Coachella Valley restaurant health inspections: Eateries fail over food temps, handwashing

While most Coachella Valley restaurants passed health inspections this week, two eateries were docked several points leading to "B" and "C" grades, according to reports conducted May 17 through 22.

China Wok in Palm Desert received a "C," while WaBa Grill in Indio earned a "B." Neither site had major violations, but they were penalized for improper hand washing techniques, hot and cold food holding temperatures, food separation and storage and more.

Major violations pose an imminent risk to public health and warrant the immediate closure of a food facility or immediate correction, while minor violations do not pose an imminent public health risk, but do warrant correction.

0 major violations, 26 points deducted

China Wok, 77-912 Country Club Drive, Suite 31, Palm Desert (Note: Full inspection report was not available)

• Minor violations include: Improper glove use; improper hot and cold food holding temperatures; vermin (not specified); lack of food separation and possible contamination; food storage; equipment and utensils in need of repairs and cleaning; floors, walls and ceiling in need of cleaning; and others
• Restaurant earned "C" grade. No information available on a future reinspection date

0 major violations, 20 points deducted

WaBa Grill, 42-250 Jackson St., Suite C101, Indio

• Minor violations include: Observed person in charge assist customer at register then put on gloves and start assembling food without washing hands; improper hot and cold food holding temperatures (cooked carrots and broccoli measuring 102-105 degrees in hot holding unit); no sanitizer present inside the kitchen area during active food preparation; men's and women's restrooms don't have hot water that measures 120 degrees; uncovered chicken in cooler; several wet, soiled towels on counter spaces around the kitchen; floors, walls and ceiling need cleaning; all food handler certificates expired, one missing and one unapproved by Riverside County; and others
• "B" card posted and a reinspection has been set for May 28

Grade A restaurants

An “A” grade, or a score of 90 to 100 points, means a restaurant passed an inspection and met minimum health standards.

Cathedral City

• Desert Thai, 68-718 E. Palm Canyon Drive
• DJ's Sports Bar & Grill, 34-331 Date Palm Drive
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Cathedral City Palm Springs, 67-711 30th Ave.
• Tacos Del Valle, 68-467 E. Palm Canyon Drive (passed reinspection)

Coachella

• Wingstop, 83-097 48 Ave., Suite D-2

Desert Hot Springs

• Burger King, 66-745 Two Bunch Palm Trail
• Elks Lodge, 64-680 Pierson Blvd. (reopened after reinspection)
• Papaya's, 13-313 Palm Drive, Suite E
• Escapade Tavern, 12-347 Palm Drive

Palm Desert

• Fresh Agave Mexican Bar & Grill, 73-325 Highway 111

Palm Springs

• Hidden Oasis Bistro, 275 N. El Cielo Road, Suite D404
• Tonga Hut, 254 N. Palm Canyon Drive
• Chipotle Mexican Grill, 2465 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 1110
• Palm Springs Power Baseball Club, 1901 E. Baristo Road
• Santorini Gyro, 190 N. Palm Canyon Drive

Rancho Mirage

• The Palms Cafe, 69-930 Highway 111, Suite 120

Note: No restaurant inspections were reported for the week of May 17 through 22 in Indian Wells and La Quinta.

This weekly report was compiled using restaurant grading reports from the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health , accessible at restaurantgrading.rivcoeh.org/Default.aspx

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella Valley restaurant health inspections: Eateries fail over food temps, handwashing