15-05-2025
Trio of ABQ BioPark Zoo eateries red-tagged last week
May 15—These are summaries of Albuquerque Environmental Health restaurant inspections. For more information, or to view a searchable database of city restaurant inspections, visit
GREEN: Food establishment received a passing grade, demonstrating the skills to create a safe and sanitary food- service environment.
YELLOW: Food establishment can operate but must follow a plan to correct violations observed during inspection.
RED: Food establishment had major violations that presented an imminent hazard and required an immediate downgrade or closure.
May 5-9
GREEN
Asia Food And Retail, 903 10th SW (May 9)
Bangkok Bite, 8246 Menaul NE (May 6)
Burger King, 6060 San Mateo NE (May 6)
Carl's Jr., 5511 Alameda NE (May 8)
Carousel Ticket Booth, 903 10th SW (May 9)
CloudWalker Farm Dispensary, 1629 4th NW (May 8)
Clyde Hotel, 330 Tijeras NW (May 6)
Denny's, 11261 Menaul NE (May 6)
Dutch Bros, 700 Coors NW (May 6)
Happy Dispensary, 904 Broadway NE (May 6)
Jack in the Box, 10100 Central SE (May 5)
Jungle Wheels, 903 10th SW (May 9)
Los Volcanes Senior Center, 6500 Los Volcanes NW (May 6)
Matunda Cafe, 903 10th SW (May 9)
Maverik, 1915 Menaul NE (May 7)
Oasis Cannabis Co., 3500 Menaul NE (May 7)
Oasis Cannabis Co., 6311 Lomas NE (May 7)
Painting with a Twist, 8510 Montgomery NE (May 7)
Panda Express, 8126 San Pedro NE (May 8)
Popcorn Cannery, 1727 7th NW (May 7)
9821 Montgomery NE (May 6)
Raising Cane's, 4800 Montgomery NE (May 7)
Rude Boy Cookies, 2500 12th NW, Bld E (May 6)
Senas Beef Jerky, 2129 Central NW (May 5)
Rude Boy Cookies, 2500 12th NW (May 6)
Sena's Beef Jerky, 2129 Central NW (May 5)
Shark Reef Restaurant, 2601 Central NW (May 9)
Solo Club Inc., 2500 Candelaria NE (May 6)
Subway, 5850 Eubank NE (May 8)
The Cake Boutique, 3250 Coors NW (May 8)
The Craftroom, 2809 Broadbent NE (May 7)
Tru by Hilton, 4949 Jefferson NE (May 6)
Walgreens, 2105 Central NW (May 5)
YDI Heights Head Start, 2520 Virginia NE (May 5)
YDI Embudo, 8000 Mountain NE (May 6)
YELLOW
Burger King, 10000 Coors Bypass NW (May 6)
Cafe Chill, 903 10th SW (May 9)
Cones, 903 10th SW (May 9)
Cottonwood Cafe, 903 10th SW (May 9)
Kidz R Us Learning Academy, 222 La Veta NE (May 7)
Kindred Hospital, 700 High NE (May 9)
Mexico Lindo, 1725 Broadway SE (May 8)
Turquoise Trail, 903 10th SW (May 9)
Shark Reef Bar, 2601 Central NW (May 9)
Sunport Grille, 1501 Sunport SE (May 7)
Tru by Hilton, 4949 Jefferson NE (May 6)
RED
Mexico Lindo, 1725 Broadway SE (May 8)
Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials from bulk supplies were not properly labeled or identified. A food employee exited the kitchen and then entered the kitchen without washing hands before beginning to prep food items. No approved method for handwashing or hand drying. A nonfood contact surface inside the kitchen covering stainless steel shelving with cardboard, was not easily cleanable and had debris buildup. Menudo, pico de gallo, pastry dough and egg mix for batter in the reach-in refrigerator were stored improperly, where it was exposed to contamination from splash, dust or other contamination. The food establishment does not have a certified food protection manager on staff. Food temperature measuring devices were not provided or readily accessible. The food establishment does not have temperature logs available for TCS food items. Wiping cloths were improperly used and stored on the prep table and shelving. The chlorine sanitizer solution used to sanitize food contact surfaces failed to meet required parameters. Ready-to-eat TCS food held within the establishment had no date marking indicators.
