Dishrag tissues and bugs in a drain: Results of SLO County August restaurant inspections

One local restaurant had servers using dishrags as facial tissues. Another had a bloody meat grinder and a few eateries had issues with hand washing.

Those were some of the notable conditions San Luis Obispo County health inspectors found in August during hundreds of surprise visits to eating and drinking establishments.

Many food and beverage sellers passed with flying colors, while others needed to make serious improvements.

Every month, The Tribune prints the lowest- and highest-ranked eateries to give diners more information about the places where they buy food and drinks.

Inspectors visit restaurants, bars, coffee shops, grocery stores, mini-marts and more on a monthly basis. They score eateries on a 100-point scale and make deductions based on the severity of the violations they find.

To check out the safety and cleanliness of your favorite restaurants around the county, visit www.EatSafeSLO.org and use the interactive map to view full inspection reports.

Here are the highs and lows of the inspections Environmental Health employees conducted in August.

Lowest-rated restaurants

Chili Peppers, 2121 Broad St., San Luis Obispo

Points lost: 19.5

Notes: During a routine inspection in August, a health inspector advised workers to “not use a wiping cloth as a tissue and reuse.” The inspector also noted that rice at the restaurant was being stored in a too-warm refrigerator, food contact surfaces weren’t being cleaned often enough, there were out-of-date spices, and at least one stall in the restrooms was not functional. The inspector also advised the restaurant to clear out an area outside the restaurant being used to store unused equipment and dry goods.

Kraken Coffee Co., 172 Pomeroy St., Pismo Beach

Points lost: 14.5

Notes: The coffee shop was dinged during its August inspection for a blocked handwashing sink, plus workers using another sink to both wash their hands and dump dishes and empty coffees. The inspector also noted utensils and equipment were not being sanitized properly and workers were unable to show proof they had food certification. The inspector ordered a re-inspection of the facility in light of the violations.

Garcia’s Restaurant, 9900 El Camino Real, Atascadero

Points lost: 14

Notes: During its August inspection, workers at Garcia’s Restaurant in Atascadero were seen eating, drinking and using tobacco products at the facility, according to inspection notes. Employees were also observed not properly washing their hands, using a hand wash sink as a dump sink and keeping personal items in food prep areas. The inspector also advised the restaurant to stop storing incorrectly labeled chemicals with its food and utensils, and to remove buildups of grease, food debris, dead insects and dirt from floor drains.

French Country Bistro, 7425 El Camino Real, Atascadero

Points lost: 13.5

Notes: During a routine inspection, a health inspector noted that the restaurant was in need of a “thorough cleaning,” specifically the “ovens, utensil wash area, walks behind three-compartment sink, wall in the food prep area, janitorial sink, floor sink under dish machine, fryer (interior and exterior) and floor under cook’s line equipment.” The inspector also observed blood and food debris on the meat slicer that had not been properly cleaned and sanitized before being used again, food gunk on refrigeration units and a blocked hand sink.

These businesses also lost 10 or more points due to violations.

• La Mexicana, 631 13th St., Paso Robles

• Old West Cinnamon Rolls, 861 Dolliver St., Pismo Beach

• Wooly’s/Oyster Loft, 175 Pomeroy Ave., Pismo Beach

• Santa Maria Brewing Co., 7935 San Luis Ave., Atascadero

• Morning After Cafe, 807 13th St., Paso Robles

Highest-rated restaurants

These stores and restaurants received scores of 100, with few to no violations.

San Luis Obispo

• Active Coffee Co., 570 Higuera St.
• Baht, 3845 S. Higuera St.
• Bap Jo, Department of Food Services
• Brick and Mortar Catering, caterer
• Carl’s Jr., 3980 Broad St.
• Celia Chocolatier, Department of Food Services
• Cheese Box Co, Department of Food Services
• Chef Antonio’s Italian Kitchen, caterer
• Club Bubbly, 570 Higuera St., Suite 145
• Dave’s Hot Chicken, 299 Madonna Road
• Ebony, Department of Food Services
• Kullman Catering, LLC., caterer
• See’s Candies, 283 Madonna Road
• Subway Sandwiches, 3240 Broad St.
• The Churro Cart, caterer
• The Kitchen Terminal SLO, 4750 Allene Way
• The Leroy’s at Kinney SLO, 1800 Monterey St.

North Coast

• Babydudes, 307 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay
• Days Inn, 9280 Castillo Drive, San Simeon
• Luna Llena Deli, 859 Main St., Morro Bay (change of ownership inspection)
• Tognazzini’s Dockside, 1235 Embarcadero, Morro Bay

South County

• AJ Spurs, 777 Oak Park Blvd., Grover Beach
• Five Cities Chevron, 340 Five Cities Drive, Pismo Beach
• Greenhouse Coffee Company, 1064 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande
• Me & Z’s Restaurant, 1351 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande
• Pismo Beach Candy Co., 231 Pomeroy Ave., Suite C
• Pismo Beach Liquor, 601 Highway 1, Pismo Beach
• Stefono’s Sapori D’Italia, 330 W. Tefft St, Nipomo

North County

• Ace Sushi at Vons No. 2314, 7135 El Camino Real, Atascadero
• Belnano Coffee, 8120 El Camino Real, Atascadero
• Burger King No. 24162, 180 Niblick Road, Paso Robles (change of ownership inspection)
• Castoro Cellars, 1315 N. Bethel Road, Templeton
• Evers Park Snack Bar, Gibson Road, Templeton
• Fresh Donuts, 1306 Pine St., Suite D
• Pasolivo, 8530 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles
• Paso Robles Wine Merchant, 1803 Spring St., Paso Robles

This story was originally published September 23, 2022 at 10:14 AM.