October 22, 2022
MSWD Settles For $175,000 For Sewage Spill At Horton
From the Desert Sun:
After large Desert Hot Springs sewage spill, MWSD [sic] will settle with regulator for $175,000Janet Wilson
Palm Springs Desert SunMission Springs Water District announced Friday that it will pay $175,000 for allowing a nearly 1 million-gallon spill of treated sewage effluent down residential streets in Desert Hot Springs last October and failing to promptly report it.
The agreement is pending final approval by the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Board, which issued a notice of violation to MSWD for releasing treated secondary effluent from the Alan L. Horton Wastewater Treatment Facility on Oct. 3, 2021. Both sides agreed to the amount in settlement negotiations, MSWD said.
The funds would be used to remove between 21 and 68 properties from aging septic systems and hook them up to safer sewage systems, with priority given to homes closest to MWSD well sites.
The district had faced up to $9.4 million in fines, after officials there waited two weeks to notify state authorities that large amounts of treated wastewater gushed through Desert Hot Springs streets. Such spills are supposed to be reported immediately.
Since then, MSWD said in a news release, the district has worked with regional water board staff to make structural and process improvements at the facility and has broken ground on a new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant north of Interstate 10 in Desert Hot Springs.
“Serving a disadvantaged community comes with a unique set of challenges. Some residents simply do not have the means to connect to the sewer system,” said MSWD general manager Arden Wallum. “Using funds for projects such as this not only helps our residents and the District, but the entire Coachella Valley watershed.”
permalink | October 22, 2022 at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
Riverside County Health Department Reports
From the Press-Enterprise:
Swiss Donut, at 34300 Monterey Ave. Suite 102 in Palm Desert, was inspected Oct. 20 and received a failing grade of 87/B with one critical violation. The inspector found live and dead roaches in the restaurant, and said to contact pest control and clean the facility. Among the six other violations, ham was at an unsafe temperature in a refrigerator that wasn’t keeping cold.
L’Atelier Cafe, at 129 La Plaza in Palm Springs, was inspected Oct. 14 and received a failing grade of 80/B with four critical violations. The inspector found three dead cockroaches in different areas, along with one live fly, and the restaurant was told to get pest control before its mandatory follow-up. Some food was at unsafe temperatures in a refrigerator that was impounded for not keeping cold. The dishwasher wasn’t dispensing sanitizer, but it was adjusted right away so it was not impounded. And an employee didn’t wash hands. Among the three other violations, several areas needed cleaning and the restaurant was told to stop using non-commercial-grade equipment.
permalink | October 22, 2022 at 09:19 AM | Comments (0)
October 15, 2022
Health Department Inspections This Week
From the Press-Enterprise:
Babaloo Lounge, at 73833 Highway 111 in Palm Desert, was inspected Oct. 11 and received a failing grade of 81/B with one critical violation. Food was at unsafe temperatures in two coolers, one of which the inspector said needed to be repaired. Among the 12 other violations, the inspector said not to cook in the prep area until the exhaust hood could be fixed, the men’s restroom didn’t have soap, raw tuna wasn’t being thawed correctly, a dishwasher wasn’t sanitizing properly, and equipment, floors and the ceiling needed cleaning. This was the restaurant’s second failed inspection in less than a year and it was briefly shut down in 2021 because of a plumbing backup, so it was scheduled for an administrative hearing.
The Arco am/pm at 46150 Washington St. in La Quinta was inspected Oct. 12 and received a failing grade of 85/B with one critical violation. Dishes were being washed without hot water or sanitizer, a repeat violation from previous inspections. Among the nine other violations, a display cooler wasn’t keeping cold and about 40 meal and snack items had to be discarded, frozen hot dogs weren’t being thawed properly, the walk-in freezer and cooler doors needed repair, there was biofilm in the soda machine ice chutes, and the floors needed leaning.
