A recent inspection of food establishments in Stanislaus County revealed several health violations, including the discovery of a treadmill in a storage area and raw fish not listed on the menu at Donut Family in Oakdale. The treadmill was noted as a repeat violation from an inspection conducted in August 2024.
The Stanislaus County Department of Environmental Resources oversees about 2,400 permitted food service businesses, each subject to two unannounced routine inspections per year. Inspection reports are scanned weekly and made available online. Food trucks operating under county permits are also inspected, but those inspections are scheduled and take place at the department’s office.
Among the 65 restaurant inspection reports reviewed recently, three had not been updated on the county’s website as of Thursday morning. Violations were documented during routine checks between November 10 and November 30. The reports list only the dates of violations and do not specify whether establishments passed or failed their inspections. Businesses may have corrected issues by the time this information was published.
Empire Smoke Shop in Empire received three violations on November 10, including a stained toilet bowl, an empty paper towel dispenser in the bathroom, and insufficient hot water temperature.
Mother India Cuisine in Ceres had nine violations on November 10. Issues included uncovered candies on service counters, improper food storage practices such as placing prepared foods next to raw chicken, lack of organization in storage areas, dirty vent covers, missing soap dispensers at hand-washing sinks, rear doors that were not self-closing, and missing food handler cards and safety certificates. Three violations remained unresolved during a follow-up inspection on November 24.
Saigon One Restaurant in Modesto was cited for seven violations on November 13—two considered major—including failure to wash hands before putting on gloves to prepare food, lack of soap and paper towels at hand-washing stations, improper refrigeration temperatures for shrimp and meats, presence of live flies inside the facility, use of coolers for bulk noodle storage (a repeat violation), improper storage temperatures for sprouts and cut lemons, debris accumulation in refrigerators and ventilation hoods. Two issues persisted after a reinspection on November 19.
Tony’s Donuts and Grill in Empire had eight violations recorded on November 17. Problems included unsanitary bathrooms, improper storage of raw chicken next to produce, wastewater left standing in mop buckets instead of being disposed properly, buildup of food debris throughout prep areas including floors and kitchen surfaces. One violation remained after a December 1 reinspection.
Donut Family’s six violations included having a treadmill where dry ingredients are stored—a repeated issue from last year—personal belongings scattered around kitchen areas, unapproved storage of raw fish not listed as a menu item, an employee bathroom door held open with string within the prep area, expired food safety certification documents, and missing sanitizer test strips.
StickyRice Restaurant in Ceres received six violations involving thawing raw chicken improperly at sinks used for dishwashing; storing containers with raw meat next to vegetables; keeping large bags of produce directly on floors; residue buildup inside ice machines; stains on trash bins; all issues were corrected by November 25.
La Morenita in Modesto had three violations related to black growth inside ice machines; employees washing hands at incorrect sinks; holes found in dry storage walls.
Stop N Shop in Modesto faced five violations—two major—including partially detached bathroom sinks without paper towels; cluttered dishwashing sinks filled with beverage cans; propped-open entrance doors; ice machine drain pipes lacking proper air gaps. One violation persisted after reinspection.
Charley’s Grilled Subs reported six violations such as high cooler temperatures above safe limits for storing perishable foods; stagnant water found inside walk-in coolers; missing vent covers leading to heavy ice buildup; lack of required food safety certification documents.
Golden Bowl Chinese Restaurant had six violations—two major—including storing large quantities of raw meat at room temperature or thawing frozen meat improperly outside refrigeration units; accumulation of grease under fryers; expired safety certificates or absent handler cards. One violation remained unresolved after December 1 follow-up.
Other facilities with three or more—or major—violations were also identified during this period while some businesses had only minor or no infractions according to county records. Some establishments were closed when inspectors attempted visits due to inaccurate posted hours or unreported closures.
