Red ice, broken eggs and moldy bread: Abilene's weekly restaurant inspections

Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations, and an inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions.

Abilene Reporter-News

Abilene Environmental Health inspects local food establishments to ensure they are in compliance with state food safety requirements.
Restaurants receiving low scores had violations such as improper food storage, lack of date marking and presence of mold or other contaminants.
Some establishments had issues with employee hygiene, including lack of hair restraints and improper storage of personal beverages.

The city of Abilene Environmental Health Division regularly monitors restaurants and food establishments for compliance with state food safety requirements.

Frequent inspections are essential in preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses through contamination and improper handling, storage and sanitation.

Scores for retail food establishments, food stores, mobile food units and school and daycare establishments inspected the week of March 3-9 are listed below.

Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in its most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. A few more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

Perfect score

Fromage and Honey, 834 S. Third St.

Taco Bell, 2201 Pine St.

High to moderate scores

Chipotle, 1631 State Highway 351: 99

The Flipping Egg, 4138 Ridgemont Drive: 99

United Supermarket-Deli, 2160 Pine St.: 99

United Supermarket-Deli, 1095 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 99

KFC, 1301 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 99

2 Gingers Catering, 3650 N. Sixth St.: 98

Chicken Express, 1034 E.N. 10th St.: 98

Craig Middle School, 702 S. Judge Ely Blvd.: 98

Red Robin, 3549 Catclaw Drive: 97

Free Play Arcade, 250 Cypress St.: 97

Statesman Coffee Company, 5001 Buffalo Gap Road: 97

Taco Casa, 6715 Buffalo Gap Road: 97

Oceans Healthcare, 4225 Woodsplace: 97

Walmart Supercenter-Deli, 4350 Southwest Drive: 97

Cracker Barrel, 1602 State Highway 351: 96

Olive Garden, 3210 S. Clack St.: 96

Dirty Dough Cookies, 4464 Buffalo Gap Road: 96

Raising Cane's, 3218 S. Clack St.: 96

Wendy's, 4374 Southwest Drive: 96

Abilene Donuts, 4338 Rio Mesa: 95

Church's Fried Chicken, 4026 N. First St.: 95

Sonic, 2402 Sayles Blvd.: 95

Sonic, 202 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 94

Sonic, 3856 S. Clack St.: 94

Vagabond Pizza, 1056 N. Second St.: 94

Abilene Country Club Sports & Wine, 4039 S. Treadaway Blvd.: 93

Stripes, 1409 Dub Wright Blvd.: 93

Smashin' Grill, 2642 E. Lake Road: 92

Mooyah Burgers, 3550 S. Clack St.: 92

Galveston Seafood Co., 818 U.S. Highway 80 E.: 92

Rockin' Rollerz Craft Burger Co., 1055 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 92

Abilene Country Club 19th Hole, 4039 S. Treadaway Blvd.: 91

Potter's Pizza, 3802 Buffalo Gap Road: 91

Mezamiz Deux Coffee House, 3909 S. Seventh St.: 91

Kao Lounge, 137 Oak St.: 91

Phoenix Pho, 2449 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 90

Sharon's Barbeque, 849 U.S. Highway 80 E.: 90

Low scores and why

Primetime FEC, 4541 Loop 322: 89

Priority violation: Two dented cans of tomatos were on a dry good shelf in the storage room.
Two hand-washing stations did not have hand-drying provisions.
A male employee at the front pizza station did not have a hair restraint.
An employee's beverage cup was on a prep table in the back area, making contamination prevention not possible.
Food debris was seen on the bottom shelf of a reach-in cooler where food is stored at the front pizza station.
A dispensing utensil was seen in a container of grated food at the front pizza station with the handle buried in the food product.
Clean forks and spoons stored in plastic containers presented in a way employees may contaminate the food contact surfaces.
A single-service cup was stored on top of the salt container and was being reused as a dispensing scoop.
A white crystalline food substance was stored in a single-service container and not labeled to identify with the common name of food items.
The 2025 retail food establishment permit was not posted for consumer viewing.