Result: Closure; conditional approved
Piatanzi, 1403 Girard NE (May 7)
The facility did not provide a designated area for employees to eat, drink or use tobacco products. The facility did not provide lockers or other suitable facilities for the storage of employee clothing or personal belongings. Working containers of food, specifically a bucket of unknown spices and a container of flour, were not labeled with the common food name after being removed from their original packaging. A food employee was observed washing hands in a sanitizer bucket instead of a handwashing sink. The facility did not have an approved method of hand drying at the handwashing sink. Nonfood contact surfaces inside the walk-in cooler, kitchen, and back prep areas had debris buildup on the exterior of reach-in coolers, freezers, ovens, walk-in cooler vent covers, ticket machine, piping behind cooking equipment, can opener and holder, paper towel equipment, and electrical boxes. Food employees were observed without proper hair restraints. There was buildup and debris on the ceiling, walls and ceiling vent covers throughout the dishwashing area, cooking area and back prep area. The back screen door in the dishwashing area was in disrepair, having a gap at the bottom. There was an inadequate air gap at the three-compartment sink. The food establishment did not have a certified food protection manager on staff. Ready-to-eat time/temperature controlled for safety food items (ricotta cheese, cooked chicken, pancetta) in the kitchen and walk-in cooler areas had no date marking indicators.
Result: Unsatisfactory; re-inspection required
Cafe Chill, 903 10th SW (May 9)
The facility did not provide lockers or other suitable facilities for the storage of employee clothing or personal belongings. Working containers holding Oreo cooking crumbles and crushed peanuts removed from original packaging were not identified with the common name. An inadequate air gap was observed at the floor drain near the hand-wash station. There was no testing kit or device to measure the concentration of chemical sanitizing solution. The facility had insufficient cold-holding equipment to properly hold food cold due to a tripped GFI. Food items in the prep top cooler were measuring above 41 degrees (Sliced tomatoes 57 degrees and sliced pickles 57 degrees). The facility was in operation without any sanitizer solution available. Ready-to-eat food held within the establishment had no date marking indicators.
Result: Unsatisfactory; conditionally approved
Matunda Cafe, 903 10th SW (May 9)
Working containers holding food removed from original packaging — specifically plastic condiment bottles containing chocolate, caramel, and strawberry syrups — were not identified with the common name of the food. There was no approved method of hand drying at the handwashing sink in the dry storage area. Handwashing signs were missing at the handwashing station in dry storage. A floor drain under the ice machine was found in disrepair with substantial debris and buildup. Food items in the reach-in cooler were measuring above 41 degrees, including cut watermelon at 45 degrees and cut pineapple at 47 degrees. Sanitizer solution in the wiping cloth container was testing at 0 PPM.
Result: Closure; passed follow-up inspection
Cottonwood Cafe, 903 10th SW (May 9)
Poisonous or toxic materials were stored in a manner that could contaminate single-service items. The handwashing sink hot water was not available. The interior intake and exhaust air ducts had debris buildup. Filters or grease extracting equipment were improperly designed or constructed to be easily cleanable. TCS food was not hot held at 135 degrees or above, including Alfredo sauce (51 degrees), chicken tender (126 degrees), green chile (128 degrees) and baked ziti (61 degrees). Bulk food available for consumer self-dispensing was missing necessary labeling. An employee wearing unapproved jewelry while preparing food. Single-service or single-use articles stored outside of the original packaging and not stored in a manner to prevent contamination. The can opener blade and guard, a food-contact surface, were soiled with food residue and debris.
Result: Closure; conditionally approved
Subway, 5400 San Mateo NE (May 5)
An unlabeled working container for poisonous or toxic materials was observed. Handwashing signs were missing at the station near the meat slicer. Nonfood contact surface with the buildup of soil residues. A floor drain was found in disrepair because the strainer was not in place. The food establishment does not have a certified food protection manager on staff. Food items in the walk-in cooler were measuring above 41 degrees. This violation was corrected on site by the PIC discarding the food items. The facility was operating without any sanitizer available. The meat/deli slicer, a food-contact surface, was not being cleaned and sanitized in between uses.
Result: Unsatisfactory; re-inspection required
