The Department of Environmental Health and Quality in San Diego recently conducted a routine health inspection across a number of restaurants in the county on April 22. It was observed that two restaurants had issues with food safety compliance. Due to these circumstances, both restaurants were ordered closed until follow-up inspections were held.
Please note that the results mentioned here are from particular inspections conducted on April 22 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishments.
Highlights
- On April 22, 2025, two restaurants in San Diego County were temporarily shut due to non-compliance with food health and safety guidelines.
- Some issues recorded included a lack of cleanliness, pest infestation, and a lack of a robust food-holding temperature process.
- Both restaurants will likely undergo another round of inspections before they are allowed to reopen.
Pho Fifth Avenue Temporarily Shut
Pho Fifth Avenue is a Vietnamese Restaurant in San Diego, California (Source: Google Reviews)
- Where: 3807 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103-3140
- When: April 22, 2025
Pho Fifth Avenue was cited for multiple violations. These included significant cleanliness issues and pest infestations.
Furthermore, certain food safety processes were also found not to be in compliance with health department guidelines, leading to the immediate closure of the facility.
Violations found at Pho Fifth Avenue
The violations observed at Pho Fifth Avenue in San Diego included vermin infestations. Pests like rodents and insects were found on the premises.
The facility had gaps and openings that allowed pests to enter and breed. This is a major violation. Therefore, the staff was asked to take appropriate action to eliminate these pests since they can eventually pose serious health hazards.
Certain food contact surfaces, such as cutting boards and food prep areas, as well as culinary equipment, such as prep knives and tables, were unclean during the inspection. The checks also revealed some plumbing issues that needed to be addressed since occurrences of improper drainage, leaks, and clogs can create unsanitary conditions within the premises.
Certain food items were not stored properly at the correct hot and cold temperatures. Non-food surfaces like shelves, walls, and floors were unclean. The staff was instructed to address these issues as soon as possible and ensure ample cleanliness as well as appropriate temperature maintenance across the kitchen storage.
Nico’s Mexican Food Ordered Closed
Nico’s Mexican Food restaurant was also observed not to be maintaining food safety standards (Source: Google Reviews)
- Where: 4918 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
- When: April 22, 2025
The inspection at Nico’s Mexican Food in San Diego revealed a host of major health code violations. Some of these included pest control and unsafe temperature control practices, as well as improper handling of kitchen tools. As a precautionary measure, the restaurant was shut down until further notice.
Violations at Nico’s Mexican Food
At Nico’s Mexican Food, one of the health code violations observed was an improper cooling process for foodstuffs. Certain food items were not being cooled down quickly or safely enough. This could lead to bacterial growth. The team was advised to use the appropriate cooling methods to cook and store all consumables to avoid spoilage.
Certain vermin, rodents, and insects were also observed on the premises, making the conditions within the facility unhygienic and, therefore, unfit for service. Kitchen equipment and utensils were also not being stored in a hygienic manner, risking cross-contamination. The team at Nico’s Mexican Food was advised to address these issues as soon as possible and ensure cleaner premises.
Both Pho Fifth Avenue and Nico’s Mexican Food remain temporarily closed as a result of the violations observed during the April 22 inspections. Health officials are expected to conduct follow-up visits to ensure all corrective actions have been taken before either establishment can resume operations.
