Sanitation slip-ups and cooling conundrums have put a local Mexican eatery on the health department's radar for failing not one, but two consecutive inspections. Guerrero's Mexican Restaurant scored a dismal 60 during its November health inspection, coming down from the already low score of 64 in September. A whopping 21 health code violations were noted this round, including improperly cooled foods and dirty ice machines, making it the establishment's second strike in as many months, according to a report by KSAT.
Besides failure to keep food at safe temperatures, Guerrero's employees were also caught not using gloves when handling ready-to-eat food, and an unsanitary incident involving a dropped thermometer nearly made it back into food service. KSAT's Tim Gerber visited the restaurant, but no manager was available to provide comments.
It's not just Guerrero who's facing the heat. Tienda Centro America, another San Antonio spot, faced license suspension due to a clogged grease trap leading to a sewage backup. Their woes included improperly labeled food and knives left dirty. A manager told KSAT that they were shut down for about an hour for clean-up before a required re-inspection allowed them to reopen. Additionally, Mary Chula Mexican Food had to toss compromised raw meat and moldy produce, with roaches sighted and unauthorized pest chemicals used in their kitchen.
These reports are a cause for concern among foodies and health officials alike. Fortunately, San Antonio diners have a digital tool to help them navigate the dining landscape with health in mind. KSAT's interactive map allows for a quick glance at restaurant scores, shining a light on the cleanest and the most questionable. Even with establishments scoring a perfect 100, Metro Health reminds patrons that the score is not an absolute but reflects conditions at the time of the inspection.