The KFC at 725 S. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, which failed an Oct. 5 inspection with a score of 86/B and was closed because of a rodent infestation, was permitted to reopen Oct. 7. It also passed a follow-up inspection with a 97/A.
Upper Crust Pizza, at 67555 E. Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City, which was shut down Sept. 13 because of a cockroach infestation, was permitted to reopen Oct. 6, after what the inspector noted was the sixth re-inspection to verify the problem had been eliminated.
permalink | October 15, 2022 at 08:52 AM | Comments (0)
October 8, 2022
Arkansas Attorney General Unprepared to Discuss with Jon Stewart
Read here.Jon interviewed Leslie Rutledge, Arkansas Attorney General, about why her state banned gender-affirming care for minors - ignoring the guidelines of major medical organizations and taking the decision out of parents’ hands. Watch the full interview on @AppleTVPlus pic.twitter.com/4SoH3orWa6
— The Problem With Jon Stewart (@TheProblem) October 7, 2022
permalink | October 8, 2022 at 12:53 PM | Comments (0)
Health Department Inspections
KFC, 725 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm SpringsClosed: Oct. 5
Grade: 86/B, failing
Reason: Rodent infestation. An inspector visited in response to a complaint that someone thought they saw rodent droppings in their coleslaw. The inspector saw multiple droppings, including under a prep counter, the grease tanks and a soda machine. Among other violations, there were also flies inside, and the inspector noted food debris and grease on the floors.
Wilma & Frieda’s, at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, was inspected Oct. 4 and received a failing grade of 80/B with two critical violations. Multiple items of food were at unsafe temperatures; the inspector noted that none of the coolers at the cook line were functional and the food inside was on ice. One unit had been impounded at the last inspection and never fixed, and two more were impounded this time. Also, an employee didn’t wash hands. Among the seven other violations, there were flies in the facility and one landed on plates, the bar dishwasher was impounded for not dispensing sanitizer, the restrooms didn’t have hot water, another handwashing sink didn’t have cold water, the walk-in freezer had ice buildup and a partially detached door panel, and the floors needed cleaning. This was the restaurant’s second failed inspection this year so it now faces an administrative hearing.
Tortilleria Guerrero, at 81592 Highway 111 in Indio, was inspected Sept. 29 and received a failing grade of 81/B with one critical violation. The inspector saw several live cockroaches on the floor near the ovens, along with dead roaches on the floor elsewhere and several flies in the facility. The person in charge was advised to temporarily increase pest control to twice a month. Among the 12 other violations, an employee didn’t wash hands, some food was stored uncovered, and equipment and other surfaces needed cleaning. The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection Oct. 6 with a score of 95/A. However, the inspector still saw one live roach on a wall and some flies, and said to contact pest control immediately and again in two weeks.
The following store isn't in the Coachella Valley, but I'm including for its amazing level of grossness:
New Bombay Store, 1385 W. Blaine St., RiversideClosed: Oct. 5
Grade: 80/B, failing
Reason: Failing an inspection on probation, rodent and cockroach infestation. The inspector found “excessive amounts of rodent droppings” on shelving and flooring. Numerous bags of food in the customer area had been gnawed open, leaving their contents spilling onto the shelves, and a gnawed bag of vermicelli on the floor had rodent droppings inside. Also, there were numerous dead roaches on the floor, cockroach eggs in one area and a dead roach and roach feces on the outside of a bag of food on the sales floor. Additionally, there were dead weevils on the plastic bags used to repackage bulk foods and numerous flies throughout the facility, with dead flies frozen into the ice of a chest freezer whose door pane was broken. Among other violations, there was a moldy bag of mangos in the cooler, the handwashing sink handles were “encrusted” with buildup, the walk-in cooler door wouldn’t fully latch closed and there was a long list of other areas that needed cleaning or repair. The store was placed on probation in May after failing three inspections since 2021; the May inspection led to a partial closure because of a fly and rodent infestation.
