Black slime and moldy strawberries: See latest Sacramento County restaurant inspections

Sacramento County health inspectors recently closed a local boba shop after discovering dust, “dried residue” and a lack of hot water.

Meanwhile, six food-serving facilities including a hotel and a convenience store received yellow placards due to violations such as black slime, moldy strawberries, dirty shelves and a dying cockroach.

A yellow placard signals two or more major violations, according to the Sacramento County Food Inspection Guide. These are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection.

A red placard signals “imminent danger to public health and safety” and suspends the health permit until violations are corrected. This could include, but is not limited to, major vermin contamination.

In contrast, a green placard means a restaurant passed the inspection.

The county conducts roughly 14,000 inspections a year, and 97% of all restaurants pass their inspections, spokesman Ken Casparis previously told The Bee. About 1% of inspections result in a closure.

Health inspectors recently closed La Sobrocita, due to lack of hot water at the restaurant, last week. The Mexican restaurant reopened Feb. 29.

Here are the Sacramento County food facility inspections for Feb. 29 through Wednesday, as of noon Thursday:

If an inspection listed below needs clarification, business owners can email Sacramento Bee reporter Jacqueline Pinedo at jpinedo@sacbee.com. The Bee will publish weekly updates on health inspections across Sacramento County.

Health inspectors close Sacramento boba shop

Happy Lemon, 3660 Crocker Drive in Sacramento, had nine violations on Wednesday.

There was no hot water at any of the boba shop’s sinks during Wednesday’s inspection. Sacramento County regulations require that the water temperature at food facilities should reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Dried residue” was on the lower shelf of a table in the back preparation area, and there were dusty particles on the vent covers on the front of the ice machine, the inspection report said.

Bulk food scoopers were stored inside bulk food containers in violation of the rules, according to the report.

In addition, inspectors found that the boba shop’s food safety certification and employee food handler cards had expired.

The Sacramento Bee called the cafe for comment on Thursday afternoon, but no one answered the phone.

Sacramento County restaurants cited for health violations

The following Sacramento County restaurants had violations the week of Feb. 29 through March 6, resulting in a conditional pass.

Only the dates of violations are listed. Most restaurants fully pass reinspection within 72 hours. The reports are linked. For updates on individual restaurants, you can search the EMD website here.

Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, 300 J St. in Sacramento, had 18 violations on Monday.

Inspectors observed hotel employees’ coffee beverages stored on top of food preparation tables, as well as water bottles on prep counters, according to Monday’s inspection report.

Inspectors also saw a cut melon on a push cart near a prep sink, and asked employees to discard the fruit.

Strawberries stored in a walk-in cooler had mold growth and there was buildup on the tooth of a tabletop-mounted can opener, according to the report.

The banquet kitchen line had a clogged floor drain during Monday’s inspection.

In addition, inspectors observed slime and mold growth on the floor and on the cove base in the walk-in cooler.

The hotel was reinspected on Wednesday and received a green placard.

Mezcal Grill, 5701 Broadway in Sacramento, had 10 violations on Monday.

Inspectors observed “excessive” amounts of black mold and slime-like buildup inside the ice machine, according to Monday’s report, as well as old food residue on a can opener mounted on a table.

A frozen chicken was being improperly thawed on Monday, the inspection report said, and spanish rice was outside of its proper holding temperature.

Additionally, multiple open and uncovered food containers were in a two-door reach-in cooler across from the cooks line.

The restaurant was reinspected on Tuesday and received a green placard.

Pho ABC Inc, 7811 Greenback Lane in Sacramento, had three violations on Tuesday.

After a Feb. 28 inspection turned up violations such as improperly thawing meat, chicken being stored in a dirty container and missing California food handler cards, Sacramento County officials did two reinspections.

Inspectors found three violations during a March 1 reinspection, including a sink near a walk-in refrigerator that was was out of soap.

On Tuesday, inspectors noted violations including unapproved cardboard boxes being used to store food in the refrigerator.

In addition, the shelves in the refrigerator were not clean, according to Tuesday’s report.

7 Eleven, 5080 Auburn Blvd. in Sacramento, had nine violations on Wednesday.

Chicken sandwiches and chicken wings were being held at improper holding temperatures, according to Wednesday’s inspection report. There was also a lack of hot water at the facility.

Inspectors observed “debris buildup beneath beverage dispensers.”

As of Thursday afternoon, the convenience store had not been reinspected.

Cafe Dolce, 3140 Gold Camp Drive in Rancho Cordova, had eight violations on Wednesday.

Inspectors saw “one dying cockroach” on the floor of the hallway near the rear door on Wednesday, according to the report.

Chicken breast, roast beef and turkey ham were outside of their proper holding temperatures on Wednesday, the report said, and the floors under the prep line were unclean.

The restaurant had not been reinspected as of Thursday afternoon.

Sellands Market Cafe, 915 Broadway in Sacramento, had six violations on Wednesday.

Inspectors observed a “large amount of turkey” thawing improperly on Wednesday, as well as used utensils in stagnant cold water.

The hand sink next to the register had no paper towels during Wednesday’s inspection, according to the report.

As of Thursday afternoon, the cafe had not been reinspected.

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