The latest restaurant food scores published by the Consumer Health Division of the City’s Code Compliance Services Department indicate that Dallas eateries did alright, with only one establishment coming on the cusp of getting a failing score.
The City of Dallas maintains public records of health inspections for “food establishments” from October 2016 onward, noting the name of each establishment, location, date of inspection, its score, and an explanation for any deductions based on critical, non-critical, and minor violations.
Inspection scores are based on a 0-100 grading scale, where a score between 90 and 100 is considered “very good,” and a score of 69 or below is considered a “failing” grade, which requires a follow-up inspection within 10 days. If issues discovered during the previous inspection are still not resolved, the establishment is subject to immediate closure.
A score of 59 and below is considered “unacceptable” and requires immediate closure and another inspection prior to reopening.
The latest data update covers inspections conducted between June 15 and July 14. Some 369 food establishments were inspected, and it seems only one came on the verge of failing.
Mr. K Convenience Store at 4302 Malcolm X Blvd scored a 70 on its health inspection, which was conducted on July 5, 2023.
The establishment lost 30 points for a variety of infractions, including issues with its grease trap, storing pots and pans in the sink of a handwashing station, maintaining a dirty microwave, improper food storage (the inspector noted the store’s cooler might be broken), dirty non-food surfaces, and failing to ensure that all employees were food handler certified.
It was not immediately clear by publication what foods the convenience store was serving, though such establishments often offer hotdogs and other finger foods. While the establishment did not score low enough to warrant a 10-day follow-up inspection, it came dangerously close.
