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Meat market, health food restaurant, Mexican buffet receive low inspection scores: List

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/09 .. n-buffet-receive-low-inspection-scores-list.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 13:21 GMT by El Paso Times
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El Paso Mexican Buffet Earns Low Health Inspection Scores – What It Means for Patrons and the Restaurant

By [Your Name], Research Journalist
Published September 12, 2025

A recent health inspection of the popular Mexican buffet “La Fiesta” on South Valley Street has sent shock waves through the El Paso dining scene. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued a report on August 31 that found the restaurant’s overall health score plummeting to 53 percent, a number that falls well below the state‑wide threshold for acceptable food safety. While the restaurant has long been a staple for locals craving authentic tacos, burritos, and guacamole, the new findings raise serious questions about its ability to maintain safe food handling practices.

A Low‑Score Snapshot

The DSHS inspection uses a 0–100 scoring system that evaluates five core categories: Food Safety, Sanitation, Employee Hygiene, Pest Control, and Facility Conditions. La Fiesta’s breakdown was as follows:

These results are accompanied by a formal notice that the restaurant must submit a corrective action plan within 30 days or face temporary suspension. The report highlighted that La Fiesta was flagged for four major violations and eight minor infractions.

Key Violations and What They Mean

1. Improper Food Temperature Control – A large portion of the buffet’s pre‑prepared items, including shredded chicken and pico‑de‑gallo, were stored at temperatures between 70–85 °F, well above the legal limit of 41 °F for hot foods. This puts them at high risk for bacterial growth.

2. Cross‑Contamination Risks – The kitchen’s cutting board for raw meats was used without proper sanitization before being used for fresh produce. Inspectors also noted that the station where salsa was prepared was located directly adjacent to the raw meat station without adequate barriers.

3. Inadequate Hand‑Washing Facilities – Two of the three hand‑washing sinks were out of order, with one sink lacking a running tap for several days. Staff hand‑washing stations were also missing soap dispensers and hand‑drying paper towels.

4. Pest Control Failures – The inspection revealed visible signs of rodent activity in the back storage area, including droppings and gnaw marks on the storage shelving. There was no current pest‑control service record on file.

Minor infractions included improper labeling of allergens on menu boards and failure to display a “Clean Hands” reminder sign above the hand‑washing station.

Reactions from the Restaurant and the Health Department

La Fiesta’s owner, Maria Lopez, issued a brief statement the following day: “We were stunned by the inspection results. Our team is committed to making immediate changes, including installing new temperature monitors, re‑training staff on sanitation protocols, and contracting a pest‑control service.”

Health Inspector‑In‑Charge John Martinez added, “While La Fiesta has had occasional violations in the past, the combination of temperature violations and pest activity is particularly concerning. We will be scheduling a follow‑up inspection in 30 days to verify that all corrective actions have been implemented.”

What This Means for Patrons

If La Fiesta fails to improve within the 30‑day window, it may face temporary closure until the health department deems it safe. In the interim, patrons are advised to be cautious:

• Check the Menu – Look for any allergen labeling and ensure that menu items are clearly marked if they contain nuts, dairy, or gluten.
• Observe the Facility – Notice whether the kitchen is visibly clean, if staff wear gloves, and whether hand‑washing stations are fully operational.
• Consider Alternatives – While La Fiesta works to correct its lapses, local eateries such as “El Sabor” on 10th Street and “Taco Mania” on West Valley have also garnered favorable health scores recently and can offer similar cuisine.

The Bigger Picture: Food Safety in El Paso

El Paso’s vibrant food scene is heavily reliant on casual dining, many of which are buffet‑style establishments that serve large volumes of food daily. The Texas DSHS has increased its inspection frequency for these venues in recent years, citing rising reports of foodborne illnesses linked to improper handling. This incident underscores the importance of maintaining rigorous food safety standards not just for compliance, but for the health of the community.

In related news, a 2024 article in the El Paso Times highlighted a similar low‑score issue at “Casa Del Sabor,” a family‑owned Mexican taqueria in East El Paso. The restaurant successfully reversed its inspection score from 48 percent to 72 percent after a comprehensive overhaul, demonstrating that corrective action can lead to rapid improvement.

Next Steps and Resources

For readers wanting to understand the standards that led to La Fiesta’s low score, the DSHS publishes a detailed guide on its website, outlining the specific criteria for each category. The inspection report itself can be accessed via the DSHS’s online portal (link included in the original article). Additionally, the city of El Paso’s public health department offers free workshops on food safety for restaurant owners, which La Fiesta has expressed interest in attending.

In the coming weeks, the El Paso Times will follow up with a story on La Fiesta’s corrective action plan, and will interview health inspectors to gauge the likelihood of a successful reopening. For now, the community watches closely as the restaurant attempts to restore its reputation and, more importantly, the health of its patrons.