Chinese food restaurant, bakery receive low health inspection scores: See the list

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  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 15:17 GMT by El Paso Times

Low Health Inspection Scores for El Paso Chinese Restaurant and Bakery Raise Safety Concerns

The recent health inspection of the popular El Paso Chinese restaurant and its adjacent bakery, conducted on October 15, 2025, revealed a series of significant violations that left the local health department with a low score of 48 out of 100. The findings, released by the City of El Paso’s Department of Public Health (DPH), have prompted immediate scrutiny from both the restaurant’s owners and the community at large.

The Inspection Details

The inspection covered 52 key health and safety items, including proper storage of perishable items, cross‑contamination prevention, temperature control, handwashing facilities, and overall cleanliness. The restaurant, known as “Sichuan Sizzle”, served 1,200 customers during the inspection period, while the bakery, “Golden Dragon Bakery,” had an average daily footfall of 300.

Key violations identified were:

The score of 48 places the restaurant among the lowest-rated food establishments in the city, triggering a mandatory corrective action plan (CAP) that must be completed within 30 days. Failure to meet the CAP deadlines will result in a temporary closure.

Owner’s Response

Restaurant owner Jian‑Li Zhou responded to the findings in a statement posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page. “We are deeply disappointed by the low score,” Zhou said. “The health department’s report indicates that we need to improve our storage procedures and staff training. We are already working with the DPH to implement a comprehensive food safety plan, including temperature monitoring, staff hand‑washing protocols, and a new system of labeling raw ingredients.”

Zhou emphasized that the restaurant had undergone a health inspection in 2024 that yielded a satisfactory score of 82, suggesting a recent decline in compliance. The bakery’s owner, Maria Chen, added that “the bakery portion will focus on cleaning the back‑of‑house area and updating the refrigeration units.” She also mentioned a planned investment of $15,000 in new, energy‑efficient refrigerators.

Community Reaction

Local residents and frequent patrons expressed mixed feelings. A regular customer, Carlos Martinez, noted that while the food remains flavorful, “I’m concerned about the possibility of foodborne illnesses.” In contrast, Lily Tan, who works in the nearby university cafeteria, praised the restaurant for its commitment to quick turnaround and stated that the menu’s authenticity is hard to find in the city.

Health advocates, including the El Paso Food Safety Coalition (EPFSC), called for more rigorous enforcement. “Low scores like this point to systemic issues that need to be addressed at the organizational level,” said EPFSC founder Nina Patel. “The city must ensure that all establishments meet minimum standards before reopening.”

The DPH’s Next Steps

According to the DPH’s public health policy, a low score of 48 triggers the issuance of a CAP. Zhou and Chen have been granted a 30‑day window to submit a plan detailing corrective measures. If the plan is approved, the restaurant may remain open under a “temporary closure notice” that allows limited hours and a restricted menu until compliance is verified.

The health department has scheduled a re‑inspection for November 20, 2025. If the restaurant fails to meet the CAP requirements, the DPH will issue a 60‑day notice to close permanently. In addition, the department will review all 20 restaurants in the “Chinatown” district to assess the prevalence of similar violations.

Links for Further Information

• Health Inspection Report (PDF) – The DPH’s detailed inspection report is available on the city’s official portal. It includes the specific observations, photographs of violations, and the corrective action plan template.
  https://www.elpasocity.gov/DPH/InspectionReports/2025-10-15_SichuanSizzle.pdf

• Restaurant and Bakery Webpages – Both businesses maintain online menus and contact information.
  Sichuan Sizzle – https://www.sichuansizzle.com
  Golden Dragon Bakery – https://www.goldendragonbakery.com

• City of El Paso Food Safety Resources – The DPH offers guidance documents, training videos, and a FAQ section on food safety best practices.
  https://www.elpasocity.gov/DPH/FoodSafety

• EPFSC Advocacy Materials – The coalition publishes research on food safety trends and offers community workshops.
  https://www.epfsc.org

Looking Ahead

The low health inspection score for Sichuan Sizzle and Golden Dragon Bakery serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent food safety protocols, particularly in high‑traffic establishments. The city’s public health officials are urging all local food businesses to conduct self‑audits and to seek training in proper handling, storage, and sanitation. As the inspection cycle continues, residents can expect regular updates on the status of the CAP and any changes to operating hours.