Here's how Nueces County restaurants scored in health inspections for February 2024

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·7 min read

In February, Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District inspectors found food stored on the floor, employees eating in the kitchen, gnats and other health violations.

Out of more than 160 businesses inspected, 19 scored below a 90 and 30 received perfect scores. In February, Agave Jalisco on Ayers Street and Hunan Express on Everhart Road scored the worst, each with a 75.

The health district describes a food establishment as a place that sells or serves food to the public, which can include bars, hotels, apartments, schools and food trucks. These establishments must get an annual permit and be inspected by the health district.

Inspections are based on a demerit system, in accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services. The inspection report checks for 47 different violations, each scoring from 3 to 1.

Joanie Garza, a public health inspector with the city, uses a thermometer to check the temperature of meat in warm holding during a restaurant inspection on June, 6 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Joanie Garza, a public health inspector with the city, uses a thermometer to check the temperature of meat in warm holding during a restaurant inspection on June, 6 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Here are the worst and best scores restaurants were given during February 2024.

Agave Jalisco

2001 Ayers St.

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 20 and received a 75. Inspectors found chicken and beef not being held at the proper temperature, raw chicken stored above beef, a dirty ice machine and dishes not washed thoroughly. Inspectors also found roaches and gnats.

Agave Jalisco was last inspected in November 2023 and scored a 73.

Astor Restaurant

5533 Leopard St.

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 12 and received an 88. Inspectors found food stacked on the ground, an expired health permit, cleaning cloths not stored in sanitizing solution and food not labeled.

Astor was last inspected in February 2023 and scored a 78.

Black Sheep Bistro

15201 S. Padre Island Drive

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 7 and received an 85. Inspectors found raw meat stored improperly, mold in the ice machine, gnats and employees not wearing beard guards.

Black Sheep Bistro was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 90.

Guadalajara Grill

15938 Northwest Blvd.

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 1 and received an 82. Inspectors found meat and vegetables stored together, a dirty ice machine, evidence of pest contamination and toxic chemicals stored improperly.

Guadalajara Grill was last inspected in October 2023 and scored a 96.

Hawaii Poke & Ramen

4002 S. Padre Island Drive

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 23 and received an 89. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, food not dated, food not labeled and cleaning cloths not in sanitizing solution.

Hawaii Poke & Ramen was last inspected in October 2023 and scored a 100.

Joanie Garza, a public health inspector with the city, checks the thermometer inside of a refrigerator during a restaurant inspection June 6, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Joanie Garza, a public health inspector with the city, checks the thermometer inside of a refrigerator during a restaurant inspection June 6, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Hermano Solis Restaurant #3

5409 Leopard St.

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 20 and received an 80. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, no certified food manager present, an expired health permit and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.

Hermano Solis Restaurant was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 90.

Hunan Express #1

5502 Everhart Road

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 20 and received a 75. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, food stored on the floor, toxic chemicals stored improperly and a dirty drink station.

Astor was last inspected in November 2023 and scored a 75.

La Mexicana Bakery & Tortilla Factory

6337 S. Padre Island Drive

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 27 and received an 89. Inspectors found food and drinks stored on the floor, a dirty freezer, food not labeled and missing ceiling tiles.

La Mexicana Bakery was last inspected in October 2023 and scored an 89.

Linda's Mexican Restaurant

4033 Gollihar Road

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 1 and received a 79. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, raw chicken stored above beef, employees not washing hands when changing tasks and employees not wearing gloves.

Linda's was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 96.

McDonald's

11202 Leopard St.

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 22 and received an 89. Inspectors found dirty soda nozzles, a dirty ice machine, ants and employees not wearing hairnets.

McDonald's was last inspected in December 2023 and scored a 100.

Mesquite Street Pizza & Pasta Co.

617 Mesquite St.

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 9 and received an 86. Inspectors found food stored on the ground, no paper towels or soap at the handwashing sink, toxic chemicals stored improperly and food not labeled.

Mesquite Street was last inspected in October 2023 and scored a 93.

Noodles and Dumplings

6505 Everhart Road

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 26 and received an 81. It was also inspected Feb. 15 and received a 90. On the most recent date, inspectors found a clogged drain, toxic chemicals stored improperly, gnats and employees eating in the kitchen.