permalink | October 8, 2022 at 08:23 AM | Comments (0)
September 10, 2022
The Health Inspector Report
From the Press-Enterprise
Santa Fe Restaurant, at 68545 Ramon Road Suite C104 in Cathedral City, was inspected Sept. 7 and received a failing grade of 80/B with two critical violations. Food was at unsafe temperatures in two refrigerators that had been overfilled. Also, cooked food wasn’t being cooled down fast enough. Among the eight other violations the restaurant lost points for and six it didn’t, there were live and dead flies in the kitchen, a kitchen sink didn’t have soap, an employee restroom didn’t have hot water, dishes weren’t being washed correctly, dirty pots and pans had been put on the floor and the inside of the ice machine needed cleaning.
The Arco ampm at 74950 Gerald Ford Drive in Palm Desert was inspected Sept. 6 and received a failing grade of 86/B with 11 violations, none of which was marked as critical. Among them, the inspector found rodent droppings on the floor, including under the hot dog prep area, and the soda dispenser tubing had been gnawed on, causing it to leak. Also, there was black mold in the ice machine.
permalink | September 10, 2022 at 03:57 PM | Comments (0)
September 8, 2022
I'm Home
After three weeks at Burning Man I arrived home last night with all my stuff, plus COVID. So, if you'd like to come by and taste some fairly fresh playa dust, that's fine, but no hugs or kisses for me.
permalink | September 8, 2022 at 01:10 PM | Comments (0)
July 30, 2022
The Restaurant at DHS Spa, Again!
Excerpts from this report in the Press-Enterprise.
The FOURTH closure for the restaurant at DHS Spa hotel, but they get a backhanded compliment. This time it was NOT for rodent infestations. Good work on fixing the rodent problem, you filthy restaurant!
Restaurant at Desert Hot Springs Spa, 10805 Palm Drive, Desert Hot SpringsClosed: July 27
Grade: 81/B, failing
Reason: Failing an inspection while on probation. Among the 14 violations, food was at unsafe temperatures in a refrigerator that was impounded, there were flies inside, snap traps had been placed in areas where food contamination could occur, there were some gaps in the walls and ceiling, an insect light was hung over a food-prep table, and a chef wiped a knife with a dirty cloth. This was the restaurant’s fifth failed inspection and fourth closure since 2019, and its second closure since being placed on probation in July 2021. The previous closures were because of rodent infestations. To reopen again, the restaurant would have to correct all violations and purchase a new permit.
Daniel’s Table, 68327 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral CityClosed: July 26
Grade: Not graded
Reason: Operating without a valid health permit. The report from the restaurant’s last inspection in June said the permit had expired May 31.
KFC, 32120 Date Palm Drive, Cathedral CityClosed: July 25
Grade: 87/B, failing
Reason: Cockroach infestation. The inspector saw multiple live roaches at a sink and a dead roach on the floor. There was one other critical violation, for the water not being quite hot enough, but that was fixed before the inspection ended.
Reopened: July 27
New grade: 97/A, passing
Casa Blanca Restaurant , at 66370 Pierson Blvd in Desert Hot Springs, was inspected July 26 in response to a foodborne illness complaint. It received a failing grade of 84/B with two critical violations. Food was at unsafe temperatures in two refrigerators that were impounded for not keeping cold. Also, the chef twice didn’t wash hands when they should have. Among the six other violations, food-contact surfaces weren’t being properly cleaned or sanitized, there was biofilm in the ice machine and in the bar beverage gun, and the floors, walls and ceilings needed cleaning. The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection July 28 with a score of 96/A.
permalink | July 30, 2022 at 10:04 AM | Comments (1)
July 26, 2022
Men's Knowledge
permalink | July 26, 2022 at 07:45 PM | Comments (0)
July 2, 2022
Kam Lun Chinese AGAIN!
There seem to be a lot of especially gross reports in this week's list of health department inspections in the Press-Enterprise, including this bit: "the inspector saw several dead cockroaches, including in a pot on the stove" [Pho TYC, Wildomar]. But there were only these three in the Coachella Valley.
