All but two of the latest restaurants visited in the Coachella Valley passed their Riverside County health inspections this week, according to reports.
Both Palm Desert’s Oceana restaurant and Coachella’s Tacos El Viejon received failing “C” grades due to several violations, including improper handwashing procedures and thawing of packaged fish that were observed at both restaurants.
Here are the restaurants that were inspected in the Coachella Valley Sept. 4-11:
‘C’ grades
Oceana, 77932 Country Club Drive, Suite 24, Palm Desert
- Inspection conducted Sept. 9
- Major Violations: The inspector observed a food handling employee in the kitchen wash and dry their hands while they had gloves on. An employee was also seen wiping their gloved hands on their pants while at the cook line. An employee on the cookline was seen improperly washing a knife by dipping it in a sanitizer and then wiping it with “the reusable cloth from sanitizer bucket.” Packaged raw tuna steaks and Branzino steaks were seen thawing in storage (such fish is supposed to be removed from packaging before thawing).
- Minor Violations: A handwashing sink in the employee restroom was observed to not have warm water; several containers of raw beef or fish were seen stored above cooked or ready-to-eat food; a large bulk bag of “Chilimona” was seen stored in the employee restroom; and others. (The report didn’t detail what “Chilimona” is.)
- A follow-up inspection has been scheduled for Sept. 16.
Tacos El Viejon, 51697 Harrison Street in Coachella
- Inspection conducted on Sept. 8.
- Major Violations: A cook stated they shook their hands to air dry them after washing, instead of properly drying. Three packages of raw fish were observed thawing still in their packaging.
- Minor Violations: The food manager card was missing (a repeat violation), paper towels were not supplied at some sinks; gaps were seen in the edges of a back door; food items, including chips and pico de gallo, being stored uncovered; and others.
- A reinspection was scheduled for Sept. 15.
‘A’ grades
An “A” grade, or a score of 90 to 100 points, means a restaurant passed an inspection and met minimum health standards…