Grocery store hit with 38 violations in 12 minutes

ALAMO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In this week's Food 4 Thought a meat market had the Food Patrol out the door before we were even in it.

First, a hard-working family already had a top-performing spirit even before we put the sticker on the door.

We visited Just Fresh at 1501 South H Street in Harlingen which had a perfect score on their March 4th Health Inspection Report.

The Food Patrol waited in line to surprise the team with a sticker because Just Fresh is popping!

The sticker is a seal of cleanliness, but to be a Top Performer, it is a mindset, an attitude, a mission.

Challenges will come that can make you or break you and owner Janie Leija is a fresh fighter.

“The biggest one COVID," said Leija. “I think for many businesses it's hard, very hard."

Leija began to get emotional when talking about the struggles her business had overcome.

“And I have a lot of local businesses that have helped us overcome a lot," said Leija.

The support from social media word of mouth is part of Leija's success.

The chatter of what’s on the menu comes from the heart, serving fresh takes on meals her mom made for her growing up with a twist for today’s palette.

“I'll deliver a plate and watch them and they're like wow that's good and I'm like yes that's good," said Leija.

Just Fresh isn't Just Fresh, it's a whole lot more than that, it's dedication, it's love and it's a commitment to keeping it clean.

That's que rico but it's que asco time!

The Food Patrol is heading to El Amigo Grocery Store at 1200 North Tower Road in Alamo.

They were inspected twice in 72 hours.

The first was by the Hidalgo County Health Department on March 4th and within 12 minutes the inspector found 38 violations.

Violations included cross-contamination, not having safe water and evidence of insect contamination.

The inspector returned on March 7th and looked for corrections, which they made.

El Amigo was hit with only 3 violations for not having clean surfaces, which is a big improvement.

We popped in to see if those improvements were sticking but before walking in we were stopped at the door by the manager’s mom.

“Let me check with my son," she said.

We spoke with manager Marlon and when asked if he wanted to discuss the past reports he declined.

He then asked the Food Patrol to leave the property.

A big congrats to Just Fresh as they are also expanding to a second location.

We will follow up with them at the grand opening.

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