Behind the Kitchen Door: Rodent infestations result in temporary closures of 2 restaurants

Health inspectors found rodent droppings at both of the restaurants

SAN ANTONIO – The health department recently suspended the licenses of two restaurants due to rodent infestations.

Both of the businesses were back up and operating when KSAT Investigates reporter Tim Gerber stopped by this week to find out if they had made the required corrections.

Yaya’s Thai Restaurant

Yaya’s Thai Restaurant in the 5300 block of McCullough Avenue had its license temporarily suspended following an inspection in late November that earned them a 76.

The inspector found “rodent droppings on plates” and other signs of “live rodent activity” in the business.

The restaurant was not allowed to re-open until it removed the rodent droppings and the areas were cleaned and sanitized.

Employee Sam Ngamdee said the business was closed for a day and a half to thoroughly clean the establishment before being allowed to re-open.

Ngamdee said he hasn’t seen any rodents since he started working there. He also said the business was in the process of hiring a professional pest control company and waiting for a re-inspection.

They hope customers give them a second chance.

“We just want them to know that they’re in good hands and that we just want to make sure our food quality is coming up at its best in the most safe and cleanest environment,” Ngamdee said.

La Cabana De Jalisco

La Cabana De Jalisco also had its license suspended in late November due to a rodent problem, earning them a score of 73.

There were rodent droppings found in dry rice storage, so the food was condemned. More rodent droppings were found throughout the business.

The ice machine had black and red mold-like sludge inside and stored knives still had food debris on them.

Tortillas were found wrapped in a cloth rag and an employee was seen handling more tortillas with their bare hands.

Employee Bryan Ramirez explained they shut down for two days and thoroughly cleaned the family-owned business.

“We had like 10 family members come here, clean everything and take everything outside, and scrubbed down everything,” Ramirez said.

He said they have dealt with the rodent problem and corrected the other violations. He hopes customers remember the high scores they’ve had in the past.

“We do our best, we do what we can so when that happened we were like, ‘we have to clean up’ and so we did,” Ramirez said. “It’s just one of those things that happen.

Other scores:
100

Tacos El Guero Loko #4

427 Lombrano St

San Antonio, TX 78207

Colt 45 Bar

11056 Applewhite Rd

San Antonio, TX 78224

Whataburger #1173

7023 HWY 90 W

San Antonio, TX 78227

The Guenther House

205 E Guenther St

San Antonio, TX 78204

Taco Cabana

9719 Poteet Jourdanton Freeway

San Antonio, TX 78211

Shinko Hibachi & Boba Tea

7531 Bandera Rd

San Antonio, TX 78238

Raising Cane’s #476

11703 Bandera Rd

San Antonio, TX 78254

McDonald’s # 3447

9600 IH 10 W

San Antonio, TX 78229

La Cazadora Mexican Restaurant

3213 West Ave

San Antonio, TX 782134537

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

17803 La Cantera Terrace Suite #8110

San Antonio, TX 78256

90

Wasabi

9921 IH 10 W

San Antonio, TX 78230

La Torre Jalisco

9511 Poteet Jourdanton Freeway

San Antonio, TX 782240

Abuelas Mexican Restaurant

2313 NW Military HWY

San Antonio, TX 78231

Panera Bread #6328

1203 N FM 1604 W

San Antonio, TX 78258

El Amigo Snack

6338 Old Pearsall Road

San Antonio, TX 78242

Guadalajara Grill

301 S Alamo St

San Antonio, TX 78205

Wingstop # 1530

1739 SW Loop 410

San Antonio, TX 78227

Bill Miller Bar-B-Q #57

8888 SW Loop 410

San Antonio, TX 78242

Pizza Hut

11725 West Ave

San Antonio, TX 78216

Bush’s Chicken

8831 Potranco Rd

San Antonio, TX 78251


Want to know who has good scores and who doesn’t? KSAT 12 has a new tool for that.

Just click this link, and it will take you to a new mapping tool we have showing the recent scores for San Antonio food businesses.

The reports go back six months and are frequently updated.

You can catch Tim’s BKD reports Thursday’s on the Nightbeat.

ALSO ON KSAT.COM

Watch other Behind the Kitchen Door stories here


About the Authors

Dale Keller is senior news photographer at KSAT-12.

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