Kam Lun Chinese Food, 66610 8th St., Desert Hot Springs
Closed: June 29
Grade: 81/B, failing
Reason: Failing an inspection while on probation. Among the 13 violations, the inspector saw rodent droppings in several areas including by the food-prep sink and a microwave; there were flies at the cook line; cooked meat was sitting at room temperature and an employee said the practice is to leave it on the counter until it’s ordered; shrimp, beef and eggs were at unsafe temperatures in a refrigerator that was impounded for not keeping cold; dishes weren’t being washed properly; raw and ready-to-eat foods weren’t adequately separated; and the floors, walls and ceilings needed cleaning. The restaurant has been on probation since last August after failing three inspections and being shut down twice for rodent infestations in a two-year span. This is its second failure and closure since going on probation. To reopen again, it would have to correct all violations and purchase a new health permit.
The restaurant at Desert Falls Country Club, at 1111 Desert Falls Parkway in Palm Desert, was inspected June 22 and received a failing grade of 80/B with one critical violation. Dishes and other surfaces weren’t being sanitized. Among the 11 other violations, the inspector saw a live cockroach in a walk-in cooler and two dead roaches in other locations, meat and cheese were at unsafe temperatures in a cook-line fridge, the bar area didn’t have hot water, the women’s restroom didn’t have cold water and there was a long list of items that needed cleaning and repair. On June 29, the restaurant passed a follow-up inspection with a 97/A.
The restaurant at Terra Lago Golf Club, at 84000 Terra Lago Parkway in Indio, was inspected June 20 and received a failing grade of 82/B with one critical violation. The inspector saw rodent droppings on top of the food prep sink, on the back of a unit for holding hot food and on the floors, and noted rodent and cockroach traps in the kitchen and bar areas, as well as dead flies in the bar area. Among the 10 other violations, some food wasn’t being kept hot, there was pink mold in the ice machine and equipment, floors and walls needed cleaning. On June 23, the restaurant passed a follow-up inspection with a 94/A.
permalink | July 2, 2022 at 09:02 AM | Comments (0)
June 5, 2022
Mosquito Repellers
Wirecutter researched mosquito repellers and found a few that actually work when there's no breeze. The top pick is a $40 gadget. Second pick is a $35 gadget. But their "budget pick" is nothing more than classic mosquito repelling coils that you light like incense. "These inexpensive mosquito coils work as well as our picks, but they’re not as portable, versatile, or durable. And unlike our picks, their burning ends release a smoke that has an odor." [Emphasis added.]
permalink | June 5, 2022 at 07:44 AM | Comments (0)
May 28, 2022
Getting My Legs Back
The view across Palm Springs from the popular lookout point on what might be called "Palm Hills Road," the road that climbs into the hills behind Vons Rimrock Plaza. Today is the first time I've been able to reach this point since my hip replacement surgery this past October. I'm sure I have not been able to hike to this point since at least 2019, maybe earlier than that. Even more satisfying than simply making it is that I caught up to three 20-something men who had a good head start on me, passed them and made it to the lookout point well ahead of them. Age and experience count for something.
The view from a lower spot on the trail. You can see the silhouettes of the three young men I passed resting (they took 4 or 5 rest breaks on the climb) in the right half of the image, at the top of a rise. You might need a larger image to see them.
permalink | May 28, 2022 at 03:46 PM | Comments (1)
May 14, 2022
County Health Inspectors Busy In Coachella Valley
From the Press-Enterprise:
Pho Na 92, 14220 Palm Drive, Desert Hot SpringsClosed: May 11
Grade: 75/C, failing
Reason: Cockroach infestation. The inspector saw live and dead roaches throughout the kitchen, as well as egg casings on the dishwashing sink and roach droppings under the food-prep table. There was also a dead roach in the sanitizer compartment of the dishwashing sink, which was filled with dirty water and food equipment. Among the 13 other violations, an employee didn’t wash hands after handling raw shrimp and eggs, raw eggs from an unapproved source were left at room temperature, and the facility needed cleaning, including a cooler that had food debris and a mold-like substance inside.
