Here's how Nueces County restaurants scored in health inspections for November 2023
In November, Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District inspectors found an employee not washing their hands after smoking, mold on/in ice, outdated food for sale and other health violations.
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 against 47 different violations, each scoring from 3 to 1.
Out of more than 230 businesses inspected, 40 scored below a 90 and 52 received perfect scores. In November, Agave Jalisco Mexican Restaurant on Ayers Street scored the worst with a 73.
Here are the worst and best scores restaurants were given during November 2023.
Agave Jalisco Mexican Restaurant
2001 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 28 and received a 73. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, raw chicken stored above cheese, roaches and pans not cleaned thoroughly.
Agave Jalisco was last inspected in August 2023 and scored a 77.
Asian Cafe
2233 Airline Road
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 20 and received an 87. Inspectors found eggs stored on the floor inside the walk-in cooler, toxic chemicals stored near food, dirty vent hoods and mold inside freezer and coolers.
Asian Cafe was last inspected in August 2023 and scored an 89.
Bingo Taco #2
4838 Crosstown Expy
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 6 and received an 87. Inspectors found raw meat stored above cooked food, a dirty microwave, dirty refrigerators and no paper towels at a hand washing sink.
Bingo Taco was last inspected in August 2023 and scored a 94.
Boathouse Bar & Grill
15241 Leeward Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 28 and received an 85. Inspectors found food not covered in refrigerator, mold inside the ice machine, dirty walls and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.
Boathouse Bar & Grill was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 81.
Bubba's 33
1921 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 2 and received an 87. Inspectors found employees not washing hands before putting on gloves, toxic chemicals stored improperly, employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards and a dirty ice scoop container.
Bubba's was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 95.
Buffalo Wild Wings
2001 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 9 and received an 84. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, gnats, employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards and pans not fully washed.
Buffalo Wild Wings was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 90.
Burger King
3941 Crosstown Expy.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 27 and received an 83. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, ham not being held held in the cooler, employees without food handlers permits and gnats.
Burger King was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 99.
Cancun Mexican Restaurant
1023 Highway 361
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 14 and received an 84. Inspectors found raw meat stored above cooked food, toxic chemicals stored improperly, mold in air vents and employees not washing hands when handling ready-to-eat food.
Cancun was last inspected in August 2023 and scored an 83.
Casa Vieja Jalisco
6202 Yorktown Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 14 and received an 83. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, no certified food manager present, employees without food handler's permits and blood not cleaned up in the walk-in cooler.
Casa Vieja was last inspected in September 2023 and scored an 81.
Chacho's Tacos
3700 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 29 and received an 83. Inspectors found raw meat stored above vegetables, employees not washing their hands, food not dated and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.
Chacho's was last inspected in August 2023 and scored an 89.
Chapala Grill Mexican Restaurant
2330 Airline Road
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 20 and received an 83. Inspectors found no certified food manager present, employees without food handlers permits, food not dated and employees not wearing beard guards.
Chapala Grill was last inspected in September 2023 and scored a 94.
China Bear Restaurant
10514 Leopard St.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 27 and received an 82. Inspectors found food being stored on the floor, food being reheated improperly, an employee not washing their hands after smoking and a dirty oven.
China Bear was last inspected in August 2023 and scored an 87.
Dunkin' Donuts
6093 Saratoga Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 8 and received an 88. Inspectors found employees without food handler's permits, a dirty walk-in cooler, dusty walls and dirty restrooms.
Dunkin' Donuts was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 92.
El Gallo de Jalisco #1
10329 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 13 and received an 89. Inspectors found toxic chemicals stored improperly, roaches, rodent droppings and food not dated.
El Gallo was last inspected in August 2023 and scored a 91.
El Potro Mexican Restaurant
6085 Weber Road
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 13 and received an 83. Inspectors found a dirty ice bin, cooks not washing their hands in-between tasks, employees not wearing gloves when handling ready-to-eat food and the hand washing sink not working.
El Potro was last inspected in March 2023 and scored a 95.
Golden Chick
3138 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 3 and received an 85. Inspectors found cooked chicken not being held at the proper temperature, a dirty ice machine, dirty soda nozzles and no toilet paper in the men's restroom.
Golden Chick was last inspected in September 2023 and scored a 93.
Golden Crown
6601 Everhart Road
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 20 and received an 89. Inspectors found drinks stored on the floor, food not dated, a dirty walk-in cooler and no thermometers inside coolers and freezer.
