at proper temperature inside the reach-in cooler.
Texas Country Store, 3701 North 16th Street in Orange: 94. Rust was inside the ice machine. Slush machines had mold on them. Drinks were stored on the floor inside the walk-in cooler. Floors inside the walk-in cooler plus the back storage room needed to be cleaned of old foods and trash. They also needed to be organized. Ceiling tiles were missing or damaged. Employee bathroom needed paper towels. Restrooms needed to be cleaned more often.
Best Western Plus Orange, 165 East Courtland Street in Vidor: 94. Hotel did not have a certified food manager on staff. Test strips were needed to check the sanitizer solution. A couple of gnats were found. Current health inspection report and certified food manager reports were not posted in front.
Carl’s Jr., 288 Strickland Drive in Pinehurst: 92. Mold was inside the ice machine. Restaurant had no food handler certificates. Boxes of food were stored on the floor inside the walk-in freezer. Storage shelves, equipment and Vent-a-Hood needed to be cleaned of old foods and grease. Current health inspection report was not posted in front.
Sonic Drive in, 3103 North 16th Street in Orange: 92. Foods inside the reach-in freezers needed to be covered. Pipes under the three-compartment sink were dripping water and needed to be repairs. Vent-a-Hood, fry warmer, area around fryers and floors throughout restaurant needed to be cleaned of old foods and grease. Floor grout was missing from several areas.
Waffle House, 4212 27th Street in Orange: 91. Slight mold was inside ice machine. Dates were needed on products. Employee drinks were stored improperly inside the reach-in cooler. Vent-a-Hood and equipment needed to be cleaned of old foods and grease. Paper towels were needed inside the employee restrooms. The current food service permit and all certified food manager certificates needed to be posted in front.
Kim’s Donut Place, 3041 Highway 12 in Vidor: 91. Boudain and sausage were not at proper temperatures. Shop did not keep a record of holding times for keeping boudain and sausage at room temperature. Employees needed to wear closed-toe shoes. Vent-a-Hood needed to be cleaned. Damaged ceiling tiles needed to be replaced.
Mi Casa Mexican Grill, 110 Strickland Drive in Pinehurst: 89. Meets were stored above produce inside coolers and freezers. Mold was found on drink dispensers (employee pulled them and cleaned them). Dates were needed on products. Air vents needed to be cleaned and repainted. Ceiling tiles were damaged at the dishwasher area. Restaurant did not have a certified food manager on staff.
Romano’s 8.31 Italian, 995 West Roundbunch Road in Bridge City: 85. Inspector found a box of molded green peppers inside the cooler. Ice scoop was on top of the ice machine. Mold was inside ice machine. Dirty dishes from the previous night were still in containers to be washed. Cooler was dripping water into a container on the floor. Dates were needed on products. Employee drinks were stored improperly inside coolers. Vent-a-Hood and walls throughout restaurant needed to be cleaned of old foods and dirt. Paper towels were needed in restrooms. Current health inspection report was not posted in front of restaurant.
Donut Hole, 1613 16th Street in Orange: 81. Boudain, sausage and eggs not at proper temperatures. No record of holding times were kept on boudain, sausage and eggs kept at room temperature. Mold was inside ice machine. Cappuccino machine, equipment, storage containers and floors needed to be cleaned of old foods. Pipes were dripping water and needed to be repaired. Employee drink did not have a lid and straw. Employees needed to wear closed-toe shoes. The same pan liner was used multiple times.
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