Infestations shut down 2 SLO County restaurants — one with cockroaches in its receipt printer

One restaurant had cockroaches in its receipt printer while others struggled with rodent infestations.

Those were some of the notable conditions San Luis Obispo County health inspectors found in December during dozens 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 253 inspections Environmental Health employees conducted in December.

Several SLO County restaurants found with rodents, cockroaches

December was a rough month for San Luis Obispo County’s eating establishments when it came to vermin.

In total, 15 restaurants lost points during their regular inspections after they were found to have evidence of cockroaches or rodents on the premises.

Those ranged in severity from rodent droppings or some limited activity in non-critical areas to more severe infestations, such as the ones that shut briefly down two Los Osos restaurants.

Both Mirazur Restaurant and Los Osos Mexican Market were ordered to close after inspectors temporarily suspended the businesses’ health permits “due to an immediate danger to the public’s health and safety.”

According to inspection notes, Mirazur Restaurant on Second Street had “evidence of rodent activity in multiple critical areas of the facility.” The restaurant was told to eliminate all rodents and evidence of rodents — including droppings, dead rodents, nesting material and rub marks — at once.

In a follow-up inspection the next day, an inspector noted all the violations had been corrected and the business was allowed to reopen.

Meanwhile Los Osos Mexican Market, at 2169 10th St., briefly closed after an inspector “observed evidence of cockroach infestation in the facility.”

That included “live cockroaches in the receipt printer on top of the cold-top prep cooler at the hot line,” the inspection notes said. Cockroach egg cases were also found “in various places throughout the facility.”

The restaurant also had “evidence of rodent activity ... observed in the hot line area and in the storage area near the ice cream,” according to inspection notes.

During its re-inspection three days later, an inspector said the violations had been “sufficiently abated” and the facility’s permit was reinstated. The restaurant was told to continue making progress toward removing all previous evidence of the infestation.

The other restaurants with vermin violations during their December inspections were:

• Carlocks Los Osos Bakery, 1024 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos: “Observed an accumulation of rodent droppings on two shelves in the dry storage area behind the fryer.”

• The Clubhouse, 250 Howard Ave., Los Osos: “Observed evidence of a rodent infestation throughout the facility.”

• Golden Gong Restaurant, 1591 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach: “Observed rodent droppings outside near the storage sheds.”

• Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant, 905 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos: “Observed evidence of rodent activity in the storage room near the restrooms.”

• Kuma, 2011 10th St., Los Osos: “Observed evidence of rodent activity in numerous places throughout the facility.”

• La Palapa Baywood, 1346 2nd St., Los Osos: “Observed evidence of a rodent infestation throughout the facility.”

• Nardonnes La Famiglia Pizza, 715 Santa Maria Ave., Los Osos: “Observed evidence of rodent activity in two non-critical areas.”

• Noi and Doi’s 2nd Street Cafe, 1325 2nd St., Los Osos: “Observed evidence of rodent activity in the back storage room.”

• The Rib Line, 12308 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo: “Observed evidence of rodent activity in the facility.”

• Stefono’s Sapori D’Italia, 330 W. Tefft St., Nipomo: “Observed many dead cockroaches and a couple live cockroaches.”

• Sweet Springs Saloon, 990 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos: “Observed evidence of rodent activity in one non-critical area.”

• The Switch SLO, 12304 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo: “Observed evidence of rodent activity in the facility.”

• Valley Liquor, 2199 10th St., Los Osos: “Observed evidence of rodent activity in numerous places throughout the facility.”

It’s important to note that though these restaurants all lost points for evidence of vermin activity, a handful passed their health inspections with high scores of 95 points or more, indicating few other major violations.

Those were: Carlocks (95 points), Golden Gong (95.5 points), Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant (95 points) and Sweet Springs Saloon (98 points).

The remaining ranged in score from a low of 83 points at Stefono’s Sapori D’Italia to 94.5 points for The Switch SLO.

Lowest-rated restaurants

Taco de Mexico, 374 Santa Rosa Street, San Luis Obispo

Points lost: 19

Notes: While most monthly inspections are routine checks on the conditions of San Luis Obispo County restaurants, the December inspection for Taco de Mexico in San Luis Obispo had a secondary motive.

