The Inspection Services Department carries out the general health & safety inspections of occupancies requiring a health permit within the jurisdiction of the City of Nacogdoches. The primary function of the Health Inspector is the interpretation, inspection and field compliance efforts of the technical codes and laws. These codes and laws are Federal, State and Local. In addition the Health Inspector with support from the Inspection Services Department carries out the responsibility of data entry, account billing and record keeping.
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Recent Health Inspections Reveal Minor Violations at Nacogdoches Food Establishments
Nacogdoches, Texas – Local health inspectors have released the latest round of inspection reports for various restaurants, cafeterias, and food trucks in the Nacogdoches area, highlighting a range of minor infractions primarily related to sanitation, equipment maintenance, and storage practices. While no major closures were reported, several businesses received demerits for issues that were often corrected on-site, underscoring ongoing efforts to maintain food safety standards in the community.
The inspections, conducted by the Nacogdoches County Health Department, cover a mix of established venues and mobile food operations. Demerit scores reflect the severity and number of violations found, with lower scores indicating better compliance. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:
Taqueria Los Potros (2216 South 3 Street) – 8 Demerits
Inspectors noted several areas needing attention at this Mexican eatery. Violations included improper covering and protection of foods in coolers, the absence of accurate and visible thermometers in coolers and freezers, inadequate labeling for self-serve bread, and physical damage to floor areas along with a need for weatherproofing the front door. Management was advised to address these to prevent potential contamination risks.
Dutch Bros Coffee (1514 North Street) – 2 Demerits
The popular coffee chain received a low demerit score after inspectors discarded two expired milk products during the visit. The issue was corrected immediately on-site, ensuring no ongoing concerns.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop #215 (4909 North Street Suite 215) – 3 Demerits
This taco spot faced minor issues, including the disposal of a damaged spatula, the need to wipe down a sink, and securing a loose ceiling tile near the three-compartment sink. All violations were rectified during the inspection.
Wingstop #206 (4909 North Street Suite 206) – 2 Demerits
Inspectors at the chicken wing restaurant emphasized proper storage of scoops and the cleaning of northeast ceiling vents. Both items were corrected on-site, keeping the demerit count low.
Pineywoods Learning Academy (211 Kingwoods Street) – 4 Demerits
The academy’s food service area required several plug caps to be installed (corrected on-site), accurate visible thermometers for all refrigerators and freezers, replacement of water-damaged ceiling tiles, and cleaning of vents. These maintenance-focused violations highlight the need for regular upkeep in educational settings.
Morrison Healthcare Cafeteria at Nacogdoches Medical Center (4920 Northeast Stallings Drive) – 1 Demerit
The hospital cafeteria earned just one demerit for needing to keep ice maker vents wiped down, clean, and sanitary. The correction was made immediately during the inspection.
Waffles East Austin with a Twist Food Truck (141 East Austin) – 2 Demerits
This mobile vendor was cited for not having paper towels readily available next to the handwash sink, which was corrected on-site. The commissary was found compliant, and all paperwork, log books, and receipts were current.
Avila’s Venezuelan Food Truck (141 East Austin) – 7 Demerits
Among the higher scores, this food truck needed use-by dates on products, test strips for sanitizers, an empty handwash sink, and paper towels provided next to it. The commissary was compliant with all documentation in order.
Takeria El Keke As Food Truck (109 East College Street) – 2 Demerits
Inspectors noted the need for paper towels at the handwash sink, which was addressed on-site. The commissary and paperwork were fully compliant.
Be Blessed BBQ Food Truck (4810 North Street, Wal-Mart Supercenter Parking Lot) – 2 Demerits
The barbecue truck was reminded to keep the handwash sink access unimpeded and empty, with the violation corrected during the visit.
Blessed Star Tacos and North Food Truck (East Starr University Drive) – 2 Demerits
Similar to other trucks, this operation needed to keep the handwash sink empty, which was fixed on-site. Commissary and records were compliant.
Emilio’s Taqueria Mexicana Food Truck (1316 South Street Property) – 9 Demerits
Receiving the highest demerit score in this batch, the truck had issues including a missing proper backflow preventer, lack of accurate visible thermometers for refrigerators and freezers, unclean bases of coolers and freezers, missing paper towels at the handwash sink, and improper storage of ice scoops.
Fredonia Smokery Brewery House Property Food Truck (Chambers Fredonia) – 3 Demerits
Violations here focused on providing paper towels at the handwash sink and ensuring proper hair restraints, both corrected on-site.
La Fresca de Michoacana Food Truck (2613 North Street) – 8 Demerits
The ice cream and snack truck needed test strips, accurate visible thermometers for refrigerators and freezers, an empty handwash sink (corrected on-site), and the disposal of one spatula (also corrected). The commissary was compliant, with all paperwork up to date.
Health officials emphasized that many of these violations are common in routine checks and do not necessarily indicate severe risks to public health. “Most issues were minor and resolved quickly, showing that operators are responsive to feedback,” said a department spokesperson. Residents are encouraged to review full reports on the county’s website for more details.
These inspections serve as a reminder of the importance of food safety protocols, especially for mobile vendors who face unique challenges like limited space. Local businesses are urged to stay vigilant with maintenance and hygiene to keep demerit scores low in future visits. For questions or to report concerns, contact the Nacogdoches County Health Department.
Inspection Report