From Feb. 1 through Feb. 11, Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District inspectors found toxic chemicals stored improperly, gnats and other health violations at restaurants.
Out of more than 90 businesses inspected, six scored below a 90, and 38 received perfect scores. Out of the first 11 days of February, Agave Jalisco on Ayers Street scored the lowest with a 79.
The health district describes a food establishment as a place that sells or serves food to the public. These establishments, which can include bars, hotels, apartments, schools and food trucks, must get an annual permit and be inspected by the health district.
Inspections are based on a demerit system in accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services. The inspection report checks for 47 different violations.
Here’s how businesses scored from Feb. 1 through Feb. 11:
Agave Jalisco Mexican Restaurant
2001 Ayers St.
The restaurant was inspected Feb. 10 and received a 79. Inspectors found meat stored on the floor, meat not being cooled down properly, toxic chemicals stored in a food prep area, no manager present during inspection, employees without food handlers permits, food not dated, food not labeled, dirty floors, dirty walls, wet towels not stored in sanitizer solution when not in use and pest control needed.
Agave Jalisco was last inspected in October 2025 and scored a 95.
El Potro Restaurant
6085 Weber Road
The restaurant was inspected Feb. 10 and received an 88. Inspectors found food not covered in coolers, food stored on the floor, toxic chemicals stored improperly, a dirty prep area, food not dated, food not labeled, utensils stored in between equipment and gnats.
El Potro was last inspected in September 2025 and scored a 93.
Hermanos Solis Restaurant No. 3
5409 Leopard St.
The restaurant was inspected Feb. 6 and received an 88. Inspectors found food not covered in coolers and freezers, food not labeled, food not dated, dirty food-contact surfaces and food cooled down improperly.
Hermanos Solis was last inspected in November 2025 and scored an 86.
New China Cafe
4110 S. Port Ave.
The restaurant was inspected Feb. 6 and received an 86. Inspectors found employees not washing hands before handling ready-to-eat foods, a dirty walk-in cooler, a dirty walk-in freezer, a dirty ice machine, food not dated, personal drinks without lids and straws, dirty walls, a dirty oven and sinks not cleaned before meats were prepped.
New China Cafe was last inspected in October 2025 and scored a 91.
QC Meat Market
3002 S. Port Ave.
The meat market was inspected Feb. 3 and received an 87. Inspectors found food not dated, food not labeled, toxic chemicals stored improperly, no manager present during inspection, no food production manager certificate, employees without food handlers permits and utensils being used improperly.
QC Meat Market was last inspected in November 2025 and scored a 92.
The Texan
3628 S. Staples St.
The bar was inspected Feb. 11 and received an 86. Inspectors found food not labeled, toxic chemicals stored improperly, a dirty oven, a dirty ice machine, no threshold on a door, a dirty nozzle holder, improper storage of an ice scooper and no thermometers inside coolers.
The Texan was last inspected in August 2025 and scored a 98.
Perfect scores (100)
John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Have a story idea? Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Nueces County restaurant scores for Feb. 1 to Feb. 11
Reporting by John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
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