A Parkland burger truck landed in the hot seat last week after a routine Pierce County inspection tallied 100 red critical points, a striking number for a mobile unit. Even with that, the truck still held an overall “Okay” grade on the county’s four-inspection scale, but inspectors cited a cluster of food safety failures that demanded immediate fixes. Several other local eateries also racked up 35 or more red points in the same inspection batch, triggering re-inspections across the county.
What Inspectors Found at Stacks Burgers
Inspectors reported that employees handled ready-to-eat rolls after touching raw meat without washing their hands, and found hot-holding temperatures that left cheese sauce and other items in the unsafe zone, according to The News Tribune. They also documented improper cooling of cooked foods. The report noted the truck had been doing overnight pork cooking without a functioning data logger, and staff were ordered to stop that practice until they can prove they have a working monitoring unit.
How the County Responds
Under Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department rules, any spot that racks up 35 or more red points must be re-inspected, and repeat critical violations can lead to a temporary shutdown. The department specifically lists a “repeated high score (100 or more red points) on a routine inspection” as one reason it may close a business, and says most closures are brief while operators correct the problems, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Other Restaurants Flagged This Week
Inspectors also cited Taqueria Los Potrillos #8 in Gig Harbor (55 red, 5 blue), which was temporarily closed for a plumbing issue and later reopened after a re-inspection, along with Ace Sushi at Stadium Thriftway (55 red, 5 blue), McMenamins Pub at Elks Temple (50 red), Boran Royal Thai (50 red) and several other spots that hit 35 red points. The News Tribune compiled the county’s inspection notes and scores for the week.
What Diners Should Know
The county emphasizes that inspection reports are a snapshot of conditions on the day inspectors show up, and that many serious issues get fixed on the spot. Posting inspection placards on-site and keeping two years of inspection history available online lets customers check recent results before ordering. If you spot unsanitary conditions or have concerns, the health department accepts reports and publicly lists closures and re-openings on its website. More information is available from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
