Stanislaus County’s Department of Environmental Resources conducts two unannounced food safety inspections each year for most of the county’s 2,400 permitted food service establishments. Food trucks operating under a county health permit are also inspected, but these checks are scheduled and take place at the department’s office. Inspection reports are scanned weekly and made available online.
On Wednesday, The Modesto Bee received 24 restaurant inspection reports from the week of September 1-7. The reports detail violations found during routine inspections at several Stanislaus County food facilities. The records do not specify whether a business passed or failed its inspection, and corrective actions may have been taken by the time of publication.
Dollar General at 7100 Hughson Ave. in Hughson was cited for three violations on September 2, including one major violation: “The electric hot water heater was not operational. The hand-washing sinks and toilet surfaces in the bathroom were discolored/stained. The paper towel dispensers in the bathroom were not operational.”
Golden Dragon at 2305 W. Main St. in Turlock had five violations on September 2: “Multiple containers of raw chicken were on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Two tomato sauce cans were being used to hold chicken and beef in the prep fridge. Cloth towels were lining some of the wire racks in the walk-in cooler. The towels were soiled with debris. The condenser fan unit in the walk-in had dust accumulation. There was black buildup on the deflector shield in the ice machine.”
Hot Rod Diner at 130 Walnut Road in Turlock was found with seven violations on September 2, including one major issue: “An employee was handling soiled utensils and dishes at the ware-washing station and then handling clean utensils and dishes without washing hands. Black buildup was observed on the shield deflector in the ice machine. A plastic container of butter was observed in the three-compartment sink. A large container of cooked potatoes was left at room temperature. The internal temperature of the potatoes was 119 degrees (must be a minimum of 135 degrees). Hot water at the three-compartment sink and mop sink measured 105 degrees (must be 120 degrees minimum). The facility did not have a food safety certification, which was a repeat violation. A current health permit was not posted in a conspicuous location for public viewing.” Two violations remained during a reinspection on September 4.
Diamond Gas and Mart at 3401 Yosemite Blvd. in Modesto had six violations on September 2, two considered major: “Rice in a steam stable was measured at 126 degrees. The hot water line at the hand-washing sink was turned off. Paper towel dispensers were empty in the bathroom. An NSF-approved probe thermometer was lacking. A valid health permit and a food safety certificate were lacking.” Three violations remained after a reinspection on September 8.
Edwins Coffee Shop & Taqueria at 4633 Main St., Denair received four violations on September 3: “Refrigerator surfaces had stain buildup. Hood filters and floor area below cooking line had grease accumulation. A freezer was not operational.”
For more information or updates about individual restaurants’ inspection status, residents can search for reports through Stanislaus County’s Department of Environmental Resources website.
