RivCo Restaurant Inspections: Boba Fiend, Del Taco, Jack In The Box

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Nine Riverside County were closed temporarily over the last two months as they dealt with improper food storage temperatures, cockroach infestations and other health issues, the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health agency said.

The department watches these and all other potential health issues, according to Program Chief Kristin Lorge.

Restaurants are inspected by the agency unannounced and are either awarded or dinged with inspection grades ranging from "A" to "C." If you see your favorite eatery on the list, it means 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 in order to remain open.

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

Here are the Riverside County food establishments that were closed temporarily due to minor and major violations since April 2023, from the most recent 'Food Facility Closures' report issued on Tuesday, May 9:

In Cathedral City, T's On The Green, LLC, located at 36200 Date Palm Drive, was shut down on April 26 due to a "cockroach infestation." This closure followed repeated failed inspections within a two-year period. An administrative hearing was held on Wednesday, indicating the severity of the situation. However, as of May 4, there was no information available regarding a rescheduled inspection, and an attempt to contact the restaurant went unanswered.

Boba Fiend Tea House in Corona faced a temporary closure on April 19 due to "insufficient hot or cold running water." The issue was resolved promptly, and the establishment was able to reopen on April 20.

Similarly, the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort in Indian Wells experienced a closure on April 26 due to "insufficient hot or cold running water." However, the problem was rectified, and the resort reopened the following day, on April 27.

Del Taco #132 in Norco faced closure on April 12 due to "insufficient refrigeration and/or inadequate means to maintain potentially hazardous food hot." The issue was addressed promptly, and the restaurant was able to resume operations on April 13.

The Mitzell Senior Center in Palm Springs faced closure on March 14 due to a "cockroach, rodent, or fly infestation." This closure was a result of rodent activity in the kitchen and food storage areas, although the facility was not in use at the time due to a planned kitchen renovation. Measures were taken to receive premade meals from an off-site approved location during the construction period. The closure was initiated following three public complaints.

Fish Taco Express in Perris faced closure on May 1 due to an immediate health hazard caused by a "cockroach infestation." However, the facility was allowed to reopen on May 8 after the issue was resolved. A re-inspection is scheduled for May 16 to ensure that the establishment remains vermin-free.

In Riverside, Los Altos Meat Market Inc., located at 2906 Madison Street, faced closure on April 14 due to "plumbing back-up/improper wastewater disposal." The issue was addressed, and the market was permitted to reopen on April 18.

Jack in the Box #3581, located at 3886 Chicago Avenue in Riverside, was closed on April 25 due to "plumbing back-up/improper wastewater disposal." However, the problem was rectified promptly, and the restaurant reopened on the same day.

Lastly, Hibachi Grill Buffet located at 10102 Indiana Avenue in Riverside faced closure on May 4 due to "adulterated food and no sanitizer available and/or improper cleaning of food contact surfaces."

SEE PREVIOUS:

• May 4: RivCo Restaurant Health Inspections: Cardenas Market, Starbucks Cited

According to the county, an "A" grade from the County of Riverside symbolizes the hard work and efforts of the food establishment. Restaurants that fail to meet standards receive lower grades of "B" or "C" and can close temporarily before being re-inspected.