AUSTIN -- Our first stop in this edition of Eat, Drink, and Be Wary is in North Austin. Zen Restaurant, 2900 West Anderson Lane, failed its Dec. 9 Austin-Travis County health inspection with a score of 66.Violations noted by the health inspector included:
- Rodent droppings in the back of the kitchen.
- Cooling violations with grilled chicken being placed in the walk-in to cool.
- Mold was found in the ice machine.
- Spray bottles containing toxic substances were discovered without labels.
On the required follow up inspection on Dec.21, Zen Restaurant passed with a score of 96.
A few doors down,Star of India at 2900 West Anderson Lane failed its Dec. 16 health inspection with a score of 61.Among the problems spotted by the health inspector were:
- Cans in unsound condition. They were dented along the seal and all tossed out.
- Cockroaches were found under the water heater in the kitchen.
- Mold and food particles were discovered on the ice machine, microwave and shelves.
On the required followup inspection on on Dec. 28, Star of India passed with a score of 85.
The last stop was R.C. Fowler's in the 12000 block of Highway 620. It failed a Dec.15 health inspection with a score of 52. Among the issues the health inspector found:
- Blue cheese, ranch dressing and milk were all being held at the wrong temperature. All of it was thrown out.
- Extremely dirty bags of powdered sugar and gravy mix were examined and the bottoms were covered in small dead bugs.
- Rodent droppings were spotted in the prep area.
On the required follow up inspection on Jan. 4, R.C. Fowler's passed with a score of 74.
