RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Sushi, Taco Shops, Wal-Mart Deli, Winery Eateries

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County's Health Department cited 22 restaurants across the county, temporarily closing them due to immediate health concerns.

Between Oct. 21 and Nov. 20, health inspectors across the county identified “health hazards” for restaurant patrons during routine and surprise inspections. This time, health issues that caused immediate concern included ceiling leaks, failed hot water tanks, improper refrigeration temperatures, and rodent infestations.

These restaurants received immediate downgrades, as restaurant owners attempted, when possible, to repair the issues before inspectors left the premises. Owners can close their restaurants for a few hours or a day or two to address flagged problems before the next inspection. Otherwise, they must assign a subpar grade to their windows. Still, some issues take longer to resolve, leading to a restaurant's downgrade to “B” or “C” or a lengthy closure.

After an extensive closure, the Banning-area Silent Valley Club RV Resort has at last fully reopened as of Nov. 6, according to environmental health inspectors. This includes the Chuckwagon Restaurant and Lounge, The Silent Valley Club/Adult Snack Bar, The Silent Valley Club/Village Market, and The Silent Valley Youth Center Snack Bar.

The following 22 Riverside County restaurants experienced either minor or major violations, according to the most recent 'Food Facility Closures Report’ issued on Nov. 20:

Banning

• Banning High School Snack Bar, and the high school Gym Snack Bar, located at 100 W Westward Avenue, were temporarily shut down on Nov. 4 due to Insufficient Hot Water. That issue was ultimately repaired to the inspector’s satisfaction on Nov. 13, according to inspector reports.
• K & K MARKET, located at 40 N 1st Street in Banning, remained closed as of Oct. 16 due to a live cockroach infestation. Inspectors noted multiple live roaches in dry storage areas, as well as small holes where the vermin was likely entering. Pest control was called in, and a reinspection took place and the restaurant was allowed to reopen with an “A” grade on Oct. 20, according to inspector reports.
• GRAMMA'S COUNTRY KITCHEN 2868 W Ramsey Street was temporarily closed and downgraded to a “B” rating after cockroaches were found inside the restaurant. A reinspection and proper pest control allowed the restaurant to reopen on Oct. 28, according to inspector reports

Beaumont

• Cookie Co., located at 1545 E Second St # 500, in Beaumont, remained temporarily shuttered on Oct. 20 for operating without a valid health permit. “The health permit expired on Aug. 31, 2024,” Inspectors say. “Without a valid health permit, no proof of payment has been provided, and is hereby closed until permit and late fees are paid.”
• Little Caesars Pizza, located at 1667 E. Sixth Street, was temporarily closed on Oct. 28 due to a rodent infestation. The restaurant implemented proper rodent control measures and was allowed to reopen on Oct. 30, according to health inspectors.

Corona

• Hikari Sushi Ramen, located at 529 N. McKinley Street, Suite 101, was closed temporarily on Nov. 18 due to a cockroach infestation. Health inspectors returned to reopen the restaurant on Nov. 19 with an “A” grade after a pest control service was established.

Desert Hot Springs

• Pho Na 92 14220 Palm Drive was temporarily shut down on Sept. 26, due to improper handwashing stations and potentially hazardous food temperatures. During an Oct. 16 reinspection, the facility raised its grade from a “C” to “B,” showing it failed to meet minimum health standards. Another inspection was planned for Oct. 23 to ensure food safety.

Jurupa Valley

• Syriana (Pizza Jazz), located at 8884 Limonite Avenue, was temporarily closed on Oct. 28 due to a cockroach infestation, according to health inspectors. On Oct 29, inspectors returned, noting that all issues had been addressed and that proper pest control had been put in place. The restaurant reopened on Oct. 29, one day later, with an “A” grade.
• Donahoo’s Golden Chicken, located at 5749 Mission Boulevard, temporarily closed due to a cockroach infestation reported on Oct. 22. The cockroach infestation was resolved by Oct. 31, when inspectors observed no evidence of cockroach activity within the facility, and was using approved pest control methods to ensure the facility remains free of all pest activity. It reopened with its “A” grade.

