RivCo Restaurants Shut Down Amid Health Inspections: Wings, Burger Joints, Sushi Spots And More

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County's Health Department inspected, downgraded, or shut down 32 restaurants across the county due to immediate health concerns since late April, according to its latest report.

Health inspectors across the county downgraded restaurants for behind-the-scenes “health hazards” discovered during their visits between April 22 and June 18.

Among the primary concerns inspectors noted were sewage backups in bathrooms and kitchen areas, cockroach and rodent infestations, and insufficient hot water for hand and dishwashing stations, all of which could potentially cause illness among patrons, the department says.

Riverside County's food facility inspectors conduct both unannounced visits to restaurants, bakeries, delis, and bars throughout the county, as well as regularly scheduled visits. They also drop in on area snack bars at schools and sporting arenas. During the inspection, they follow a specific checklist, grading for cleanliness, proper cooling and warming temperatures of food and food storage.

They also assess the availability of appropriate hand-washing stations and ensure the correct temperatures are maintained, which helps keep diners healthy. Finally, they look for signs of vermin, from rodent droppings to cockroach nymphs and even body parts. The inspectors' work, which involves checking for leaks, drips, and proper refrigeration temperatures, ensures that the food you order at a restaurant will not cause you to become ill.

After each inspection, each restaurant is issued a grade ranging from "A" to "C." For anything under an "A" grade, restaurant owners can attempt to repair the issues before inspectors leave 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 place a sub-par grade on their windows. Still, some issues take longer to resolve, leading to a restaurant's “B” or “C” downgrade or a lengthy closure.

The following 32 Riverside County restaurants experienced either minor or major violations, according to the most recent 'Food Facility Closures Report’ issued on June 18:

Banning:

GUS JR. #7, located at 3559 W Ramsey Street, was closed temporarily on May 6 due to a rodent infestation, and droppings were found inside the facility. It was reopened on June 9, after the owner provided inspectors with proof that a pest control company had serviced the business. The restaurant regained its “A” grade on May 27, according to inspectors following a follow-up visit.

Cathedral City:

Tacos Del Valle, located at 68467 E Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City, was temporarily closed on May 21. That location has re-earned its “A” grade after resolving the issues. “The operator has completed and provided approved standard operating procedures for ware washing, cleaning, and is permitted to operate,” inspectors reported on June 17.

Big League Dreams, Cathedral City, located at 33700 Date Palm Drive, has closed temporarily due to a cockroach infestation. It was allowed ot reopen three days later when the business resolved the issues with vermin.

Corona:

El Pollo Norteno #6, located at 324 S. Main Street, was temporarily closed on May 12, due to a total lack of water, according to inspector reports. The water was turned on the next day and on May 13, the restaurant reopened.

Hemet:

Siam Garden, located at 1527 E Florida Avenue, was closed for about five days on May 11 due to rodent infestation. The restaurant was allowed to reopen on May 16, after they resolved the issue to the inspector’s satisfaction.

Indio:

Indio’s Restaurante El Gallo, located at 84400 Indio Boulevard, was temporarily closed on June 3 after inspectors noted a vermin infestation, excluding cockroaches and rodents. Inspectors arrived at the restaurant following a change of ownership, and due to the presence of flies at the facility, they voluntarily closed their doors until the issue could be resolved. There was no immediate information available on when the restaurant would reopen.

Jurupa Valley:

Taqueria Ramirez, doing business as El Camaroncito, located at 2592 Rubidoux Boulevard, closed temporarily on June 4 due to a rodent infestation. That restaurant reopened on June 6, after owners rectified the problem, according ot inspector reports.

Rio Ranch Market Deli, located at 9001 Mission Boulevard, closed temporarily on May 15 due to cockroach infestations, inspectors say. Inspectors observed two live nymphs on the floor below the grill in the ventilation hood area, and one live adult German cockroach on the floor near the beverage station and dry storage, according to reports. That restaurant called in assistance from an exterminator, sealed holes and fixed grout, and was allowed to reopen the next day with an “A” grade.

Lake Elsinore:

Lakepoint Park, located at 420 E Lakeshore Drive, remains closed as of June 12 due to a rodent infestation, vermin droppings, and other issues, according to inspectors. Park workers say "the food establishment has not been operational for a full year." Downgraded to a “B,” it has failed numerous health and safety code violations, including those related to animal droppings, infestations, and plumbing issues. As of this report, it was unclear when and if this facility would reopen.

Menifee:

Rasoi Indian Food, located at 27738 Encanto Drive in Menifee, was temporarily closed on May 30 due to a power and utility outage. That facility resolved the issue and was allowed to reopen with its “A” grade on May 30, according to inspection reports.

Hana Sushi, located at 30098 Haun Road, Suite 300, was temporarily closed by environmental health inspectors on April 30 due to a lack of hot water. On May 1, the restaurant resolved the water heater issue the following day and was allowed to reopen with an “A” grade.

Moreno Valley:

Best Western Moreno Hotel & Suites, located at 24840 Elder Avenue, closed temporarily on June 13, due to a rodent infestation and no available hand sanitizer. “The facility was downgraded to a ‘C,’ failing to meet the minimum health standards,” inspector reports say. A follow-up inspection on June 17 showed they had cleaned and removed all rodent droppings and had the necessary sanitizer for warewashing. It was given an “A” grade and allowed to reopen that day.

Sunnymead Park, located at 12655 Perris Blvd, was temporarily shut down on June 10 due to a rodent infestation, according to health inspectors. The facility was working to shore up gaps and ensure activity was halted, and was voluntarily closed until further notice.

