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.

Health Inspections Roundup: Food Trucks Shine, Brick-and-Mortar Spots Face Challenges

🗓️ October 28, 2025
📍 Nacogdoches, TX

The latest round of health inspections across Nacogdoches County revealed a mix of spotless food trucks and struggling restaurants, with demerits ranging from minor maintenance issues to more serious sanitation concerns.

🚚 Food Trucks Lead with Clean Records

Mobile vendors dominated the top of the compliance list:

• Kona Ice Shaved Ice Truck and Chambers Smokehouse Food Truck both earned perfect scores with zero demerits. Inspectors noted full compliance with paperwork, log books, and commissary standards.
• Oma’s Wursthaus Food Truck received just 2 demerits for a missing freezer thermometer, with all other documentation in order.
• On the Road #126 logged 6 demerits, mostly for storage and sanitation issues, including improperly stored food and lack of paper towels at handwash stations.

🏫 Schools and Hospitals: Mostly Compliant

Institutional kitchens showed strong performance:

• Brooks-Quinn-Jones Elementary School Cafeteria had 2 demerits for blocked handwash sink access, which was corrected on site.
• Fredonia Early Childhood Learning Center received 3 demerits for flooring issues and handwash sink access.
• Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital Cafeteria earned just 1 demerit for a loose ceiling tile and uneven flooring.

🍔 Chain Restaurants: Mixed Results

• McDonald’s (University Drive) received 3 demerits for paper towel access and minor structural issues.
• Subway (North Street) had 5 demerits, including missing anti-siphon valves and unsecured ceiling tiles.
• KFC (North Street) was cited for 7 demerits, including damaged surfaces, lack of soap, and outdoor sanitation concerns.

🌮 Local Favorites Under Scrutiny

• D’ Gorditas (University Drive) received 8 demerits, including expired milk, missing use-by dates, and water-damaged ceiling tiles.
• MI Fondita (South Street) was cited for 10 demerits, including cleaning solution storage, handwash sink misuse, and debris near exits.
• Guacamole’s (North Street) had the highest count with 20 demerits across two pages, ranging from food storage violations to damaged infrastructure and sanitation lapses.

☕ Small Shops and Cafés

• Timber Creek Coffee Company earned 1 demerit for cleaning issues around the milk cooler.
• Rebellion Pizza (North Mound) stood out with a perfect score and zero demerits.

🧼 Inspectors emphasized the importance of maintaining clean, accessible handwash stations, proper food labeling, and structural upkeep. While mobile vendors continue to impress, several brick-and-mortar establishments may need to address recurring issues to meet health standards.

Inspection Report