Ants, dust land tortilla factory with dozens of violations

DONNA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In this week’s Food 4 Thought, the Food Patrol is heading to a tortilla factory in Hidalgo County that has multiple violations.

But first, we're celebrating the success of a new Top Performer opening a new location.

The Food Patrol surprised the team at Ramses Tacos & Tequila with a Top Performer sticker.

In a rare situation, we didn’t put the sticker on the door, because Ramses 2230 South 77 Sunshine Strip in Harlingen location is going through a revamp.

They’re holding on to it for the re-opening.

The same week we surprised them, they launched their new Primera location.

We surprised general manager, Araceli Chavez again but we’re the ones being surprised with Ramses's new sophisticated and sleek redesign.

“It has been very successful in the last four years Ramses, even we even had regulars that live on that side of town that have already becoming like we miss Ramses, we like the old one, but this is a lot better. It's a good upgrade.”

The decor and the drinks are very demure, very mindful, very cutesy and very que rico.

But it’s que asco time!

The Food Patrol is heading to Garcia’s Tortilla Factory at 12203 North FM 493 in Donna which has back-to-back Hidalgo County Health inspections.

On June 25 the inspector found 23 violations such as:

• The sewage drain was overflowing
• Their permit had expired
• They needed to close off areas to prevent contamination
• All equipment “not in use” must be removed

The next day, June 26, 12 violations were reported:

• The sink is still not draining
• The equipment they were ordered to remove was still there and Garcia’s was ordered to clean up and get rid of the dust

Both inspection reports showed no certified food manager was on duty and food wasn’t labeled, dated or in proper containers.

The Food Patrol showed up 50 days after the June 26 inspection only to catch the same violations happening again.

• A bowl of frijoles next to tongs for the pan dulce
• Items were covered in dust
• Labels were missing
• Ants were crawling on my hand

Ants crawled around on the counter, chowing down on the snacks that melted in the heat.

Flies were also coming in from the open windows and landing anywhere and everywhere.

The only employee on duty didn’t know if any equipment had been thrown out since June as the inspector told them to do.

The polite employee, tried several times, to call owner Edith Garcia.

After about 5 minutes of trying the owners invited us to come back, but have yet to get a call to set up a re-visit.

You’re part of the Food Patrol! When you see dirty habits, please send us photos/videos and a copy of the complaint you filed to your local health department to News@KVEO.COM