Hot Dog On A Stick, located at 22500 Town Circle, Suite 2145, closed temporarily on May 21, according to health inspectors. The counter-service kitchen had no operational exhaust hood for the fryers. Inspectors also noted a leaking ice machine and expired food handler cards. The restaurant was forced to close until May 23, when inspectors approved all of the necessary repairs.

Buffalo Wild Wings, located at 12450 Day Street, closed for one day on May 20 due to a water heater malfunction. The restaurant owners had a tankless water heater installed, and re-washed and sanitized all clean utensils on the storage rack, which was near a work area, and potentially contaminated before May 21, when it was allowed to reopen.

Luna's Sunday Cafe LLC, located at 22500 Town Circle, Suite 1099, closed on May 7 due to “Plumbing in Disrepair,” according to inspectors. The facility installed a new pressure sprayer with no faucet that could reach all three basins. The manager replaced the part to the satisfaction of environmental health inspectors, and the restaurant was allowed to reopen the same day.

Rally's, located at 12721 Moreno Beach Drive, temporarily closed on May 6 due to a rodent infestation and insufficient hot water, according to inspection reports. The inspector noted “gnaw marks and a rodent dropping on an unopened bag of hamburger buns, and observed the bun inside of the package to have a piece bitten off of it.” Those were discarded, and the restaurant was downgraded and temporarily closed due to the immediate health hazard. The store got to work over the next few weeks, and turned the grade around to an “A,” replacing the water heater and eliminating the rodent issues. On May 20 it was allowed to fully reopen.

Murrieta:

Al-Reef Mediterranean Grill, located at 41539 Kalmia Street, Suite 116, was temporarily closed on April 30 due to a rodent infestation, according to environmental health reports. The restaurant addressed the vermin issue and was allowed to reopen with an “A” grade one day later. This was the second time the restaurant had closed due to rodent infestations; the last instance occurred from March 19 to 26.

Norco:

The Hampton Inn, located at 1530 Hamner Avenue, closed its continental breakfast service on May 19 after failing to comply with a Notice of Violation, inspectors reported. The operators completed payment of their Food Facility Permit and were allowed to reopen one day later.

Perris:

The Derby Room - Perris, located at 18700 Lake Perris Drive, was shuttered for one day on April 23 due to a Rodent Infestation. The restaurant was allowed to reopen on April 24, when no evidence of rodents was found.

Birrieria el Apatzingan Estilo Michoacan, located at 546 Indian Hills Circle, Suite G, suffered a cockroach infestation on April 22, according to health inspector reports. The restaurant voluntarily closed, engaged an exterminator and was ultimately able to control the infestation and reopen by May 8, according to reports.

Riverside:

George’s Drive Inn, located at 9910 Magnolia Avenue, closed temporarily on June 9 due to a sewage overflow, and the restaurant was operating in various states of disrepair, according to inspector reports. The restaurant was allowed to reopen upon the inspector’s return on June 17, according to inspection reports.

Boba Fiend Tea House, 3375 Iowa Ave Suite L, was closed on May 28 for operating without a Valid Health Permit, according to inspectors. The operator complied with the request to obtain a valid permit within 48 hours, and the restaurant remained closed as of May 30. It was unclear if it had reopened since.

New India Sweets & Spices, 1320 W. Blaine Street, Suite ABC, closed temporarily on May 14 due to a live cockroach infestation, among other issues at the restaurant. Two weeks later, they were allowed to reopen after repairing holes, ensuring the vermin were unable to return.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries at Riverside, located at 3747 Central Avenue, Suite 101, was closed temporarily on May 15 due to a sewage overflow. Later that day, the city of Riverside gave the all clear, and the restaurant was allowed to reopen the same day.

Jimmy Johns Sandwiches #3656, 3747 Central Avenue # 102, was similarly closed due to the May 15 sewage overflow. The City of Riverside resolved the issue, and Jimmy Johns was allowed to reopen the same day.

Outpost Pizza, located at 3692 Sunnyside Drive, was temporarily closed on May 2 due to a sewage overflow. Health inspectors described the plumbing problem as “a sewage/ grease backup.” That issue was resolved, and the restaurant was allowed to reopen, maintaining its “A” grade.

Casa Tacos, located at 6247 Day Street, suffered a fire in its barbecue grill on April 25, according to health inspectors. The fire suppression unit discharged within the facility at that time. Health inspectors worked with the owners to reopen three days later, after the facility's fire suppression system discharged at the cookline. With no structural damage, all food was discarded, all affected areas were cleaned and sanitized, and the fire suppression system was recharged. The facility reopened on April 28.

San Jacinto:

TJ Bakery, located at 714 S San Jacinto Avenue, was closed temporarily on June 11 due to insufficient hot water, according to inspector reports. As of this report, no re-inspection notification has been reported.

Temecula:

Mr. Kabob Fresh Mediterranean Grill, located at 28120 Jefferson Avenue, #A101, was closed temporarily on May 29 due to a cockroach infestation, inspectors reported. “It is recommended that the facility maintain a regular pest control service,” inspectors said. At a return visit, no live cockroaches were observed at the facility. It was allowed to fully reopen as of June 9, with an “A” grade.

Pho Ha #127536, located at Ynez Road Suite F23, closed temporarily on May 27 due to a lack of proper handwashing and proper placement of cleaning supplies, and refrigerator temperatures, inspectors reported. On May 28, the facility was reopened with an “A” grade, according to inspectors. “The operator stated that the units were low on freon and have since been corrected. The inspector has removed the impound tag at that time,” they said.

Corner Bakery Cafe, located at 26440 Ynez Road, temporarily closed on May 5 due to a lack of hot water. The owners scheduled a replacement water heater for the same day, and the water temperature issue was resolved, allowing the restaurant to reopen the same day and maintain its “A” grade.

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!

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