RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Subway, Sbarro, Spa Food

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Nine different Riverside County restaurants were forced to close temporarily since mid-June as owners battled major and minor health violations, the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health agency said.

Program Chief Kristin Lorge and the inspectors track potential health issues related to improper food storage temperatures, cleanliness, hand washing, and even live animals or insect infestations, all available for review on the agency's website.

"The public has the right to know what happened during the closure and how long it took to fix," Lorge said.

Inspectors arrive unannounced at restaurants across the county and are either dinged or awarded inspection grades based on what is found on counters, in sinks, and inside refrigerators. Inspection grades range from "A" to "C."

If you see your favorite eatery on the list, the county health department closed the restaurant until it cleaned up its act. In most cases, restaurants return to compliance within a day or two. Still, others must prove that pest control and plumbing issues will not reoccur to remain open.

Here are the Riverside County food establishments that were closed temporarily due to minor and major violations since June 26, from the most recent 'Food Facility Closures' report issued on Thursday, July 20:

In Cabazon, Sbarro pizza, located at 48650 Seminole Drive #210F, was closed temporarily after inspectors arrived on a complaint of flies inside the restaurant. The surprise inspection revealed flies in the front service area and cockroaches at the rear of the facility, according to the report. Inspectors also witnessed "improper handwashing by a kitchen worker and spotted pizza dough stored nearby a handwashing station." The issues were resolved, and inspectors regraded the establishment with an "A" on July 13.

Corona's Subway restaurant, located at 1106 West 6th Street, Suite C, was temporarily closed due to "rodents, insects or other animals" at the site on June 27, according to the inspector's report. That closure lasted two days until the vermin were removed and the restaurant was regraded.

An imminent health risk forced the closure of the Desert Hot Springs Spa, located at 10805 Palm Drive in Desert Hot Springs, which failed its probationary inspection Wednesday, according to inspector Shanna Sidwell's report. She noted multiple health violations, including "lack of ventilation, improper food storage temperatures, uncovered food, and a live lizard in the eating area." The restaurant is due for reinspection on July 25.

The Smogcutter Lounge in Lake Elsinore, located at 31091 Riverside Drive, was closed temporarily due to a "cockroach, rodent, or fly infestation" witnessed by inspectors on July 5. That restaurant reopened two days later after getting the insects under control, according to inspection reports.

Norco's Nutrishop, located at 1411 Hamner Avenue, #103, was closed temporarily on June 27 for operating without a valid health permit. That was rectified two days later when the business regained a current permit.

Steamy Hallow in Palm Desert, located at 72950 Highway 111, Suite A115, was also closed due to operating without a valid health permit on July 14. The eatery was allowed to reopen the same day when a valid permit was obtained.

Kaiser Grill Palm Springs, located at 205 S. Palm Canyon, was closed on June 28 for a "cockroach, rodent or fly infestation," inspectors said. The restaurant was allowed to reopen two days later, on June 30.

Riverside's Mr. China Express, located at 6160 Arlington Avenue, Suite #C12, was temporarily closed at the end of June due to plumbing back-ups and improper wastewater disposal, inspectors say. The restaurant reopened on June 30.

Also in Riverside, Mamma Mia, located at 10971 Magnolia Avenue, was closed Wednesday due to unapproved construction and remodeling, inspectors reported. No additional information was available as to a potential reopening date.

See previous restaurant closures in Riverside County:

• May 4: RivCo Restaurant Health Inspections: Cardenas Market, Starbucks Cited
• May 11: RivCo Restaurant Inspections: Boba Fiend, Del Taco, Jack In The Box
• May 18: RivCo Restaurant Inspections: Wienerschnitzel, 7-Eleven
• May 25: RivCo Restaurant Inspections: Panda Express, Domino's Pizza, Wingstop
• June 1: RivCo Restaurant Inspections: Flies in Food; Street Vendors Shut Down
• June 29: RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Jamba Juice, Lucky Wok, Pizza Chains