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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Nacogdoches Health Inspections: High Marks for Schools, Several Restaurants Flagged for Violations

A series of routine health inspections across Nacogdoches resulted in mixed outcomes, with several restaurants and convenience stores cited for sanitation, labeling, and equipment issues, while multiple school cafeterias and mobile vendors earned perfect scores.

Highest Demerits Issued

Two businesses received the week’s highest counts:

• Woden Road Food Mart — 17 demerits Inspectors cited missing use-by dates, open dumpster lids, scattered trash, damaged ceiling tiles, cluttered storage areas, improperly stored paint, lack of a proper three-compartment sink, and missing thermometers. Several prepackaged food items were discarded on-site. “NEED ACCURATE VISIBLE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS,” the report noted.
• K Mini Mart #4 — 16 demerits Violations included unlabeled spray bottles, discarded expired prepackaged foods, damaged floors and walls, cluttered storage areas, missing soap at one bathroom, and improper scoop storage. “DISCARDED NUMEROUS PRE PACKAGED FOOD PRODUCTS—CORRECTED ON SITE,” inspectors wrote.
• Nini’s Fresh Donuts — 14 demerits Issues ranged from missing caps on cleaning solutions to unclean vents, lack of paper towels at handwashing sinks, and missing use-by dates on sliced meats.

Moderate Demerits

Several establishments fell in the mid-range:

• El Ranchero — 9 demerits Needed relabeled spray bottles, use-by dates, thermometers, and repairs to damaged walls and floors.
• Flashback Café — 6 demerits Violations included damaged ceiling tiles, unclean vents, and missing thermometers.
• 1st City Café (Fredonia Hotel) — 6 demerits Needed use-by dates on sliced meats and cleaning of cooler bases.
• Layne’s Chicken Fingers — 5 demerits Missing paper towels at a handwashing sink and a mislabeled spray bottle.
• KT’s Café — 4 demerits Needed test strips and proper utensil storage.
• McMichael Middle School Cafeteria — 3 demerits Two canned food items were discarded on-site, and grout repairs were needed.
• Revolution Road Pizza Food Truck — 2 demerits A handwashing sink was being used improperly but corrected during inspection.
• Donut Palace (University Drive) — 2 demerits Cited for unclean vents and old equipment needing removal.

Perfect Scores

Several facilities earned 0 demerits, achieving full compliance:

• Republic of Fredonia Steakhouse
• Margie Chumbley Cafeteria (NISD)
• Grump’s Shaved Ice (Walmart location)
• The Sweet Enchantment mobile drink truck
• Emeline Carpenter Elementary School Cafeteria
• Morrison Healthcare Cafeteria (Nacogdoches Medical Center)

All mobile units listed were also noted as having compliant commissaries and up-to-date paperwork.

Inspection Report