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Health inspectors find ‘several’ cockroaches in Modesto restaurant’s kitchen

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Stanislaus County health inspectors observed “several” dead cockroaches in a Modesto restaurant’s kitchen, including in a refrigerator, during inspections conducted in late January.

The majority of the 2,400 permitted food service establishments in the county get two unannounced routine food safety inspections per year, according to the Department of Environmental Resources. The website says inspection reports are scanned weekly.

Food trucks that operate under a Stanislaus County Health Department permit also are inspected by the county, though those are scheduled and done at the department’s office.

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Of the 84 restaurant inspection reports sent to The Modesto Bee on Tuesday, one was not updated on the site as of Tuesday afternoon.

Cockroaches among major violations

Violations were found during routine inspections of the following Stanislaus County food facilities during the week of Jan. 19-Feb. 1. Only the dates of violations are listed.

The details of the reports do not indicate whether a restaurant passed or failed inspection. Corrective actions may have been made by the business by the time of publication.

The reports are linked. For updates on individual restaurants, search the DER website.

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Stop N Save, 2549 Yosemite Blvd., Suite A, in Modesto, had three violations on Jan. 20. In the back room, the floor had an accumulation of syrup due to a leaking box and the floor sink had grime buildup. The facility lacked a valid Stanislaus County Environmental Health permit.

Tequileros Taqueria, 4925 Sisk Road, Suite J, in Salida, had three violations on Jan. 23. The internal temperature of cooked shrimp in a refrigerator was 70 degrees (must be 41 degrees or lower). Per operator, these were cooked the day of the inspection then placed in the refrigerated drawers after sitting a moment. The internal temperature of cut sausages was 46 to 49 degrees. The internal temperature of fish was 50 degrees. Grime had accumulated on the interior surface of the ice machine. The ice scoop was stored inside the bin. One employee’s food handler card was expired.

Two violations remained during a reinspection on Jan. 27.

Sidelines, 1000 Kansas Ave. in Modesto, had five violations on Jan. 26. Canned beverages were stored in ice that was used to make drinks. A container of frozen shrimp was in stagnant water (improper thawing method). There was buildup on the plastic shield inside the ice machine. There was insufficient water flow at one of the handwashing sinks. A food safety certificate was not available.

Carnitas Purepecha, 2430 Geer Road in Turlock, had three violations on Jan. 26 — one of them major. The prep fridge was measured at 44 degrees. Several cutting boards were soiled and had many grooves. The 2026 permit to operate was not posted for public view.

One violation remained during a reinspection on Jan. 29.

La Perla Tapatia, 7045 Hughson Ave. in Hughson, had seven violations on Jan. 27. The floor of the prep room had stain/grime buildup. The filters in the hood system had grease accumulation. There was stain accumulation on the interior surface of an ice machine. In a walk-in refrigerator in the meat department, large plastic containers had food stain buildup and shelving had grime and rust buildup. A hot food display unit held refried beans at 127 degree and large pieces of pork between 129 and 148 degrees (must be 135 degrees). The rear preparation area lacked a sanitizing container.

Filipino Corner, 1545 Tully Road, Suite 1, in Modesto, had six violations on Jan. 28. A display of turon (a Filipino dessert) was exposed to the environment. There were open bags of sugar and salt. There were gaps at the walls, sink and fiberglass reinforced plastic panels. The dishwasher lacked sanitizer and the sanitizer bucket lacked proper sanitizer levels. The fan cover was not secured in the two-door freezer.

Pho O’Clock, 1401 Coffee Road, Suites C-D, in Modesto, had eight violations during an inspection on Jan. 28, which was the result of a complaint. Three of the violations were major. The complaint alleged that there were live cockroaches in the facility. Inspectors did not observe live cockroaches, but several dead ones were observed throughout the walk-in refrigerator, mop sink closet and kitchen area.

Raw beef was stored atop sauces and next to raw vegetables in the prep fridge. One of the basins of the three-compartment sink leaked a significant amount of water when used. The prep sink lacked hot water, and the water was not discharged into an indirect connection/air-gap. Several cooking surfaces and touchpoints were soiled with black accumulation. The baffle blades of the mechanical exhaust ventilation hood were soiled with grease and some blades were lacking. One of the bathrooms lacked paper towels and had a malfunctioning hand air dryer. One employees’ food handler card was expired.

Three violations remained during a reinspection on Jan. 30. No pests or vermin were observed.

Fuzio Universal Bistro, 1020 10th St., Suite 100, in Modesto, had three violations on Jan. 29. The ice scoop was stored on top of ice, grout was deteriorated under the cook line and there was buildup under shelving at the cook line.

Other food facilities with three or more, or major, violations at the time of their inspections were:

Minor violations

According to Stanislaus County, food facilities that had one or two violations, none of them major, are:

No violations

These food facilities had no violations, according to the county:

This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 6:00 AM.

Profile Image of Dominique Williams
Dominique Williams
The Modesto Bee
209-253-9007
Dominique Williams writes about new business, restaurant and retail developments for The Modesto Bee. She is a Ripon native and a graduate of Sacramento State.
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