Popeye's, 4425 Ridgemont Drive: 88

Priority violation: Black mold-like substance on the soda fountain nozzle.
Priority violation: Inside surface of the ice machine door was not clean to sight and touch.
Priority violation: Plastic lids and containers with food residues were seen on the clean dish shelf and were not clean to sight and touch.
Floor drains did not have screen baskets or covers to prevent entry of insects and rodents.
Multiple male employees in food prep areas were not wearing appropriate hair restraints.
Food residues and grease stains were on the fryer and cooking equipment throughout the establishment.
Grease accumulation was seen on the fryer roller leg and on the floor underneath the fryer.
Garbage was piled up by the back door and not being disposed.
The establishment does not have the 2025 retail food establishment permit posted. The posted permit expired on Dec. 31, 2023.

Allsup's, 2702 Ambler Ave.: 88

Priority violation: Multiple "Allsup's Poor Boy Sub" sandwiches stored in a glass cooler and date-marked Feb. 29 were held past the discard date. Inspection completed on March 3. Corrected on-site and manager voluntarily discarded sandwiches.
Priority violation: Three packages of eggs stored in the glass cooler had broken eggs. Manager corrected violation by discarding eggs. A package of sliced "Allsup's White Bread" stored on a shelf had a mold-like substance growing inside it. Corrected and manager discarded the bread.
A single-use foam cup stored beside coffee bags in a coffee bar area cabinet had coffee ground residue inside. Corrected and manager discarded the cup.
A mold-like substance was on the shelves of a glass cooler storing alcohol.
Paper towels were seen stored underneath the grate of the Allsup's creamers machine and underneath single-use cups and lids. Nonfood contact surfaces of equipment must be constructed of corrosion-resistant, nonabsorbent and smooth material.
A mop was stored in a mop bucket of soiled water instead of hung to air dry.
Reporting symptoms and diagnosis signage was not posted at the hand-washing sink.

Smokehouse Abilene, 500 Cypress St.: 87

Priority violation: Multiple time-temperature controlled foods in the walk-in cooler did not have date marks or exceeded the discard date. Steak in yellow marinade, cooked chicken in reduced oxygen packaging and cooked meatloaf in reduced oxygen packaging were not date marked. Pork belly, spare ribs, smoked chicken and corn beef were held past the listed date marks. All foods held past discard date or without a date mark were voluntarily discarded.
The establishment is engaged in using reduced oxygen packaging without a HACCP plan. Corrected and all ROP foods without date marks or held past the date mark were discarded.
The establishment was using lactic acid sanitizer solution in the three-compartment sink and did not have test strips.
An employee's beverage cup was on a shelf next to clean utensils at the dishwasher station. Corrected and person in charge removed and discarded.
Multiple wet and soiled wiping cloths were on food prep tables throughout the kitchen.
A box of food was stored on the walk-in cooler floor.
The establishment does have the 2025 retail food establishment permit posted for customer view.

Day Nursery of Abilene, 650 Cedar St.: 87

Priority violation: Raw shell eggs stored above ready-to-eat food in the reach-in refrigerator.
Priority violation: Residue on dishware stored in a container on a clean dishware rack. Corrected and employee placed to dishes to be cleaned again.
Priority violation: Heavily dented canned foods of fruit mix and peaches were stored on a dry food storage rack.
A wet wiping cloth was stored on a food prep counter. Wet wiping cloths should be stored in a sanitizer solution between uses.
Reusable plastic cups in a clean dishware tub were not covered or inverted to prevent contamination.
A single-use plastic spoon used as a scoop was stored in a container that had a white crystalline substance in it. Single-service items may not be reused. Corrected and employee removed the spoon.
A large container stored under a prep counter had a white substance in it and was not labeled with the food's common name.

Rosa's Café & Tortilla Factory, 1026 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 87

Priority violation: Whole jalapeno was soft in the produce box, rendering it unsafe to consume. Corrected on-site.
Priority violation: Food was not protected from cross contamination. Raw pork was stored below raw ground beef in the walk-in cooler. Corrected by the manager.
Priority violation: Observed improper disposal of sewage. The lid of the outdoor grease holding tank was left open.
Plastic spatulas with missing pieces were held in the storage rack and are deemed not maintained in good repair. Corrected by the manager.
Door gaskets at the reach-in warmer units are worn and no longer effective to perform its function.
Establishment has garbage stored outside in containers that are not rodent or insect resistant. The sliding door was left open at the outdoor garbage can.

