Local restaurant health violations: Downtown Palm Springs brunch, Greek spots shut down

Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Updated ·5 min read
Weekly restaurant inspection report from Riverside County Public Health Department.

Two downtown Palm Springs restaurants were closed by Riverside County environmental health inspectors this week, including a brunch spot that struggled with food temps and a Greek joint that's been shut down previously, according to reports conducted the week of Sept. 22 through 28.

Santorini Gyro struggled to maintain proper cool temperatures for foods stored in a refrigerator, leading to its closure. It was also "out of compliance" in several other categories, leading to a "B" grade, meaning it did not pass its inspection.

The downtown Palm Springs location has been closed twice before by health inspectors in recent years, on Nov. 2, 2021, and March 21. It was reopened Jan. 3 and March 23 of this year. Earlier this month, its Cathedral City location was shut down by the county due to lack of hot water.

Additionally, Wilma & Freida's downtown Palm Springs location was closed due to further improper hot and cold food holding temperatures. It was also "out of compliance" in other categories and scored a "B." The facility received a C grade earlier this month for improper food storage temperatures, cooling methods and a number of minor violations.

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

Santorini Gyro Palm Springs, 190 N. Palm Canyon Drive

  • Refrigerated food items, such as diced tomatoes, hummus, feta cheese, etc., measured 49 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, above the range they should be (41 degrees or below). | Potentially hazardous food items were discarded.

  • Minor violations included: Valid food managers certificate was not observed during inspection; container of detergent stored inside the sink basin of the kitchen handwash sink; gaps on front and back doors; raw shell eggs stored over produce and other ready to eat foods, iced tea and sangria from the previous day with biofilm on the surface, and measuring cups whose handles were stored in the bulk bin of sugar touching the product; unapproved equipment used for storage and food prep, and rust seen around back prep table and cook's line table; equipment that needs to be properly cleaned; improper storage of nonfunctional equipment; a mop standing in dirty mop water and clutter in front of food storage units; missing ceiling tiles and gaps; food and food debris build-up at the floor-wall junction in the back prep area.

  • Due to ongoing non-compliance and failed inspections, the permit has been revoked and the facility has closed. In order to be allowed to re-open for operation and to purchase a new operating permit, all of the violations must be corrected. Additional reinspections will be charged at an hourly rate of $199.

1 major violation

Wilma & Frieda's, 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive

  • Various food items, such as hollandaise sauce, tuna salad, short ribs, diced tomatoes, hashbrowns and breakfast potatoes, were not held at the proper temperatures of at/below 41 degrees or at/above 135 degrees. | Food items were discarded or relocated to maintain at proper temperatures. Certain refrigerators remain impounded.

  • Minor violations included: Multiple flies observed in facility; gaps around swinging doors and other door; cooked chicken stored next to raw beef, and uncovered items stored in fridge; large accumulation of water on the bottom shelf of the bar refrigerator unit, which was not in use; accumulation of grease inside of the fryer cabinet at the cooks line; sanitizer in bucket to be greater than the approved concentration.

  • The facility's permit has been revoked and it has closed for failure to maintain a score of 90 or above. The “Facility Closed” sign must remain posted until all of the violations have been corrected, a re-inspection occurs, a new permit is issued and approval to re-open is granted by the county.

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

  • India Oven Restaurant, 35-875 Date Palm Drive, Suite D8

  • El Revolucionario Mexican Restaurant, 35-915 Date Palm Drive, Suite 1-2

Coachella

  • Diana's Bakery, 52-565 Cesar Chavez St., Suite 108

  • Patty's Raspados & Ice Cream Inc., 52-669 Harrison St.

Desert Hot Springs

  • Desert Hot Springs Spa, 10-805 Palm Drive

Indio

  • Yahis Tacos, 83-711 Peach St.

La Quinta

  • Marvyn's Magic Theater, 46-630 Washington Blvd.

Palm Desert

  • Flor de Jalisco, 42-215 Washington St., Suite G

  • Oasis Country Club, 42-300 Casbah Way

  • Oasis Grille, 42-300 Casbah Way

Palm Springs

  • Del Taco, 102 N. Sunrise Way (Reopened after a follow-up inspection)

  • Panda Express, 425 S. Sunrise Way, Suite H-1

  • John Henry's Cafe, 1785 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way

  • Palm Springs Koffi, 1700 S. Camino Real

  • Rooftop 262 Bar & Grill, 262 S. Palm Canyon, Suite 200

  • The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn, 412 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way

  • Tutti Frutti, 245 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A-3

  • Maleza at Drift Hotel Palm Springs, 284 S. Indian Canyon Drive

  • Taco Bell, 1717 E. Vista Chino St., Building E

  • Firehouse Subs, 5200 E. Ramon Road, Suite G4

  • Jack in the Box, 5200 E. Ramon Road

Note: No restaurant inspections were reported for the week of Sept. 22 through 28 in Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage.

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: Downtown Palm Springs brunch, Greek spots shut down over food temps