Two San Diego Restaurants Scores Low in Health Inspection

The Department of Environmental Health and Quality of the County of San Diego conducted a health inspection in San Diego on March 21. Two restaurants did not receive satisfactory scores. The outlet operations were not in compliance with expected standards, which led to failure in the inspection.

Please note that the results mentioned here are from a particular inspection conducted on March 21 and may not represent the current health inspection status of the establishments.

Highlights

• A Thai food outlet and a pizzeria did not demonstrate a satisfactory level of regulatory compliance, leading to health inspection failure.
• Violations like Vermin and problems with food safety certification were found at the outlets.
• Some time is given to food establishments to fix these issues, as they are scheduled for re-inspection after some time.

Lemon Grove Thai Food

• Where: 7975 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
• Date: March 21, 2025

Lemon Grove Thai Food was not assigned a score due to the violations found at the outlet on Friday. The presence of vermin was a major violation in the current inspection. Earlier, in an assessment done on March 19, vermin was a major violation, along with two minor and three out-of-compliance findings.

At that time, the restaurant was also ordered closed and scheduled for a routine inspection. Now, when it was conducted on Friday, other issues were resolved except the vermin. Active infestation by rodents or vectors that are disease carriers was found. It resulted in the contamination of food contact surfaces or adulteration of foods and warranted an immediate closure.

As per the requirements, a food facility shall be constructed, equipped, maintained, and operated to prevent entrance and harborage of animals, birds, and vermin. Officials have asked the employees at the premises to keep it clean and free of vermin. Food employees are not allowed to care for or handle animals or pets. Live animals are strictly prohibited except when necessary.

San Remo Pizzeria

• Where: 625 6TH Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
• Date: March 21, 2025

One major and one minor violation of food safety regulations led to an unsatisfactory result for San Remo Pizzeria. The inspection found lapses in regulatory compliance by the food business operators. The food safety manager’s certification was found expired during the inspection.

Though this food safety certification was a minor violation, it could lead to an imminent health hazard in the future. A certified owner or employee must pass an approved food safety certification examination within 60 days of employment or certificate expiration to handle operations. Certified individuals need to be recertified every five years.

Officials have conveyed that all food employees shall have adequate knowledge of and be trained in food safety.

One major violation, that is, the presence of rodents, insects, or birds was found inside the premises. It could lead to a high risk of diseases. Therefore, the entrance and harborage of animals, birds, and vermin have to be prevented.

Ensuring a clean and vermin-free environment, along with adherence to food safety regulations, is necessary for compliance.

Follow-Up Inspections Scheduled

The two restaurants mentioned above did not receive any score and are ordered closed until further notice. Lemon Grove Thai Food is scheduled for re-inspection, and San Remo Pizzeria is scheduled for routine inspections. If, on the next visit by officials, the restaurants qualify for a needed score, they will be allowed to operate again.

The periodic health inspections conducted on food establishments serving masses are an important way to regulate public health and hygiene. These inspections help ensure food establishments maintain hygiene standards, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.