Unlabeled toxic substance near food areas among latest restaurant health violations

Aaron A. Bedoya, El Paso Times
·8 min read

El Paso health inspectors cited a restaurant for 20 health violations on Feb. 13. The violations ranged from operating with an expired food license and flyswatters hanging on kitchen walls to uncovered fried chicken containers stored below shelves with residue.

A score of 70 or above is passing. A score of 60 or below will initiate the closure of the establishment.

An inspection conducted on any given day may not represent the establishment's overall, long-term conditions. Restaurants that fail inspections are given an opportunity to address the violations for reinspection.

From Feb. 9-15, inspectors visited more than 130 restaurants along with other food-serving facilities in retail stores, daycares and schools. Over 90 restaurants received an "A" rating. See the restaurants inspectors graded "A" at the end of this article.

El Paso restaurant cited for violations

Sunny's China Express location.

A look back: Absence of soap, towels in handwashing sinks among latest restaurant health violations

20 violations, Sunny's China Express at 8820 North Loop Drive

The following inspection was conducted on Feb. 13, and the restaurant was given a 64 inspection score.

  • Orange chicken found at 119F in hot buffet line (must be 135F or above)

  • Can opener with foodlike residue

  • Heavily dented fruit cocktail can in dry storage area shelves (remove from display, mark as damaged, or discard)

  • Employee washed hands for only nine seconds (wash for at least 20 seconds)

  • Unlabeled spray bottles with blue toxic substance found near food areas: blue toxic substance found hanging above wok containing exposed fried chicken. Another unlabeled spray bottle with a blue toxic substance found hanging above three-compartment sink.

  • Several employees without valid food handler certificates (obtain within 30 days of hiring)

  • Prepping and serving sushi without HACCP plan for sushi rice (submit plan within one week)

  • TCS food items in walk-in refrigerator not date marked properly (date mark with expiration within seven days)

  • Food license expired since Oct. 21, 2023 (renew within three business days to avoid closure)

  • No soap available for handwashing sink near back exit door (must be properly supplied at all times)

  • Broken plastic containers found in various areas (must be smooth, free of breaks, and easily cleanable)

  • Flyswatters hanging on kitchen walls and broken bottom seal for spring back exit door (pest control by certified applicator, seal doors and windows)

  • Cook with long facial hair not wearing a beard guard and dishwasher wearing a wristwatch (proper hair restraints required, no jewelry except plain ring)

  • Unattended soiled wiping cloths found on prep tables (store in sanitizing solution between uses)

  • Uncovered fried chicken containers stored below shelves with residue and debris (store in covered, clean environment)

  • Metal food containers with water residue stored stacked above three-compartment sink (utensils must air-dry before storage)

  • Unlabeled powdered food container found on shelf under prep table (all food items must be properly labeled)

  • Refrigerator vents and shelves with foodlike residue (clean and sanitize non-food contact surfaces)

  • Broken wall and floor tiles behind handwashing sink area (physical facilities must be in good repair)

  • Three-compartment sink with faucet constantly dripping (plumbing fixtures must be kept in good repair)

Note: The restaurant was reinspected on Feb. 21 and received a 90 inspection score.

Grade A El Paso restaurants

  • 100 02/13/2024 Denny's #7603 510 Zaragoza Road

  • 100 02/09/2024 Alamo Drafthouse Cinema-East 12351 Pellicano Drive

  • 100 02/09/2024 Toddler Town Home Daycare 3085 Tierra Salada Drive

  • 100 02/09/2024 Just Cheesecake Outlet 404 Arizona Ave.

  • 100 02/09/2024 Dunkin Donuts 7721 Paseo Del Norte Blvd.

  • 100 02/09/2024 Tea2go 7721 Paseo Del Norte Blvd.

  • 100 02/12/2024 Nana's Daycare 9337 Danbury Road

  • 100 02/13/2024 Riddles & Rhymes C.C.C. 108 Biglon

  • 100 02/13/2024 Gonzalo & Sofia Garcia Elementary 6550 Westside Drive

  • 100 02/12/2024 Small Treasures Daycare & Learning Center 9366 North Loop Drive

  • 100 02/09/2024 Circle K #2741259 1915 Montana Ave.

  • 100 02/12/2024 Kids Campus 5113 Fairbanks Drive

  • 100 02/13/2024 Jose H. Damian Elementary School 6300 Strahan Road

  • 100 02/13/2024 Epcc Bookstore (Valle Verde Campus) 919 Hunter Drive

  • 100 02/13/2024 Ardovino's Pizza 1879 N Zaragoza Road

  • 100 02/14/2024 Triumph Public Schools 711 N Mesa St.

  • 100 02/12/2024 Lancaster Elementary School 9230 Elgin Drive

  • 100 02/09/2024 The Grand Terrace 12798 Edgemere Blvd.

  • 99 02/13/2024 Dutch Bros Coffee 13790 Horizon Blvd.

  • 99 02/09/2024 Papa Johns 1325 George Dieter Drive

  • 99 02/12/2024 Our Lady Of Mt. Carmel Church 131 Zaragoza Road

  • 99 02/14/2024 DK #607 3525 N Yarbrough Drive

  • 99 02/14/2024 Walgreens #3542 1607 Zaragoza Road

  • 99 02/12/2024 La Fe Preparatory School 616 Father Rahm Ave.

  • 99 02/12/2024 Family Dollar Store #4308 5120 Fairbanks Drive

  • 99 02/14/2024 St. Patrick School Activities 1111 N Stanton St.

  • 99 02/14/2024 St Patrick's School 1111 N Stanton St.

  • 99 02/13/2024 City Of El Paso-Nolan Richardson Recreation Center 4435 Maxwell Ave.

  • 98 02/13/2024 Walmart Market #5960 10301 Alameda Ave.

