Ceviche so good you have to say it twice, check out this week's Top Performer

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In this week’s Food 4 Thought, the Food Patrol visits a Top Performer whose ceviche is so good you have to say it twice. Don't believe us? Check out the name of their restaurant!

Here’s what is que rico and what’s que asco in this week’s Food 4 Thought!

There is nothing fishy about this week’s Top Performer, if you are a fan of fish, this one is for you. If you are not, don’t worry, they’ve got you covered.

We surprised the crew at Ceviche Ceviche located at 2010 South 77 Sunshine Strip in Harlingen.
They got a perfect score on its June 10 health inspection report, making them this week’s Top Performer.

Just walking in, we can already see their commitment to keeping it clean.

The Manager-on-duty Abigail De La Rosa is sanitizing tables after a dinner rush because she knows, whether it is the Food Patrol or an inspector, food safety is the top priority.

“My boss has trained me from like day one to make sure everything’s clean and my mindset is always, make sure to have everything as clean as like you want it when the health inspectors are here,” said De La Rosa.

She expressed she felt proud when receiving this week’s Top Performer and sent a picture of the moment to her bosses who she thanks for making her a better person.

“They’ve made me basically who I’ve become. I could not communicate with people before I started working here, like it was so hard to socialize so they kind of push me to do that, and then just like kindness to take care of others around me,” she said.

De La Rosa had a message for her bosses that she shared with the Food Patrol.

“Alana. She’s a hardcore boss woman. Like, she gets stuff done. Carlos. He’s, like, the fixer-upper, like he does everything. He’s our dad. Basically, that’s what I say, and then Bianca, she’s just very, just gives love all around that’s awesome.”

That’s que rico, but it’s que asco time!

It is a restaurant we have featured before and last time the manager gave us a handshake deal to keep it clean last May.

This time, we came back with the health inspector’s pictures of filth, dripping AC vents and roaches.

The Food Patrol is heading to Taqueria Don Felipe #2 at 220 West Main Ave. in Alton and if it sounds familiar, it’s because the Food Patrol has visited before.

In late April 2023, we asked them about the Feb. 22 health inspection report.

Raul Vega, showed us the kitchen and admitted the cross contamination was an ongoing problem and the refrigerator seals were busted.

Raul agreed to follow the Food Patrol’s mission of keeping it clean and fixing everything. Little did we know, the handshake deal had an expiration date.

We came back with two Hidalgo County health inspection reports from June 26 and June 28.

The June 26 inspection had 19 violations and the inspector’s photos captured the filth.

• No hot water to properly wash dishes
• The fridge has a busted seal again similar to the April 2023 visit
• The AC is busted leaving customers sitting in heat
• It is so hot the condensation from the AC vents is dripping onto the floor
• Roaches were seen in the kitchen

The inspector shut them down immediately.

On June 28, the inspector found 9 violations and wrote “gloves must be changed when coming from the restroom.” Let that sink in.

The AC is still busted but because they fixed the hot water issue, Don Felipe #2 was allowed to re-open.

We stopped in to see why Vega did not honor the handshake deal, but in less than 23 seconds an employee said Vega was not there and ordered us to leave the property.

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