Alfredo's Mexican Food, 2849 S. 14th St.: 87

Priority violation: A large can of "jalapenos" stored on a dry food shelf was heavily dented.
Priority violation: Cleaning solution was stored on a counter next to single-use silverware. Corrected by the owner.
Utensils stored on a clean dishware rack had visible chips and cracks. Corrected and the owner discarded items.
Spices had utensils without handles stored inside them violating standards for between-use storage.
Knives, forks and spoons had food contact surfaces exposed. Utensils that are not prewrapped shall be presented so that only the handles are touched by employees and by consumers.
Multiple storage containers were without labels to identify the common name of food.
A scoop soiled with raw beef was seen stored on top of a raw beef storage container. The container lid was also soiled with raw beef.
Employee twist-top drinks were stored on a shelf with dry foods. Corrected and the owner voluntarily removed the drinks.
No reporting symptoms and diagnosis signage was posted at the hand-washing sink.

En Fu Express, 4310 Buffalo Gap Road: 87

Priority violation: Raw chicken was stored above raw beef in the walk-in cooler. Chicken should be stored below beef to prevent cross contamination. Corrected and the manager moved meats to proper arrangement.
Ice was seen stored inside the hand-wash sink behind the front counter. A 10-gallon bucket was seen stored on the sink upon arrival, but the violation was corrected, and an employee removed the bucket.
Two plastic containers stored in the establishment were cracked and no longer easily cleanable. Corrected and the manager discarded them.
The establishment does not have a self-closing device on the back door of the kitchen that leads outside.
A container of sanitizing solution stored on the floor behind the front counter.
Food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food in a clean, dry location. A cardboard package of frozen raw beef was stored on the concrete outside of the establishment. Food cannot be stored outside where it is exposed to environmental contamination. Corrected and an employee voluntarily moved the package of frozen meat back inside the establishment to be thawed properly.
Raw beef stored in a container on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Food shall be stored at least 6 inches above the floor.
A utensil handle being used as a scoop was stored inside of food of containers labeled "sugar" and "rice." Utensils should have handles that are stored above the top of the food.
No reporting symptoms and diagnosis signage was posted at the hand washing sinks.

The Biscuit Bar, 2447 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 86

Priority violation: Soda wands at the bar had black mold-like substance on the nozzles.
Multiple time-temperature controlled foods in the walk-in cooler were held past the maximum use-by limit.
Equipment parts were held in the hand-washing sink by the three-compartment sink making it inaccessible.
Male employees with facial hair in the food prep area were not wearing beard guards.
A bag of flour was cut open on a food prep table at the biscuit station and not covered to protect from contamination.
Plastic knives and forks in a container were not stored to protect contamination of food contact surfaces.
A single-use paper cut was sitting on top of a white crystalline substance being used as a food dispenser. Single-use items cannot be reused.
Single-service food containers were stored with food contact surfaces open to contamination.
White crystalline food substance and spice were taken out of original protective packing and placed in unmarked bulk containers.
Food and grease residues were seen on equipment at the cook line.
Three mop heads were seen in the mop service sink and not placed in a position to properly air dry.

Little Panda, 1035 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 85

Priority violation: Fried egg rolls were located in the fryer basket for hot holding temped at 80 degrees. Food items were put back into the fryer basket to cook by an employee.
Priority violation: Cooked noodles in the reach-in cooler were not date marked. Violation corrected on-site.
Priority violation: Container of heat hand warmers belonging to employees was found by a container of soy sauce on the shelf.
Cold hold reach-in cooler unit storing fried shrimp and egg rolls did not have a temperature measuring device.
Failure to wear appropriate hair restraints in an effective manner.
Storage container of seasonings by the wok that are not readily identifiable is not labeled with the common name of the food.

