What did SLO County restaurant inspectors find in September? Mouse poop, mold and more

One local restaurant had flies in the kitchen, while inspections of other eateries turned up moldy ice machines and mouse droppings.

Those were some of the notable conditions San Luis Obispo County health inspectors found in September 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 191 inspections Environmental Health employees conducted in September 2022.

Lowest-rated restaurants

Chili’s Restaurant, 2001 Theatre Drive, Paso Robles

Points lost: 28.5

Notes: In its September inspection, a health inspector noted repeat violations at the Paso Robles Chili’s, including an overall lack of food safety knowledge among employees and other major issues that caused it to lose more than 28 points. The inspector observed broken salsa and chip station refrigeration units still being used, improperly reheated hazardous foods, food coming in contact with surfaces and equipment that had not been sanitized and foods that were stored in a way that did not protect them from contamination, according to the inspection notes. The restaurant was ordered to “thoroughly clean all equipment, cabinets and shelving” and clean grease accumulation from grounds on the exterior of the premises.

Darwish Restaurant, 967 West Grand Ave., Grover Beach

Points lost: 19.5 points

Notes: During a routine inspection in September, the Grover Beach restaurant was found to have a faulty prep top unit that was storing foods at too high a temperature, rusty pipes in the bathroom and a broken paper towel dispenser at the hand washing sink. More notably, an inspector noticed mouse droppings in the back of the facility that a worker said was from a previous infestation. The restaurant was told to immediately clean and sanitize all surfaces in facility and remove all evidence of rodents. A re-inspection was ordered later in the month to ensure the restaurant fixes its violations. If the restaurant does not fix the violations, it could be subject to fines, according to inspection notes.

Ragged Point Inn Restaurant, 19019 Highway 1, Ragged Point

Points lost: 15

Notes: Another restaurant that had repeat violations during its September inspection was the Ragged Point Inn Restaurant. According to inspection notes, a health inspector observed food being removed from temperature control and not being labeled to indicate when it would go bad; employees without food handling cards and raw fish being stored on a shelf above an open container of vegetables. The inspector also noted the restaurant needed to stop leaving doors open because there were “numerous flies throughout the facility in food preparation and storage areas.” A growth was observed on the ice chute and the facility was ordered to clean and sanitize the machine, as well as the floors of the walk-in coolers. A re-inspection was ordered for later in the month and the restaurant faces fees if it does not remedy its repeat violations.

Las Adelitas Mexican Restaurant, 7377 El Camino Real, Atascadero

Points lost: 13.5

Notes: During its inspection, a health inspector noted the facility was in need of a cleaning and was operating under a different name than its permit (Burrito Express). The inspector also noticed a mold- or slime-like substance on the inside of the ice machine being used at the restaurant, food being stored on the floor of the walk-in refrigerator and no soap or paper towels in the dispenser near the handwashing sink by the register. The restaurant was noted to have “repeat violations for cleanliness.”

Divine Thai Cuisine, 501 W. Grand Avenue, Grover Beach

Points lost: 12.5

Notes: A health inspector noted flies in the employee restroom and back food preparation room during the September inspection. The restaurant was ordered to contact pest control and to have the facility reinspected later in September; if violations were not fixed it could face further fees, according to the notes. The inspector also noticed the toilet room had a broken self-closing mechanism on the door, resulting in that door being propped open; the mop sink was blocked by janitorial supplies and equipment and fabric-covered stools were being used in the preparation room. Workers were unable to provide evidence of having food handling training and potentially hazardous foods were being improperly thawed.

Pedro’s Mexican Food Restaurant, 8550 El Camino Real, Atascadero

Points lost: 12.5

Notes: Pedro’s Mexican Food Restaurant had numerous significant violations during its September inspection, according to inspector notes — though all major violations were corrected on-site at the time of inspection. According to the notes, a health inspector observed potentially hazardous foods being kept at the wrong temperature: the salad-prep fridge was too warm while the rice and beans prep table was not warm enough. A separate fridge was also found to be too warm. Uncovered shrimp was observed thawing on the counter, holes were seen on a rear screen door of the facility that could act as entrance for vermin and the bar flooring was not up to code. Like other restaurants during the September inspection, a mold-like substance was seen in the ice chute of the soda machine.

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

• The Market Express, 1051 S. 13th St., Grover Beach

• 7-11 Inc. Store No. 16780E, 390 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach

• Tacos de Mexico, 791 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach

• Petra Mediterranean Pizza, 1210 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo

• Round Table Pizza, 1600 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach

• La Tapatia Market, 1909 Front St., Oceano

Highest-rated restaurants

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

San Luis Obispo

• General Nutrition Corp., No. 3855, 1334 Madonna Road
• The Habit Burger Grill, 839 Higuera St.
• Local Greens, Department of Food Services operation
• The Menu Meal Prep, Department of Food Services operation
• Q-Team, Department of Food Services operation

North Coast

• Olallieberry Inn, 2476 Main St., Cambria
• Paul’s Liquors and Deli, 101 N. Ocean Ave., Cayucos
• Ragged Point Inn Snack Bar, 19019 Highway 1, Ragged Point
• Redwood Cafe, 2092-94 Main St., Cambria

South County

• AFC Sushi @ Smart and Final Extra No. 358, 1464 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande

• AFC Sushi @ Vons No. 2560, 1758 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach
• Chacho’s Mexican Food, 1911 Cienaga St., Oceano
• Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 1229 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande
• New Earth Health Cafe, 191 S. Oak Park Blvd., Grover Beach
• Tasty Thai, 161 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande
• Thai Villa, 626 W. Tefft St., Nipomo
• Zorro’s Cafe and Cantina, 927 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach

North County

• Colony Tavern, 8451 El Camino Real, Atascadero (change of ownership)
• Santa Margarita Lake Campground, 4765 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita

This story was originally published October 19, 2022 at 9:45 AM.