Calling Marvin Zindler! Houston Restaurant Mishaps For May 29-June 5

HOUSTON, TX — Restaurants are supposed to follow guidelines when it comes to food preparation and general hygiene, but things don't always goes as they should. Employees take shortcuts, employers don't provide proper training, and, well, roaches and rats are hearty, crafty creatures. And those ice machines!

All of those things, and more, can result in illness and disease, which is why the Houston health inspectors make the rounds to the area's thousands of restaurants and food trucks on a regular basis, making sure things are being done properly.

Here's a look at some Houston Restaurant Violations for May 29-June 5, as compiled by our friends at the Houston Chronicle.

OK, we'll start with ice. Monterey's Little Mexico, at 1331 Crosstimbers, was forced to get rid of 800 pounds of ice when an inspector certified that it was not safe for human consumption.

Chavez Mexican Cafe, which operates at 2557 Gessner Road, was the recipient of 71 demerits, the most during the week, for a number of issues, including a "final notice" concerning the lack of soap at hand-washing sinks.

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As the Chronicle reported, seven eateries, including Hunan Star, were penalized during the week for hand-washing infractions.

Here's how the folks at the Chronicle explain the Houston restaurant violation demerit system:

During health inspections, inspectors distribute violations that carry a weight between 1 and 25, increasing in severity. The term "demerit" is used by city health inspectors to describe the weighted value assigned to each violation.

Here are some other violations for the week:

Ray's Real Pit Bbq Shack, 4529 Old Spanish Trail, 77021: flies in dining area
Los Cucos Mexican Cafe, 1111 Studewood, 77008: taquitos not safe for human consumption
C.T. Buffet and Sushi, 5800 Bellaire Boulevard, 77081: noodles held at unsafe temperatures

In case you missed it:

Houston Restaurant Violations For May 22-30: Rodent Droppings

And for a blast from the past:

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