Santorini Greek Cafe, 68375 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral CityClosed: May 10
Grade: Not graded (most recent was 90/A on April 4)
Reason: Cockroach infestation. During the April 4 inspection, there were two roaches crawling on a wall and some roach casings in a storage area. During this week’s follow-up, the inspector saw a live nymph cockroach and several dead ones on the walls, and also noted some holes in the walls as well as food debris and standing water that could be attracting pests.
Bill’s Pizza, 119 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm SpringsClosed: May 5
Grade: Not graded
Reason: Overflowing sewage. An inspector responding to a complaint found an active sewage overflow from the facility’s shared restroom. The restaurant had already self-closed and a plumber was on site.
Reopened: May 6
Jalisco Market & Deli, 17725 N. Indian Canyon Drive, North Palm SpringsClosed: May 3
Grade: Not graded
Reason: Operating without a valid health permit. A health department spokesperson said it was long-expired.
The Del Taco at 14290 Palm Drive in Desert Hot Springs was inspected May 12 and received a failing grade of 77/C with two critical violations. An employee used a lid that had just been rinsed but not washed or sanitized. Also, there was an issue with food not being hot enough. Among the 11 other violations, there were flies throughout the facility, an employee didn’t wash hands, employees didn’t know proper cooking temperatures and multiple surfaces needed cleaning.
The Denny’s at 82120 Highway 111 in Indio was inspected May 11 in response to a foodborne illness complaint. It received a failing grade of 83/B with 14 violations. Among them, some food was at unsafe temperatures, including items in a prep cooler that was impounded for not keeping cold; the men’s restroom soap dispenser wasn’t working; and surfaces and floors throughout the kitchen needed cleaning.
Tacos Los Olivarez, a food truck based at 83711 Peach St. in Indio, was inspected May 5 while it was at a “Concerts in the Park” event at the Palm Desert Civic Center. It received a failing grade of 84/B with one critical violation. The truck’s hot and cold water weren’t operational. Staff chose to self-close and leave the event, so this was not counted as an official health department closure, a spokesperson said. Among the seven other violations, food was not being kept at safe temperatures and there were numerous flies in the vehicle and in the open flip-top salsa unit, which didn’t have a screen on it and was available for customer self-service, which is not permitted.
permalink | May 14, 2022 at 08:13 AM | Comments (0)
May 7, 2022
China Star, Indio
From The Press-Enterprise:
China Star, at 81022 Highway 111 Suite B in Indio, was inspected April 27 and received a failing grade of 76/C with one critical violation. The inspector saw two live and one dead cockroaches near the wok, as well as flies by the dishwashing area. Among the 15 other violations, some chicken and bean sprouts were at unsafe temperatures, the restaurant’s dishwashing process was incorrect and an employee was standing directly on the stove to replace a hood filter. This was the restaurant’s third failed inspection since 2019, and it was closed for two weeks last June because of a cockroach infestation, so it now faces an administrative hearing. The inspector also told the facility to increase pest control service to every two weeks until the current activity ceases.
permalink | May 7, 2022 at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)
April 30, 2022
Public Health Report
From The Press-Enterprise:
Canton Bistro, at 79405 Highway 111 Suite 5 in La Quinta, was inspected April 26 and received a failing grade of 74/C with three critical violations. Some cooked chicken had been left at room temperature for hours. Surfaces weren’t being sanitized. And there was no hot water at the kitchen handwashing and bar dishwashing sinks. Among the 11 other violations, food had been delivered that day and boxes of raw meat were left sitting on the wet and dirty floor, while boxes of produce were left in an outside alley next to a grease bin that was attracting flies. The restaurant also needed cleaning and decluttering.
