No foolin': The worst restaurant health inspections of 2008

Last year the Austin Travis County Health and Human Services Department inspected more than 6,000 restaurants. By far, the vast majority passed, ensuring your health and safety in local restaurants. But some failed and failed big.

Think about how often you go out to eat. We assume that plate of piping hot food is prepared with fresh ingredients in a clean kitchen. Guess what? Not always. In 2008, 96 restaurants failed their health inspection with Austin-Travis County inspectors. We have gathered a few that were at the bottom.

Let's start with China Buffet on Burnet Road. If it seems familiar, this restaurant was on the worst of the worst we aired last year. China Buffet got a score of 55 on its health inspection in March 2008. This time, inspectors found an unknown liquid dripping in a container plus filth on the walls, doors, fans, floors and sides of equipment. China Buffet cleaned things up after that and scored 90, 84, and 83 on all the follow up inspections in 2009.

Next, we go to Cancun Mexican Restaurant at 8210 North Interstate 35 Service Road. It also failed in March 2008 with a 50. The inspector watched a cook handle raw beef then fail to properly wash his hands or wear gloves before handling ready to eat tortillas. Employee prescriptions, and other medications were also found next to the toaster. Cancun Mexican Restaurant was checked three more times last year scoring a 71, an 82, and 79 on follow-up inspections.

Now, just down I-35 a little way we arrive at Antonio's Tex Mex which also got a 50 during an October inspection. Rodent droppings were found in the kitchen, store room and several other places in the establishment. Fruit flies had accumulated in the bar. And their dish machine was not providing a final sanitizing rinse. On two follow-up inspections Antonio's Mexican Restaurant scored an 80 and a 77.

Now to the restaurant that had the worst score in the Austin-Travis County area for 2008. It's a place that is supposed to be good for us. In fact, it's 100 percent vegetarian. Mr. Natural on Cesar Chavez scored a 46 during an inspection in June. Critical violations include grain beetles in the bulk flour bin and an accumulation of food particles or mold on numerous surfaces including the ice machine, the waffle iron, and the interior of the bakery freezer. Mr. Natural sent us a statement which says in part, "after being in business for more than 20 years, this is the first time we have had a situation such as this with the health department. We took immediate action. Mr. Natural has taken this as an opportunity to improve and establish higher standards to maintain the quality of the food that is being served here." Since that failing score Mr. Natural on Cesar Chavez has passed with scores of 76 and 72.

There are several other restaurants worth mentioning on this worst of the worst list, not because of their low score but because of their back to back failing scores.

China Palace at 6605 Airport Boulevard failed twice in a row in February and March 2008. It scored a 63 and 62. Han Yang Market 6808 North Lamar scored 62 back to back in May. And Asia Market on Spicewood Springs Road got double 60's in August. The third time was a charm for all three as they passed follow-up inspections.

Health inspectors say the best defense against a dirty restaurant is you. When you head out to eat use your nose to determine how it smells. How does it look? Are the bathrooms a mess? Are the servers clean? The bottom line... use your instincts so you can eat, drink and not be wary.