Golden Crown was last inspected in July 2023 and scored an 85.
Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet
5274 S. Staples St.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 16 and received an 83. Inspectors found food stored on the floor, toxic chemicals stored near food, dirty air conditioning vents and food not dated.
Hibachi Grill was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 92.
Hunan Express #1
5502 Everhart Road
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 10 and received a 75. Inspectors found food stored on the floor, employees not washing hands, no certified manager present and employees eating at the counter. As well, employees didn't wear hairnets or beard guards, food was thawed incorrectly and the restaurant had a dirty grill and a dirty women's restroom.
Hunan Express was last inspected in August 2023 and scored an 83.
Hunan Express #2
5997 Williams Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 9 and received a 78. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, dirty drink nozzles, employees without food handler's permits and a mass amount of flies in the kitchen.
Hunan Express was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 78.
Jalisco Meat Market
2763 S. Staples St.
The meat market was inspected on Nov. 20 and received an 82. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, a dirty ice machine, employee not washing their hands after wiping them on their apron and gnats. Health inspectors also found outdated food for sale.
Jalisco Meat Market was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 90.
Jersey Mike's
3235 S. Alameda St.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 20 and received an 89. Inspectors found employees not washing hands before putting on gloves, toxic chemicals stored near food, overflowing garbage and employees not wearing hair nets or beard guards.
Jersey Mike's was last inspected in August 2023 and scored a 92.
La Isla Mexicana Restaurant
14237 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 6 and received an 87. Inspectors found mold on/in ice, employees not wearing gloves when handling ready-to-eat food and employees not wearing beard guards.
La Isla was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 90.
La Michoacana Meat Market #1
4214 Ayers St.
The meat market was inspected on Nov. 29 and received an 82. Inspectors found tamales, ceviche and ground beef not being held at the proper temperature, toxic chemicals stored near meat, employees not wearing hairnets and no soap at the employee hand washing sink.
La Michoacana was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 91.
La Palatera #1
5021 Kostoryz Road
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 1 and received an 86. Inspectors found toxic chemicals stored improperly, no certified food manager present, rodent droppings and employees not wearing hairnets.
La Palatera was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 99.
Luby's
5730 Saratoga Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 15 and received an 84. Inspectors found a dirty reach-in cooler, gnats, employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards and food not dated.
Luby's was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 79.
My Favorite Muffin
3264 S. Alameda St.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 21 and received an 83. Inspectors found a flour container stored underneath a sink drain, a dirty ice machine, employees not washing hands before putting on gloves and employees not wearing hairnets.
My Favorite Muffin was last inspected in August 2023 and scored a 98.
Pavani Express
3206 Tiger Lane
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 28 and received an 85. Inspectors found spices not covered when not in use, a leaky sink, no certified food manager present and employees without food handlers permits.
Pavani Express was last inspected in August 2023 and scored an 88.
Pho D'Noodle House
3403 S. Padre Island Drive
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 22 and received an 85. Inspectors found egg rolls not being held at the proper temperature, food not dated, dirty table equipment and employees not wearing hairnets.
Pho D'Noodle House was last inspected in October 2023 and scored an 85.
Price's Chef
1800 S. Alameda St.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 21 and received an 80. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, toxic chemicals stored near pans and pancake mix, roaches and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.
Price's was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 95.
Saenz Meat Market
4337 Kostoryz Road
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 11 and received an 81. Inspectors found venison stored inside the meat cooler, rodent droppings, employees without food handler's permits and propane tanks stored inside building.
Saenz Meat Market was last inspected in May 2023 and scored an 89.
Taqueria El Alteno #1
2601 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 16 and received an 81. Inspectors found raw meat stored above cooked food, pans and knives not fully washed, toxic chemicals stored near tortilla mix and meat being improperly thawed.
Taqueria El Alteno was last inspected in July 2023 and scored a 91.
Taqueria El Charly
3002 S. Port Ave.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 28 and received an 89. Inspectors found raw meat stored above tomatoes, toxic chemicals stored near food and equipment, food not dated and food being improperly thawed.
Taqueria El Charly was last inspected in August 2023 and scored an 84.
Taqueria Express and Seafood
4346 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 30 and received an 84. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, raw meat stored above vegetables, pans not cleaned thoroughly and a dirty microwave.
Taqueria Express and Seafood was last inspected in July 2023 and scored an 88.