  • 98 02/13/2024 Sno Biz Shave Ice 700 N Zaragoza Road

  • 98 02/13/2024 Mr. Munchies #1 4944 Hercules Ave.

  • 98 02/09/2024 Wing Stop 8825 North Loop Drive

  • 98 02/14/2024 Hampton Inn & Suites 6411 South Desert Blvd.

  • 98 02/14/2024 Brown Middle School 7820 Helen Of Troy Drive

  • 98 02/14/2024 Olga Kohlberg Elementary School 1445 Nardo Goodman Drive

  • 98 02/09/2024 Boys & Girls Clubs Of El Paso 801 S Florence St.

  • 98 02/14/2024 Fairbanks Daycare Center 5320 Fairbanks Drive

  • 98 02/12/2024 Lancaster Elementary School 9230 Elgin Drive

  • 98 02/09/2024 Carl's Jr Restaurant #2636 1305 Horizon Blvd.

  • 98 02/12/2024 Alchemy Karate Academy 1613 Zaragoza Road

  • 98 02/09/2024 Dollar General #8858 5111 Fairbanks Drive

  • 97 02/13/2024 Horizon Golf Bar 16000 Ashford St.

  • 97 02/14/2024 The First Presbyterian Church 1340 Murchison Drive

  • 97 02/13/2024 DK #609 5201 Fairbanks Drive

  • 97 02/09/2024 Dollar General Store #10533 12686 Alameda Ave.

  • 97 02/09/2024 Learning Station Daycare And Preschool 6215 Upper Valley Road

  • 97 02/13/2024 Dollar General #8816 500 N Zaragoza Road

  • 97 02/09/2024 Dominos Pizza 12420 Edgemere Blvd.

  • 97 02/13/2024 McDonald's 8675 Alameda Ave.

  • 96 02/13/2024 Pizza Hut #39180 601 Zaragoza Road

  • 96 02/09/2024 Glia's Coffee 404 Arizona Ave.

  • 96 02/13/2024 Canutillo Middle School 7311 Bosque Road

  • 96 02/13/2024 Burger King 14290 Horizon Blvd.

  • 96 02/12/2024 DK #612 5830 Dyer St.

  • 95 02/13/2024 Fast Market #4578 1500 Zaragoza Road

  • 95 02/09/2024 Eskimo Hut 13100 Bowdoin Drive

  • 95 02/13/2024 Nano's Daycare 171 Zaragoza Road

  • 95 02/13/2024 Taco Bell T041735 8830 North Loop Drive

  • 95 02/13/2024 McDonalds #11021 625 N. Zaragoza Road

  • 95 02/13/2024 Northwest Early College 6701 Desert Blvd.

  • 95 02/12/2024 Circle K Food Store 1500 George Dieter Drive

  • 95 02/13/2024 Okoli Cafe #2 12275 Pellicano Drive

  • 95 02/13/2024 Subway #22168 500 Zaragoza Road

  • 94 02/09/2024 Queen And King's Pizza 100 S San Elizario Road

  • 94 02/13/2024 De Pasadita 14010 Horizon Blvd.

  • 94 02/12/2024 DK #648 1490 George Dieter Drive

  • 94 02/09/2024 Nueva Vida 8825 North Loop Drive

  • 94 02/13/2024 Speedway #9809 8500 Alameda Ave.

  • 94 02/13/2024 El Paso Country Club 5000 Country Club Plaza

  • 94 02/13/2024 Burger King #17128 730 Zaragoza Road

  • 94 02/09/2024 Speedy's Pizza 8825 North Loop Drive

  • 93 02/09/2024 Royal Carnitas 8825 North Loop Drive

  • 93 02/09/2024 El Bambino Preschool And Daycare 6101 Upper Valley Road

  • 93 02/13/2024 Jafka Home Day Care 511 Zebu Road

  • 93 02/14/2024 Subway 1520 N Resler Drive

  • 93 02/13/2024 The Olive Garden Italian Restaurant # 1749 1870 Joe Battle Blvd.

  • 93 02/14/2024 San Eli Supermercado- Tortilleria 13800 Socorro Road

  • 92 02/09/2024 Cici's Pizza #464 4654 Transmountain Drive

  • 92 02/14/2024 Boba Loca 1610 N Zaragoza Road

  • 92 02/13/2024 Little Caesars #319 14476 Horizon Blvd.

  • 92 02/13/2024 Burger King 10115 Rushing Drive

  • 92 02/13/2024 Lonches Juaritos 8404 Alameda Ave.

  • 92 02/13/2024 El Paso County Club 5000 Country Club Plaza

  • 91 02/13/2024 VIP Lounge Inc 5201 Fairbanks Drive

  • 91 02/12/2024 Chelitos Burger -Flautas- Beer & More 2400 N Mesa St.

  • 91 02/09/2024 Clint Country Store 13210 Alameda Ave.

  • 91 02/09/2024 Little Caesars #317 12798 Edgemere Blvd.

  • 91 02/13/2024 Copia Shamrock 511 N Copia St.

  • 90 02/13/2024 Horizon Golf Restaurant 16000 Ashford St.

  • 90 02/09/2024 Jefita's Tamales 8825 North Loop Drive

  • 90 02/09/2024 Jaramillo's Birrieria 8825 North Loop Drive

  • 90 02/13/2024 The Market 12275 Pellicano Drive

  • 90 02/13/2024 Domino's Pizza 8613 Alameda Ave.

  • 90 02/09/2024 Hilton Garden Inn El Paso 111 W University Ave.

  • 90 02/13/2024 Foster Lulu For The Elderly 9871 Isaac Drive

  • 90 02/09/2024 Coffee Waffle 13178 Alameda Ave.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso County restaurant that had health violations in inspections