Murrieta

• Wine Ranch Grill & Cellars, located at 24683 Washington Avenue, temporarily closed due to a rodent infestation and plumbing in disrepair. The rodent infestation closure lasted from Nov. 12 to 13, and the plumbing issue was repaired on Nov. 19, the same day of the report. The restaurant reopened with an “A” grade.
• Al-Reef Mediterranean Grill, located at 41539 Kalmia Street, Suite 116, temporarily closed on Oct. 29 due to improper handwashing facilities at the restaurant. The owners worked to rectify the issue, and the restaurant was allowed to reopen, with fines paid and an “A” grade as of Oct. 31, according to inspection reports.

Norco

• 7-ELEVEN #29685 B, located at 1845 Hamner Avenue, Suite E, temporarily closed on Nov. 6 due to a rodent infestation. It reopened with an “A” grade on Nov. 13 after proper pest control measures were put in place.
• Blue Ribbon Donuts, located at 1166 6th Street, temporarily closed after a cockroach infestation at the shop. The inspectors returned on Oct. 28 and found no sign of the vermin after proper measures were put into place. The restaurant was allowed to reopen with an “A” grade.

Nuevo

• Zapata's Authentic Mexican Food LLC, located at 29510 Nuevo Road, temporarily closed on Oct. 20 due to insufficient hot water and other issues, according to health inspection reports. The restaurant inspectors returned on Oct. 24, and granted the restaurant an “A” grade, with hot water fixed to proper temperatures.

Palm Springs

• Sammy G's Inc., located at 265 S. Palm Canyon Drive, closed temporarily on Nov. 18 due to a cockroach infestation. Health inspectors say the facility will remain closed until a reinspection on Nov. 25 confirms that the kitchen is free of cockroach activity. The reinspection must ensure all signs of cockroaches have been eliminated and gaps have been properly sealed, health inspectors say.

Perris

• Fish Taco Express Taqueria, located at 1675 N. Perris Boulevard, Suite B, was inspected on Nov. 4, during which environmental health workers noted that the customer and employee restrooms were inoperable. The restaurant workers fixed the issue while inspectors were there, and the restaurant was allowed to remain open.

Riverside

• Enzo's Pizza, located at 10170 Indiana Avenue, was temporarily closed on Nov. 12 due to a cockroach Infestation. A reinspection on Nov. 18 found the facility back in compliance, inspectors say. The “A” grade was restored on Nov. 18.
• Absolute Dollar, located at 6230 Van Buren Boulevard, temporarily closed on Nov. 6 due to a rodent infestation. Inspectors returned to approve the rodent capture methods and ensure proper sanitization. The restaurant was repairing an automatic front door to ensure it was fully self-closing and could reopen.
• Wal-Mart #2028 Deli, located at 5200 Van Buren Boulevard, temporarily closed on Nov. 3 due to insufficient hot water. The water heater was repaired, and the deli reopened on Nov. 4 with an “A” grade the following day.
• Yafa Mediterranean Cuisine, located at 1320 W Blaine Street, was temporarily closed due to insufficient hot water. The workers managed to repair the issue and adjusted the hot water to meet 120 degrees the same day, without closing.
• Azteca Market, located at 5125 Jurupa Avenue, temporarily closed due to a rodent Infestation noted during an inspection on Oct. 21. A return inspection on Oct. 28 showed the rodent activity had been abated and the restaurant was allowed to reopen with an “A” grade.

Temecula

• Wilson Creek Winery Restaurant, located at 35960 Rancho California Road, was temporarily closed on Nov. 4 due to a rodent infestation, environmental health inspectors said. A reinspection was conducted, and all violations from the previous inspection report were addressed. At that time, inspectors verified that rodent activity had been addressed. The "B" card has been removed, and the "A" grade has been restored.

Patch will continue our monthly Riverside County restaurant reports throughout the year. Let us know if you spy something amiss while you're out and about or if there's a restaurant that deserves a rave review!

Related Stories:

RivCo Restaurant Closures: Health Issues Spotted At Pizza Shops, Jack In The Box, Bars
16 RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Winery, Fast Food, Resort
RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Del Taco, Farmer Boys, Wine Ranch
18 RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Pizza, Coffee Shops, Snack Bars
RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Applebee's, Wingstop, HS Snack Bars
RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Donuts, Taco Shop, Korean BBQ Affected By Vermin, Cockroaches