According to inspection notes, the visit was also meant to investigate a complaint that had been made against the business, though they did not specify the nature of the complaint. Meanwhile, the restaurant lost points because workers were not able to demonstrate knowledge of proper warewashing and cooling practices, according to the inspection notes. That included a large stock pot of beans that had been left on a flat-top grill since the morning and a worker not washing their hands after washing dishes and going to prepare food. The inspector also said there was no sanitizer bucket set up during food preparation and three wet towels were on various surfaces throughout the food prep area.

Taqueria San Miguel, 350 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach

Points lost: 18.5

Notes: During its routine inspection in December, Taqueria San Miguel in Grover Beach restaurant lost points because employees lacked knowledge of food safety practices. According to the inspection notes, there were no paper towels inside the employee restroom, the facility didn’t have sanitizer set up in the kitchen during food prep and there were several containers of food inside a refrigeration unit without lids. Other violations included meat thawing in the three-compartment sink, fly strips throughout the facility and excessive food debris and grime buildup on the inside and outside of equipment.The restaurant was also dumping mop water into a storm drain outside the facility, the inspector said, rather than a sanitary sewer.

Noi and Doi’s 2nd Street Cafe, 1325 Second St., Los Osos

Points lost: 17.5

Notes: Though the majority of its health code violations stemmed from employees not washing their hands or improperly using gloves, Noi and Doi’s 2nd Street Cafe also lost points during its routine inspection due to evidence of rodent activity in a back storage room and a “jar of unknown plant material” being kept in a freezer next to food for the restaurant. An inspector also observed hydrated rice noodles, boba, cooked chicken and curry all being kept at incorrect temperatures. All food that was not the correct temperature was voluntarily discarded, according to inspection notes.

Stefono’s Sapori D’Italia, 330 W. Tefft St., Nipomo

Points lost: 17

Notes: Stefono’s Sapori D’Italia was one of several San Luis Obispo County restaurants to struggle with vermin during its December inspection. According to the inspection notes, “many dead cockroaches and a couple live cockroaches” were found at the facility, though the restaurant was in the process of getting pest management to remedy the issue. The inspector noted that employees were also unable to demonstrate knowledge of the use of sanitizer and general retail food safety practices. Because of the issues present, the restaurant was ordered to be reinspected to ensure all violations were corrected.

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

• Palo Mesa Wood Fired, 150 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande

• Kuma, 2011 10th St., Los Osos

• The Boba Stop, 578 California Blvd., San Luis Obispo

• Valley Liquor, 2199 10th St., Los Osos

• Fatte’s Pizza of Grover Beach, 1741 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach

• DK’s Donuts, 1740 Spring St., Paso Robles

• Branch Street Deli & Pizzeria, 203 Branch St., Arroyo Grande

• San Miguel Market & Deli, 2060 9th St., Los Osos

• Umi Sushi & Sake, 1108 Pine St., Paso Robles

• La Casita, 1572 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach

• The Rib Line, 12308 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo

• Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 354 Five Cities Drive, Pismo Beach

• Taqueria Santa Cruz Inc. #2, 862 Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo

• Virt Juice, 1200 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande

Highest-rated restaurants

These stores and restaurants received scores of 99 to 100, with few to no violations.

San Luis Obispo

• Bread Bike LLC, 2060A Parker St.
• Brooks Burgers SLO, 134 Tank Farm Road
• Cafe Crepes de SLO, 785 Marsh St. Suite A
  
  
• Corazon Cafe, 847 Higuera St.
• Farmhouse Corner Market, 1025 Farmhouse Lane 1G
• Field Day Coffee, 1185 Monterey St.
• Feral Kitchen & Lounge, 725 Higuera St.
• Kiko Restaurant, 746 Higuera St. Ste 4 & 6
• Lokum Turkish Delights & Baklava, 715 Higuera St.
• Louisa’s Place, 964 Higuera St.
• Lure Fish House, 1101 Monterey St.
• Nautical Bean, 810 Orcutt Road
• Old San Luis BBQ Co., 3870 Broad St. Ste 3
• Papa’s Thai Cafe LLC, 1308 Monterey St. Ste 120
• Poke Chef, 588 California Blvd.
• Round Table Pizza, 2256 Broad St. Suite 110
  
