RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Del Taco, Santorini Gyro, Mr. Taco

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA —Two Riverside County restaurants reopened after being shut down due to health concerns discovered in September, according to the Riverside County Environmental Health Department's most recent report. County inspectors discovered poorly working coolers, dirty work counters, and fly infestations, among other issues, during routine inspections, leading to temporary or ongoing closures at seven more restaurants.

Each week, food facility inspectors make regular and unannounced inspections at restaurants, bakeries, delis, and bars across the county. Following rigorous checks, restaurants are issued grades ranging from "A" to "C." For anything under an "A" grade, restaurant owners can attempt to repair the issues before inspectors leave the premises. Still, some problems take longer to fix, leading to a downgrade or even a lengthy closure.

Two Riverside County restaurants reopened after resolving issues related to closure, inspectors said.

The restaurants below were returned with "A" grades after being closed between Sept. 19 and Sept. 28 for issues related to running safe and sanitary kitchens, according to the most recent Food Facility Closures Report.

Santorini Greek Cafe in Cathedral City, located at 68375 East Palm Canyon Drive, was closed temporarily on Monday, Sept. 18, due to insufficient hot or cold running water, according to the latest closure report. The restaurant was downgraded to a "C" grade and closed until the water temperature could be appropriately regulated for proper dish and handwashing. After fixing those issues, the restaurant reopened with an "A" grade on Sept. 21.

Panda Express #909 in Palm Springs, located at 425 South Sunrise Way Suite H-1, was closed on Sept. 8 when an inspector discovered an active cockroach infestation, according to reports. Inspectors found all issues resolved, with no sign of vermin in the restaurant upon inspection on Sept. 22. The restaurant was allowed to reopen with an "A" grade.

These restaurants experienced minor and major violations from Thursday's 'Food Facility Closures' Report:

The restaurants below were downgraded to "B" or "C" grades and closed between Sept. 19 and Sept. 28 for issues related to running safe and sanitary kitchens, according to the most recent Food Facility Closures Report.

On Sept. 14, inspectors arrived at Cathedral City's El Tarasco, located at 34481 Date Palm Drive, Suite #2-D, to find multiple cockroaches inside the kitchen and back counter areas, according to reports. Inspectors saw both live adult and nymph cockroaches and numerous smashed cockroaches in various places in the restaurant. As of Sept. 28, the restaurant had a"Facility Closed" sign that would remain in the window until the owners could resolve the infestation.

Hemet-based Samurai Sushi and Grill at 2200 West Florida Avenue, Suite D1, remained closed after being shut down Sept. 12 due to a cockroach and fly infestation. The vermin created an immediate health hazard, investigators reported. The restaurant received a "B" grade, which must remain posted until removed by the department. No reopening date was provided as of the most recent report.

The Del Taco #1040, located at 102 North Sunrise Way, was closed temporarily during a fly infestation, according to the report. A complaint drew inspectors to the restaurant after someone witnessed seeing "numerous flies in the restaurant and on food preparation surfaces." There was also a lack of hot water, and the food preparation areas were not clean or sanitized, according to the inspector's report. The restaurant was temporarily downgraded to a "B" grade and closed as they resolved the issue. That restaurant was allowed to reopen on Sept. 22 with an "A" grade following reinspection.

The Santorini Gyro, located at 190 Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, remained closed after failing its probationary inspection, according to inspectors. Inside the kitchen, there was excessive rust on prep tables, non-food-grade storage bins, and excessive ice in the freezer. A too-warm refrigerator threatened food items, many of which were voluntarily discarded during the inspection. This was the sixth inspection since June 2021, where the restaurant received less than an "A" grade. "Due to ongoing non-compliance and failed checks, the permit has been revoked, and the facility was ordered closed until all reported issues were resolved. No reopening date was projected.

In Rancho Mirage, the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa Banquet Kitchen, located at 71333 Dinah Shore Drive, was closed on Sept. 19 due to an insect infestation and improper cleaning of food contact surfaces, according to reports. It was reinspected and allowed to reopen with an "A" grade on Wednesday.

The Westin Mission Hills Pinzimini restaurant, also at 71333 Dinah Shore Drive, was closed on Sept. 19 due to improper vermin proofing, air curtains, and self-closing doors, inspectors reported. Inspectors said a routine inspection noticed an infestation of German cockroaches at the cooklines and ware wash areas. There was also an improper cleaning of food contact surfaces during that investigation, as no sanitizer was available in the food contact areas, they said. The restaurant was downgraded to a "C," and the facility was closed so that the issues reported could be resolved. No reopening date has yet been projected.

In Riverside, Mr. Taco Mexican Grill, located at 18590 Van Buren Boulevard, #2-E, was closed as of Sept. 19 due to improper refrigeration temperatures in the walk-in coolers, according to inspection reports. The restaurant manager voluntarily discarded a large tray of carnitas, raw beef, cooked chicken, carne asada, multiple salsa containers, and more items while the inspectors were present. The restaurant had the cooler properly repaired and reopened with an "A" grade on Sept. 20.

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
• Jun. 1: RivCo Restaurant Inspections: Flies in Food; Street Vendors Shut Down
• Jun. 29: RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Jamba Juice, Lucky Wok, Pizza Chains
• Jul. 20: RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Subway, Sbarro, Spa Food
• Sept. 2: RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Tom's Jr. Burgers, Mr. You, Shogun
• Sept. 21: RivCo Restaurant Health Closures, Reopenings: Panda Express, Crusty's