ROC’s Firehouse Grille, at 36891 Cook St. Suite 10 in Palm Desert, was inspected April 26 and received a failing grade of 80/B with 11 violations, two of them critical. Food was at unsafe temperatures in two refrigerators that were impounded for not keeping cold. The dishwashers in the kitchen and bar also were impounded for not dispensing sanitizer, and surfaces weren’t being wiped down with sanitizer. This was the restaurant’s third failed inspection since 2019.
permalink | April 30, 2022 at 07:21 AM | Comments (0)
April 16, 2022
Thai Smile - Palm Springs
From the Press-Enterprise:
Thai Smile, 100 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm SpringsClosed: April 12
Grade: 71/C, failing
Reason: Cockroach infestation. The inspector, visiting in response to a complaint about dirty conditions, saw a live cockroach on the wall behind a microwave. Among the 16 other violations, food including raw beef, pork and fish were at unsafe temperatures; food was being stored on the floor in the prep and cooking areas, including a large bucket of soup that was left to cool at room temperature; the beer gun line was in contact with ice; food was being stored uncovered; and equipment, floors and walls needed cleaning. This was the restaurant’s second failed inspection in less than a year, so it now faces an administrative hearing.
Reopened: April 13
permalink | April 16, 2022 at 06:44 AM | Comments (0)
April 9, 2022
Health Department Report For This Week
From the Press-Enterprise:
Blue Coyote Grill, 445 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm SpringsClosed: April 7
Grade: 72/C, failing
Reason: Excessive flies. The inspector, visiting in response to a foodborne illness complaint, saw flies landing on and crawling in washed lettuce in the food-prep sink, a container of tortilla chips, clean plates, cutting boards and below the bar counter and sinks. There were also four dead cockroaches in a cabinet and two more in the bar area. There were two other critical violations: Food was at unsafe temperatures in a refrigerator that was impounded for not keeping cold, and cooked food wasn’t being cooled down fast enough. Those led to well over 100 pounds of food being discarded. Among the 12 additional violations, there was biofilm in an ice machine, the person washing dishes didn’t know manual dishwashing procedures and the facility needed cleaning.
Reopened: April 8
Meng’s Filipino Cuisine, at 34091 Date Palm Drive Suite B in Cathedral City, was inspected March 30 and received a failing grade of 81/B with one critical violation. Meat skewers that had been left in the handwashing sink and a tilapia that had been put in a bowl of hot water to defrost that morning and left underneath the dishwashing sink were at unsafe temperatures. Among the 11 other violations, dishes weren’t being washed or sanitized properly, a fly swatter with a dead fly stuck on it was hanging next to clean dishes, food was being stored uncovered or in unapproved plastic bags, and the floors needed cleaning. The restaurant passed a mandatory follow-up April 6 with a score of 95/A.
permalink | April 9, 2022 at 09:56 AM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2022
Health Department Inspections in the Coachella Valley
From the Press-Enterprise:
China King Restaurant, 295 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm SpringsClosed: March 18
Grade: 68/C, failing
Reason: Cockroach infestation. The inspector visited in response to a complaint and found five or six roaches on a wall behind hanging utensils and another one on the floor. There were three critical violations: An employee killed a roach with bare hands and then touched diced bell peppers without washing. Food was also contaminated when an employee placed a trash bag on food at the prep table, and because raw chicken and beef were touching in overfilled containers. Additionally, shelled and pooled eggs were at unsafe temperatures, and tapioca balls and hoisin sauce that required refrigeration had been left out for two to three days. Among the 15 other violations, an employee said utensils are washed only once a day (at least every four hours is required), weed killer was stored next to the meat grinder, cooked pork wasn’t being cooled down safely and the facility needed cleaning. This was the restaurant’s second failed inspection since 2019.
Wang’s in the Desert, 424 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm SpringsClosed: March 18
Grade: Not graded
Reason: Rodent infestation. An inspector visited in response to a complaint that someone saw multiple rats. The owner was aware of the problem and said they’d been working with pest control. The inspector found droppings throughout the facility, including inside containers of clean dishes, on shelves holding clean dishes and open containers of food, below prep tables and cooking equipment, on shelving at the food pickup window, in the customer dining area and in the employee break room. There were also gnaw marks and droppings on a package of salt.