  
• Scout Coffee, 1130 Garden St. Suite 100
• Seeds, 1040 Court St.
• Sheila Kearns Chocolate & Confections, 722 Marsh St.
• SLO Froyo N Italian Ice, 956 Higuera St.
• Taco Bell #24286, 3810 Broad St.
• The Healthy Crave, 942 Chorro St.
• Todo Bueno The All Good Grill, 3845 S Higuera St. #220

North Coast

• AFC Sushi @ Ralphs #271, 1240 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos
• Bijou Bakery, 222 N Ocean Ave., Cayucos
• Cherry Blossom Asian Market, 950 Los Osos Valley Road Suite B1, Los Osos
• Flippo’s, 220 Atascadero Road, Morro Bay
• Harmony Cafe, 824 Main St., Cambria
• Hungry Fisherman, 399 Beach St., Morro Bay
• La Casita Restaurant, 2008 9th St., Los Osos
• Little Sur Inn, 6190 Moonstone Beach Drive, Cambria
• Ralphs Grocery #271, 1240 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos

South County

• Blue Moon Over Avila / Louie’s at the Beach, 460 Front St., Avila Beach
• Five Below, 333 Five Cities Drive Suite 121, Pismo Beach
• Five Cities Chevron, 340 Five Cities Drive, Pismo Beach
• Grand American Pizza, 1514 W Grand Ave., Grover Beach
• Locals Taproom, 90 San Miguel St., Avila Beach
• Marisol at Cliff’s Resort, 2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach
• Mei Restaurant, 1759 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach
• Nurtured Families, 1508 W Grand Ave., Grover Beach
• Starbucks Coffee #5689, 1586 W Branch St., Arroyo Grande
• Taco Bell #20455, 867 Oak Park Blvd., Pismo Beach
• Ventana Grill, 2575 Price St., Pismo Beach
• Vons Gas #4607, 550 W Tefft St., Nipomo

North County

• Brew-It Coffee Tea, 6570 Morro Road, Atascadero
• Brown Butter Cookie Company, 801 12th St., Paso Robles
• Calcareous Vineyard, LLC, 3430 Peachy Canyon Road, Paso Robles
• Calipaso Winery and Villa, 4230 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles
• Dollar General Store #17422, 972 K St., San Miguel
• El Pollo Loco, 2351 Theatre Drive, Paso Robles
• Evers Park Snack Bar, Gibson Road, Templeton
• Farm Supply Company, 2450 Ramada Drive, Paso Robles
• Holiday Inn Express, 2455 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles
• JoeBella Coffee, 3168 El Camino Real, Atascadero
• JuiceBoss, 5940 Entrada Ave., Atascadero
• KFC, 2405 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles
• Kula Hawaiian Kitchen, 6200 El Camino Real, Atascadero
• La Quinta Inn & Suites, 2615 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles
• Le Vigne Winery, 5115 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles
• Libretto, Amstrdm LLC, 1242 Park St., Paso Robles
• Momotaro Ramen, 1803 Spring St. #9, Paso Robles
• Olivas de Oro, 2989 B Limestone Way, Paso Robles
• Pacific Harvest Catering, 86 Gibson Road Suite 4, Templeton
  
  
• Paso Catering, 3770 Willow Creek Road, Paso Robles
• Paso Terra, 1032 Pine St., Paso Robles
• Petit Soleil, 1473 Monterey St.
• S’Aranella, 835 12th St. Suite A, Paso Robles
• San Miguel Chevron, 998 K St., San Miguel
• Sinton and Sons Local Meats and Provisions, 3450 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles
• Springhill Suites Paso Robles, 900 El Camino Real, Atascadero
• Starbucks Coffee #29499, 2429 Golden Hill Road, Paso Robles
• Starbucks Coffee #57322, 9002 W Front, Atascadero
• Taco Bell #1875, 1107 24th St., Paso Robles
• The Human Bean Coffee Shop, 7835 El Camino Real, Atascadero
• The Porch, 22322 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita
• Tooth and Nail Winery, 3090 Anderson Road, Paso Robles
• Wines on Main, 624 S Main St. #101A, Templeton

This story was originally published February 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM.