2 Tarrant County restaurants closed in inspections; dozens of live roaches, flies found

Two Tarrant County restaurants were closed during May 21-27 inspections when the inspector found live roaches at one and food safety issues at the other, according to county data compiled by the Star-Telegram.

A1 Pho and Grill, located at 4228 E. Belknap St. in Haltom City, failed its inspection with 32 demerits on May 22. The inspector saw five or six dozen live roaches and house flies on food products, food equipment and in the storage area. Dirty cloths were stored on bean sprouts and a heavy mold-like formation was found on a cutting board and in the ice machine.

The restaurant was closed until the violations could be corrected. A1 Pho and Grill passed inspection the next day with a perfect score of zero and was given permission to re-open.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen located at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport received 27 demerits on May 22. Employees didn't discard cooked chicken that had been out too long, and the inspector saw a mold-like substance in the ice machine.

Both issues were repeat violations and the manager voluntarily closed the establishment until the corrections could be made. The establishment received 2 demerits on a follow-up inspection the next day.

Flies were also found Lisa's Chicken located at 5100 Broadway Ave. in Haltom City, and Chicken Express located at 8805 Clifford St. in White Settlement. Both passed inspection with 19 and 14 demerits respectively.

Sazon Dona Mary at 820 Kelley Drive in Everman passed a follow-up inspection with a perfect score after failing twice in the previous round of inspections. Asian King Buffet at 953 Melbourne Road in Hurst and Smallcakes Keller at 721 Keller Parkway also passed follow-up inspections.

Restaurants that receive more than 29 demerits require a follow-up inspection. Tarrant County Public Health inspects and scores all restaurants in Tarrant County except for those located in Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless and North Richland Hills, which do their own inspections.

Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants that Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) inspected for May 21st - May 27th, 2023. TCPH inspects and scores all restaurants in Tarrant County except for those located in Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless and North Richland Hills. Scores are based on a demerit system. When the total exceeds 29, a follow-up inspection is required. To search the restaurant inspections, type in a keyword or restaurant name. You can also sort by score.

Steve Wilson [email protected]