Taqueria Jalisco #2
2341 Horne Road
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 1 and received an 89. Inspectors found raw meat stored above cooked food, uncovered food, employees not wearing beard guards and food not dated.
Taqueria Jalisco was last inspected in May 2023 and scored an 88.
Taqueria Jalisco #10
2433 Cimarron Blvd.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 1 and received an 86. Inspectors found buckets stored inside ice machine, gnats, employees eating in the kitchen and toxic chemicals stored improperly.
Taqueria Jalisco was last inspected in September 2023 and scored an 80.
Taqueria La Tapatia #5
5401 Kostoryz Road
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 2 and received an 82. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, employees not washing their hands, employees not wearing beard guards and employees not wearing gloves when handling ready-to-eat food.
Taqueria La Tapatia was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 86.
Vaqueros de Jalisco
4402 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 6 and received an 80. Inspectors found raw meat stored above vegetables, a dirty ice machine, dirty margarita machine nozzles and employees not washing hands.
Vaqueros de Jalisco was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 96.
Whipped Up Bakery and Frozen Yogurt Shop
4101 US-77
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 15 and received an 89. Inspectors found a refrigerator not running at the proper temperature, multiple dirty ovens, dirty floors and food not dated.
Whipped Up Bakery and Frozen Yogurt Shop was last inspected in August 2023 and scored a 97.
Wingstop
4918 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected on Nov. 1 and received an 89. Inspectors found employees not washing their hands, flies, toxic chemicals stored improperly and the hand washing sink blocked.
Wingstop was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 100.
Perfect scores (100)
Absolutely Candy: 4411 S. Alameda St.
Bahama Bucks: 6125 Saratoga Blvd.
The Barn Drive Thru Beer & Keg Haus: 4301 S. Alameda St.
The Brick Bar + Bites: 4535 S. Padre Island Drive
Burger King: 1124 Waldron Road
Cabana Pantry: 14493 S. Padre Island Drive
Celsita's: 15401 S. Padre Island Drive
Chick-fil-A: 13701 Northwest Blvd.
Cici's Pizza: 1502 Airline Road
Coffee Waves: 5738 S. Alameda St.
Dairy Queen: 5919 McArdle Road
Dairy Queen: 100 N. Highway 77
Domino's: 15401 S. Padre Island Drive
Domino's: 2501 S. Highway 361
Donut Palace: 14602 Compass St.
Double J Jerky: 9359 IH-37
Dulces: 9922 Leopard St.
Empowered Nutrition: 1122 Morgan Ave.
Fiiz Drinks: 5940 S. Padre Island Drive
Fired Up Nutrition: 10501 Leopard St.
Fitrition Planet: 5230 Kostoryz Road
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: 4018 S. Padre Island Drive
Granny's Hot Tamales: 2033 Airline Road
Gully's Pub: 3029 Laguna Shores Road
Honey Baked Ham & Cafe: 1502 Airline Road
Impact Nutrition: 7114 Saratoga Blvd.
In the Game Funtrackers: 9605 S. Padre Island Drive
Lucky's Sports Bar: 3833 Saratoga Blvd.
Oasis Tavern: 722 Naval Air Station Drive
Oso Rose Beer Garden: 2001 Yorktown Blvd.
Panda Express: 4119 S. Staples St.
Paul's Seafood Market: 9810 S. Padre Island Drive
The Pelican Lounge: 14330 S. Padre Island Drive
PKK: 213 N. Chaparral St.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: 5488 S. Padre Island Drive
Saigon's Civet Cafe: 2222 Airline Road
Schlotzsky's: 5805 Weber Road
The Slip: 15037 S. Padre Island Drive
Southern Style Sweets: 2134 Waldron Road
Step Up Nutrition: 5315 Everhart Road
Subway: 1115 Highway 361
Subway: 4128 S. Staples St.
Subway: 4101 Highway 77 L-7
Sweet Swirl Frozen Yogurt: 14457 S. Padre Island Drive
Tapology Texas Pub: 4334 S. Staples St.
The Terrace Restaurant Bar: 3741 S. Alameda St.
Treasure Island Golf & Games: 14041 S. Padre Island Drive
Wendy's: 5934 S. Padre Island Drive
Whataburger: 1521 Airline Road
Whataburger: 7702 S. Padre Island Drive
Whataburger: 6241 Saratoga Blvd.
Whataburger: 4021 IH 69 Access Road
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Mold on/in ice: Which eateries had low health district scores