Reopened: March 23 after pest control visited twice and affected areas were cleaned. The inspector did find a few old droppings on the floor behind some cardboard.
New grade: 92/A, passing
Sammy G’s, at 265 S. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, was inspected March 18 in response to a foodborne illness complaint and received a failing grade of 81/B with one critical violation. Several items were at unsafe temperatures in the walk-in dairy refrigerator, which was impounded for not keeping cold. Among the 11 other violations, cooked chicken and pasta had been left at room temperature to cool, there was biofilm in the ice machine, knives had been put away dirty, there were a few flies, the inspector found two old rodent droppings in an unapproved food storage area that wasn’t properly vermin-proofed, and the restaurant needed cleaning. This was the restaurant’s second failed inspection since 2019.
To Go Sushi, at 40101 Monterey Ave. Suite G2 in Rancho Mirage, was inspected March 16 in response to a foodborne illness complaint and received a failing grade of 80/B with one critical violation. The sushi chef didn’t wash hands after using a dirty towel. Among the 11 other violations, raw tuna and imitation crab were at unsafe temperatures in two coolers, one of which was impounded for not keeping cold; other prepared food wasn’t being cooled down safely; and utensils weren’t being sanitized properly.
permalink | March 26, 2022 at 08:08 AM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2022
Carniceria Rancho Grande
From Riverside County Department of Health inspections reported in the Press-Enterprise.
Carniceria Rancho Grande, at 13313 Palm Drive in Desert Hot Springs, was inspected March 16 and received a failing grade of 81/B with one critical violation. Multiple items of food were at unsafe temperatures, including a container of cooked tomatoes sitting on the floor and a container of pickled carrots that had been at room temperature since it was delivered a week before. Among the 11 other violations, there were many flies in the facility, with some landing on the cutting boards, as well as some other small bugs on a wall and a dead cockroach in a hole in the wall; an employee kept wiping his hands on his dirty apron; dishes were being washed but not sanitized; and several areas needed cleaning or repair. This was the market’s second failed inspection in less than two years so it now faces an administrative hearing.
Wilma & Frieda’s, at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, was inspected March 16 and received a failing grade of 80/B with two critical violations. Food was at unsafe temperatures in three coolers that were impounded for not keeping cold. A dishwasher also was impounded for not dispensing sanitizer. Among the nine other violations, there was an empty cockroach trap next to food in one of the nonfunctional coolers, cooked chicken wasn’t being cooled down fast enough and several areas needed cleaning.
Rick’s Restaurant, at 1973 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, was inspected March 15 and received a failing grade of 80/B with two critical violations. Some food was at unsafe temperatures in a refrigerator that wasn’t keeping cold. Also, a fly landed on biscuit dough on a prep table. Among the eight other violations, there were old rodent droppings in a food storage area (but no evidence of live rodents) and the facility needed cleaning.
permalink | March 19, 2022 at 09:59 AM | Comments (0)
March 5, 2022
Kam Lun Chinese
Kam Lun Chinese Food, 66610 8th St., Desert Hot Springs
Closed: March 2
Grade: 80/B, failing
Reason: Failing an inspection while on probation. There was one critical violation, for an employee using the same scoop for raw shrimp and raw diced vegetables. Among the 12 lesser violations, the inspector saw one live nymph cockroach at a handwashing sink and a dead roach on the food-prep sink, there was a dead fly on the dishwashing sink drainboard, there were rodent droppings in an outdoor storage area, a spiderweb was hanging from the ceiling near the walk-in cooler, cooked wontons were at an unsafe temperature, multiple containers of food were not being protected from contamination, and equipment and other surfaces throughout the restaurant needed cleaning. The restaurant has been on probation since August after failing three inspections and being shut down twice for rodent infestations in a two-year span.
