Eleven local restaurants received ratings of “provisional†or “fail†during Pima County health inspections in March. Two failed reinspections, but the rest passed.
Here’s what you need to know:
Casita de Molina
3220 W. Valencia Road
- History: Consistently “good†and “excellent†inspections since 2002.
- What the inspector saw: The restaurant was cited for five critical violations during a March 8 inspection, earning it a “provisional†rating. “Employee, wearing gloves, handled raw chicken to place on grill, then handled clean plate and bowl without removing gloves and cleaning hands,†the inspector wrote. Other violations included food stored at unsafe temperatures, storage racks covered in food debris and a cutting board being used with both produce and raw chicken.
- Follow-up: Passed March 21.
- Response: Neither the owner nor manager could be reached for comment.
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El Rincon de Don Chava
1924 S. Fourth Ave.
- History: Passed its first inspection in December 2015.
- What the inspector saw: With nine critical violations noted during a March 25 inspection, the facility earned a “provisional†rating. Violations included food stored at unsafe temperatures, items without date marking or expiration date, and employee food, beverages and chemical bottles stored on a food prep table and above food.
- Follow-up: Passed April 4.
- Response: No phone number is listed for the restaurant.
Gee’s Garden Restaurant
1145 N. Alvernon Way
- History: Failed multiple inspections since 2007, but has received mostly good ratings since.
- What the inspector saw: During a March 31 inspection, the restaurant was cited for nine critical violations and received a “provisional†rating. “Live mouse on trap observed in bar area. Dead partially decayed mouse observed in bottle storage area, completely decayed mouse observed on floor behind beverage cooler,†the inspector wrote. In addition to the rodent infestation, other issues included unsafe temperatures, no date marking on food items and items stored as clean but encrusted with food debris.
- Follow-up: Passed April 11.
- Response: Neither the owner nor manager could be reached for comment.
Jasmine
3906 N. Oracle Road
- History: Has received mostly “good†ratings since it opened in 2013.
- What the inspector saw: The restaurant received a “provisional†rating on a March 29 inspection, when the inspector noted five critical violations. In addition to issues with safe holding temperatures and date marking, the inspector saw cockroaches throughout the kitchen. The report also notes that a George Foreman grill was being used in the facility, violating Pima County’s food code, as it’s not considered restaurant-grade equipment.
- Follow-up: Failed April 8.
- Response: “The failure is because the department changed the health code and the temperatures were different,†said owner Saba Alsafar. “They said they were posted online, but we didn’t know.â€
Kneader’s Bakery & Café
135 S. Wilmot Road
- History: Opened last year, and received passing ratings in July and September.
- What the inspector saw: With five critical violations observed during a March 24 inspection, the restaurant earned a “provisional†rating. The inspector noted problems with hand washing and glove use, dried food debris on storage containers and bowls stored as clean, unlabeled cleaning supplies and items in the refrigerator without an expiration date.
- Follow-up: Passed April 4.
- Response: “Kneaders Bakery & Café of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ took immediate action based on the evaluation which was given during our March 24 inspection,†said public relations manager
- Emma Conger
- . “We continue to be committed to the highest level of food safety and customer service and look forward to providing our customers with safe and friendly experiences.â€
New China Super Buffet
1160 N. Wilmot Road
- History: Mixed ratings over the years, but recently failed inspections in December and January.
- What the inspector saw: The restaurant received a “provisional†rating during a March 14 inspection, after it was cited for 10 critical violations. “A large box of tomatoes in walk-in had numerous moldy tomatoes in box,†the report said. “A live roach was observed crawling on cook line. Rodent droppings observed on bottom of prep table by back door.†Other violations included issues with temperature, date-marking and cross-contamination of raw foods.
- Follow-up: Passed March 22.
- Response: Neither the owner nor manager could be reached for comment.
Nico’s Mexican Food
5660 E. Broadway
- History: Failed an inspection in September 2011, but has received mostly “good†ratings since.
- What the inspector saw: Seven critical violations were noted during a March 15 inspection, earning the restaurant a “provisional†rating. Violations included unsafe holding temperatures, no date markings, items stored as clean that were encrusted in food debris, and cleaning supplies stored on a shelf next to dried chilis.
- Follow-up: Passed March 25.
- Response: Neither the owner nor manager could be reached for comment.
On the Border
5205 E. Broadway
- History: Has received consistently “good’ and “excellent†ratings since 2002.
- What the inspector saw: The restaurant received a “provisional†rating on a March 25 inspection, after it was cited for six critical violations. “An employee was observed sweeping the floor ... and using a dust pan to pick up food, and then returned to food service without washing hands,†the report said. Other citations included unsafe food temperatures, dirty dishes stored as clean and no sanitizer in the dish washing machine.
- Follow-up: Passed April 4.
- Response: No one answered the phone number provided.
Sushi Garden
7401 N. La Cholla Blvd.
- History: Has had mostly “good†ratings since 2008, until December 2014, when it received a “provisional.â€
- What the inspector saw: Seven critical violations during a March 9 visit by the health department caused the restaurant to receive a “provisional†rating. An employee touched her hair and returned to preparing food without washing her hands. Dirty dishes, unsafe food temperatures and chemicals stored in contact with dry ingredients were also observed.
- Follow-up: Passed March 23.
- Response: “Everything has been taken care of,†said owner Chun Kim.
Taqueria Juanito’s
708 W. Grant Road
- History: Has received “excellent†and “good†ratings since 2004, until it received “provisional†and “fail†ratings during February inspections.
- What the inspector saw: During a March 10 follow-up, as required by its provisional status, the restaurant was cited for four critical violations, and earned a “fail.†Issues included unsafe food temperatures, improper date marking and the lack of a hand sink in the kitchen.
- Follow-up: Failed March 21.
- Response: Neither the owner nor manager could be reached for comment.
U-Like Buffet
330 S. Wilmot Road
- History: Mostly “good†and “excellent†ratings since 2012, but received a “provisional†in February 2014.
- What the inspector saw: Seven critical violations observed during a March 9 inspection earned the restaurant a “provisional†rating. Problems included cross-contamination of raw chicken and vegetables, a sushi cooler that wasn’t keeping products cold enough, no date marking on raw seafood items and an employee scooping ice using a customer’s cup.
- Follow-up: Passed March 16.
- Response: Neither the owner nor manager could be reached for comment.
Compiled by Star reporter Caitlin Schmidt from Pima County Health Department records. Contact her at cschmidt@tucson.com or 573-4191. On Twitter: @caitlincschmidt
