On Monday, April 21, Antojitos Tierra Caliente LLC, a Mexican restaurant in Dallas, was given a low health inspection rating after it failed to meet the state’s health and safety standards. In a routine inspection conducted by the Consumer Health Division, the premises were found to be completely unsuited to serving food to customers owing to a range of violations that have been outlined below.
Please note that the scores mentioned here are from a particular inspection conducted on April 21 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the establishments.
Highlights
- Antojitos Tierra Caliente LLC failed a routine health inspection on April 21, 2025.
- Post-inspection, the facility was given an unsatisfactory score of only 69.
- During the inspection, the premises were found to be unclean and in violation of several health codes.
Antojitos Tierra Caliente LLC Found Violating Health Code
The Mexican restaurant received a low score of 69 during the inspection (Source: Google Photos)
- Where: 3924 W Red Bird Ln, Dallas, TX 75237-2038
- When: April 21, 2025
- Score & Grade: 69
During the inspection, the present officials found that not only were the premises in severely bad shape, but the kitchen staff did not follow outlined kitchen procedures to ensure hygiene standards were met.
Raw and frozen foods were found to be stored inappropriately across the premises. Inspectors have warned the employees at the establishment and asked the team to take corrective action as soon as possible.
Inspection Findings at Antojitos Tierra Caliente LLC
Certain perishable foods were found without proper labeling indicating when they were made or opened, and when they should be discarded. Employees at Antojitos were asked to label perishables correctly with the date they were made or opened. Further, they were asked to throw the food out after seven days.
Raw food was found stored above ready-to-eat food, such as salads, in the cooler. The team at Antojitos was then asked to avoid such methods of storage to avoid contamination.
Furthermore, surfaces such as cutting boards and utensils seemed visibly unclean before storage and usage. Certain surfaces were also observed to be difficult to clean due to the use of foil lining and the formation of rust. The kitchen staff was advised to ensure that all food-contact surfaces were cleaned prior to usage and foil liners removed.
The rusty shelves were instructed to be replaced. A food worker was observed not following the proper handwashing procedure. Employees were asked to strictly follow all personal hygiene rules, like washing their hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Chemicals and personal items, such as a first aid kit, were not labeled clearly. Hence, the team was instructed to appropriately label all chemicals and store them away from consumables. The facility also lacked a written Vomit and Diarrhea cleanup plan. As a corrective action, they were asked to create an on-site cleanup procedure.
The front walk-in cooler on the premises did not have an operational thermometer. The team was advised to have the thermometer fixed or replaced in order to record the cooler’s temperature accurately. The back door of the facility was left open, allowing access for pests and insects. This door was advised to be kept closed, or the team could install a screen to block pests.
The sanitizers used to clean the premises were noted to not be strong enough to kill germs. The fix recommended for this non-compliance was to ensure appropriate mixing of cleaning products for better effectiveness.
The facility was also riddled with operational issues, such as the lack of a certified food safety manager and the failure to post their latest inspection report in a place visible to the customers. The team was advised that they hire or assign a certified food safety manager for the premises and have their latest inspection grade and score displayed in a place for patrons to see as per the inspection report posted online.
The premises of Antojitos Tierra Caliente LLC were inspected thoroughly and found to violate a range of health codes. The lighting and cleanliness of surfaces were also noted to be below par. The staff at the establishment was instructed that all corrective measures be enforced immediately. A follow-up inspection is likely to be scheduled soon.