Noodles and Dumplings was last inspected in January 2023 and scored a 90.

Smoothie King

5017 Saratoga Blvd.

The smoothie shop was inspected Feb. 26 and received an 87. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, no certified food manager present, employees without food handlers permits and an expired health permit. Inspectors also found gnats and a dirty ice cream cooler.

Smoothie King was last inspected in October 2023 and scored a 95.

Joanie Garza, a public health inspector with the city, checks the expiration date on bread during a restaurant inspection on June, 6 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Joanie Garza, a public health inspector with the city, checks the expiration date on bread during a restaurant inspection on June, 6 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Sonny's Restaurant

4066 S. Port Ave.

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 7 and received an 84. Inspectors found food being thawed together with raw meat, knives stored between equipment and walls, gnats and toxic chemicals stored near coffee filters.

Sonny's was last inspected in October 2023 and scored an 84.

Subway

1620 S. Padre Island Drive

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 6 and received an 89. Inspectors found pans not thoroughly washed, toxic chemicals stored near plasticware, gnats and employees wearing jewelry.

Subway was last inspected in November 2023 and scored a 90.

Taqueria Jalisco #2

2341 Horne Road

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 13 and received an 87. Inspectors found raw meat stored above cooked vegetables, pans not thoroughly washed, toxic chemicals stored near food and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.

Taqueria Jalisco was last inspected in November 2023 and scored an 89.

Taqueria La Cabana

10669 Leopard St.

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 1 and received a 78. Inspectors found eggs not being held at the proper temperature, meat stored above vegetables, a dirty microwave and evidence of pest contamination.

Taqueria La Cabana was last inspected in October 2023 and scored a 90.

Taqueria La Tapatia #5

5401 Kostoryz Road

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 19 and received an 86. Inspectors found a broken freezer, food not being held at the proper temperature, toxic chemicals stored near food and no certified food manager present.

Taqueria La Tapatia was last inspected in November 2023 and scored an 82.

Vaqueros de Jalisco

4402 Ayers St.

The restaurant was inspected Feb. 15 and received an 80. Inspectors found food stored on the floor, dirty microwaves, an expired health permit and personal items stored on top of potatoes.

Vaqueros de Jalisco was last inspected in November 2023 and scored an 80.

Perfect scores (100)

  • Bell Aroma Cafe: 711 N. Carancahua St.

  • Boarri Craft Butchery: 817 S. Staples St.

  • CC Donuts: 4006 Weber Road

  • Celsita's: 15401 S. Padre Island Drive

  • Citrus SSS Bistro: 500 N. Shoreline Blvd.

  • Cookie By Design: 4709 S. Alameda St.

  • Dairy Queen: 5002 Greenwood Drive

  • The Donut Palace: 604 N. Alister St.

  • Estrella de Jalisco Mexican Restaurant: 1322 Leopard St.

  • Fit and Nutrition: 1521 S. Port Ave.

  • Granny's Hot Tamales #4: 2033 Airline Road

  • Granny's Tamales Too #1: 1536 Trojan Drive

  • Landry's Seafood House: 600 N. Shoreline Blvd.

  • Lucky Panda Chinese Restaurant: 5639 Carroll Lane

  • Magnolia Grace Gelato y Mas: 14254 S. Padre Island Drive

  • Milky Coffee Bar: 5892 Everhart Road

  • Papa John's: 522 Everhart Road

  • Papa Murphy's: 4020 Weber Road

  • Pho'Tastic & Deli: 4701 S. Padre Island Drive

  • Sno Ball Too: 7114 Saratoga Blvd.

  • Sonic: 14018 S. Padre Island Drive

  • Subway: 5626 Leopard St.

  • Treasure Island Golf & Games: 14049 S. Padre Island Drive

  • Watertree: 4041 Ayers St.

  • Whataburger: 14301 S. Padre Island Drive

  • Whataburger: 7702 S. Padre Island Drive

  • Whataburger: 729 HWY 361

  • Wingstop: 5821 Weber Road

  • Yo Philly Cheese Steaks & Subs: 3314 Surfside Blvd.

  • Yummy Tummy Cheesecakes: 4820 Kostoryz Road

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or X @johnpoliva.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Expired health permits: Which eateries had low health district scores