Local restaurant health inspections: Popular Palm Springs brunch spot closes again

Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·6 min read
Weekly restaurant inspection report from Riverside County Public Health Department.

A downtown Palm Springs brunch restaurant continues to struggle with Riverside County environmental health inspections and has been shut down for the second time in almost two months, according to reports conducted Nov. 3 through 9.

Wilma & Frieda, located at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, was cited for improper cooling methods and several minor violations, leading to a score of 87 out of 100, or a "B." The grade would normally not shut down most restaurants, but the brunch spot has had ongoing noncompliance issues and failed inspections in recent months. It was shut down on Thursday, less than two months since it was last closed on Sept. 28 (the facility was reopened Sept. 29 and scored 100 on its reinspection).

Major violations pose an imminent risk to public health and warrant the immediate closure of a food facility or immediate correction, while minor violations do not pose a public health risk, but do warrant correction.

1 major violation, 13 points deducted

Wilma & Frieda, 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

  • Observed several containers of food not rapidly cooled using the proper procedures. Food items were discarded.

  • Minor violations include: Observed an employee touch a soiled wiping cloth with their gloved hand and then continue to prepare food; apple pie and pumpkin cheesecake measuring 56-57 degrees instead of the proper holding temperature of at or below 41/45 degrees; food debris and grease residue on food contact surfaces, observed a chef wrap a soiled wiping cloth around a pair of tongs, and noted a dishwasher without proper chlorine concentration; inadequate food storage; equipment needing cleaning or repair; observed soiled utensils and wiping clothes stored around prep area and cooks line; issues with drain line of ice bin and drainage piping of the three-compartment ware washing sink; personal items stored around prep area; floors needing cleaning.

  • Due to on-going non-compliance and failed inspections, the facility's permit has been revoked and the facility has been closed until all violations have been corrected, a reinspection occurs and a new permit to operate has been obtained. A closure sign has been posted, and a reinspection of the facility has been scheduled for Nov. 16

1 major violation, 16 points deducted

Castaneda's Mexican Food, 13-997 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs

  • Observed an employee to wash a knife, rinse the knife under water and then return it to the magnetic strip without first sanitizing it. Wall-mounted dicer also contained food debris, and interior of the ice machine contained biofilm.

  • Minor violations include: Hand washing sink across from the cooks line lacked paper towels; prep sink did not contain hot water temperature of at least 120 degrees; back door could not fully close; improper rapid defrosting procedures; ice bin at the drive-thru window to be left uncovered and unattended; bowls and other containers of food items stacked directly on top of produce, and bags of flour stored improperly; wiping clothes used to line drain board, cooking knives wedged between equipment at the cooks line and handle of a scoop to be in contact with the beans; light fixtures lacking covers; observed several used wiping cloths stored along the prep surfaces at the cooks line; floors need cleaning.

  • "B" card posted and a reinspection date has been set for Nov. 9

0 major violations, but 14 points deducted

Michael's Cafe, 35-955 Date Palm Drive, Suite A3-4, Cathedral City

  • Minor violations include: Employee rinsed hands on top of cut potatoes that were cooling on ice inside food preparation sink, used a wiping cloth to clean a knife then to clean his hands, used a wiping cloth to wipe cutting board then wipe his hands and used apron to clean his hands prior to handling raw meat; various food items did not meet proper holding temperatures at or below 41 degrees or at or above 135 degrees; improper rapid cooling methods; improper reheating procedure; observed employees use unclean, dry wiping cloths to wipe a knife and cutting boards, and employee removed knife from food preparation sink and placed it inside the knife storage rack before properly cleaning; instances of possible food contamination (wiping cloth with food debris on it stored on top of tater tots, open bags of flour and gravy mix stored on shelving near food preparation sink, a package of raw salmon stored above containers of jalapeños and diced ham, etc.); utensils and equipment needing repair; accumulation of food debris on stove top and shelving throughout two-door cooler; improper storage of utensils; improper storage of wiping clothes; personal item stored above clean equipment at ware washing area

  • "B" card posted and a reinspection date of Nov. 13 has been set

Grade A restaurants

An "A" grade, or a score of 90 to 100 points, means a restaurant passed an inspection and met minimum health standards.

Cathedral City

  • Santorini Greek Cafe, 68-375 E. Palm Canyon Drive

  • Swiss Donut, 69-115 Ramon Road (reopened following reinspection)

Coachella

  • La Cazuela Restaurant, 52-805 Harrison St.

  • Mariscoco's Culiacan, 51-683 Harrison St.

  • Mariscos El Capitan, 52-565 Harrison St., Suite 101

  • Tacos El Viejon, 51-697 Harrison St.

  • Taquería Guadalajara, 51-335 Harrison St., Suite 103

Desert Hot Springs

  • Desert Crest Coffee Shop, 16-900 Desert Crest Ave.

Indio

  • Mi Tierra Bakery, 45-228 Oasis St.

  • Starbucks, 82-041 Ave 42

  • Taco Bell, 42-750 Jackson St.

La Quinta

  • Okura Robata Grill & Sushi Bar, 78-480 Highway 111

  • B's Table, 54-805 Avenida Vallejo

  • Carl's Jr., 78-672 Highway 111

Palm Desert

  • Jillian's, 74-155 El Paseo

  • La Spiga Ristorante Italiano, 72-557 Highway 111

  • Bellatrix, 75-200 Classic Club Blvd.

  • Classic Club, 75-200 Classic Club Blvd.

  • Mr B's Subs, 74-600 Highway 111, Suite F

  • Sam's Club (includes food market, snack bar, FujiSan Sushi), 34-220 Monterey Ave.

  • Walmart (includes deli and food market), 34-500 Monterey Ave.

Palm Springs

  • Panera Bread Cafe, 5200 E. Ramon Road, Suite F1

  • Ralph's (includes food market, bakery and deli), 425 S. Sunrise Way

  • Bread and Flours, 2100 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 105

  • El Patio Palm Springs, 139 E. Andreas Road

  • Winchell's Donut House, 1717 E. Vista Chino, Suite B5

Rancho Mirage

  • In-N-Out Burgers, 42-560 Bob Hope Drive

  • Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, 41-000 Bob Hope Drive

Note: No restaurant inspections were reported for the week of Nov. 3 through 9 in Indian Wells.

This weekly report was compiled using restaurant grading reports from the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, accessible at restaurantgrading.rivcoeh.org/Default.aspx

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Wilma & Frieda in Palm Springs closed again after health inspection