Heff's Burger & Bar, 4310 Buffalo Gap Road: 85

Priority violation: Jalapeno poppers held in the reach-in cooler were not date marked. Poppers were prepped March 6. Violation corrected by the cook.
Priority violation: Ice in the ice machine was not protected from contamination during storage. Observed red debris on the ice in the machine. Ice that was contaminated was discarded by the cook.
Priority violation: Wall-mounted potato slicer was not clean.
Equipment for cooling and cold holding is not sufficient to provide proper food temperatures. Main walk-in cooler is broken and needs to be repaired. Food is being stored in the beer cooler in the meantime.
Food package of green beans was not in good condition to protect the integrity of the contents. The can was dented along the rim.

Hop-In, 1109-A S. Treadaway Blvd.: 83

Priority violation: Dried food debris was inside microwave used by customers and on the coffee creamer machine nozzles.
Priority violation: An aluminum can labeled "Dos Equis" in the walk-in cooler was heavily dented.
Priority violation: Cleaning solutions and toxic materials were stored above food items.
Priority violation: The plumbing systems at the mop sink was not installed to preclude backflow of contaminants into the water supply system.
Priority violation: Observed no connection from the pipe of the hand-washing sink to the drain on the floor.
No date marking was seen on packaged foods stored in baskets on the counter.
Paper towels were not provided at the back room hand-washing sink.
Single-use cup lids stored in a cabinet were not in their protective wrapping.
Single-use cups stored inside a sugar container were being used as scoops. Corrected and the cups were discarded on-site.

Twisted Root Burger Co., 2419 N. Judge Ely Blvd.: 81

Priority violation: Multiple ready-to-eat, time-temperature controlled foods in the walk-in cooler exceeded the use-by or discard dates. Red sauce, cooked corn, cooked black beans, brown rice, blue cheese and diced onions were expired.
Priority violation: Black mold-like substance was on the soda wand nozzle at the bar.
Priority violation: Multiple washed plastic food containers on clean dish shelf had food residues.
Priority violation: When tested for sanitizer efficacy, the dishwasher tested zero for chlorine sanitizer solution. The establishment shall use the three-compartment sink to sanitize all utensils until maintenance tech can fix the dishwasher sanitizer.
Reach-in cooler in the establishment had damaged door gaskets.
An employee's beverage cup was on a food prep table making contamination unpreventable.
A male employee at the dishwasher area had a wiping cloth in his back pocket. Multiple wiping cloths were on a food prep table instead of in sanitizer solution.
A male employee was using a wiping cloth and hand drying clean utensils as they came out of the dish washer and not air drying the utensils.
Food residues were accumulating on nonfood contact surfaces of equipment at the cook line.
Grease and food debris was on the floor at the cook line.
Two mop heads were on the floor and not placed in a position to properly air dry.
The certified food protection manager certificate was not posted.

MASA Japanese Restaurant, 2134 S. 27th St.: 80

Priority violation: Fish mixture stored in the display cooler at the sushi bar temped at 45.5 degrees. Corrected and the manager voluntarily discarded the fish.
Priority violation: Knives stored on a magnetic wall rack were not clean. Corrected and the manager removed the knives for cleaning.
Priority violation: A heavily dented aluminum can of "bamboo shoots" was stored on a dry food storage rack.
Priority violation: A container of Windex was stored above a food prep table at the sushi bar. Corrected and the manager moved the container.
Hand-washing sink at the sushi bar had cilantro stored inside. Sink at the bar area had a rag inside it.
No hand-washing cleanser available at the hand-washing sink at the bar.
Wet wiping cloths stored on the food prep counter at the sushi bar instead of in sanitizing solution.
Various meats and foods stored in packages on the floor of the walk-in cooler.
Observed multiple food containers with small plastic storage containers without handles stored inside of the food.
Multiple food containers stored throughout the establishment were not labeled with the common name of food. Corrected and employees labeled the containers.
The lid to the dumpster outside of the establishment was left open. Corrected and the manager closed the sliding door.
No reporting symptoms and diagnosis signage was posted at the hand-washing sinks.

To report a food establishment that is not following safe food-handling practices, call Environmental Health at 325-437-4590 to initiate a complaint. Be prepared to provide specific details about the name and address of the facility, the date and time the unsafe practice was observed and the exact practice in question.

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