Metro Health officials temporarily closed the kitchen of Chas Kitchen, a Korean restaurant located at 1431 North Pine in San Antonio, after an inspection on September 8 revealed live roaches and several food‑temperature violations. The closure lasted three days while the establishment corrected the issues.
Inspection findings
The health‑inspection report listed seven violations. In addition to the presence of live roaches, inspectors noted that a bottle labeled “roach medicine” was stored inside the kitchen, indicating an ongoing pest‑control problem. Temperature readings for sausage, shredded cheese, and refried beans were recorded in the 60s °F while the items remained in a walk‑in cooler for more than four hours, exceeding the required maximum of 41 °F.
Restaurant manager John Lee told KSAT, “We already fixed everything and don’t have any problems right now.” He added, “We’ve changed everything here. Sorry about that.” Lee said the staff members responsible for the violations were terminated after the report was issued, and the restaurant is using the soft‑opening period to ensure compliance with health standards.
Response and corrective actions
Metro Health confirmed the three‑day closure was a direct response to the pest issue and temperature violations. The agency emphasized that swift corrective action is essential to protect public health, especially in establishments serving high‑traffic meals such as Korean barbecue.
Lee explained that the restaurant has instituted a new sanitation policy, including stricter hand‑washing protocols, mandatory glove changes after each task, and a revised temperature‑monitoring schedule. “Even if customers cannot see the kitchen, we want to make sure everything is clean and good,” he said.
Other local inspections
KSAT’s ongoing “Behind the Kitchen Door” series also visited the newly opened Umiya Sushi at 911 North Hunt Lane. That establishment received a score of 78 on its September 11 inspection, with violations that included unheated tempura, a fly issue, and employees using phones while wearing gloves without changing them afterward. “That’s not sanitary,” KSAT reporter Daniela Ibarra noted. The manager acknowledged the findings and said the restaurant has already implemented a policy to address the concerns.
Other local eateries inspected during the week of September 6‑12 earned perfect scores of 100, including Mexico Taco, Super Donut, Amigos Snacks And More, Crumble Cookies, Whataburger, Fat Tummy Empanadas, Hai’s, Kung Fu BaoBao, Saritas Mexican Restaurant #2, and Chuzz! Burgers.
What the scores mean
San Antonio health‑inspection scores are graded on a 100‑point scale: 100‑90 = A (Very Good to Acceptable), 89‑80 = B (Acceptable to Marginal), and 79 or lower = C (Marginal to Poor). Chas Kitchen’s score of 88 places it in the B range, indicating acceptable conditions but room for improvement.
KSAT encourages diners to stay informed about restaurant health ratings, which are publicly available on the Metro Health website. The agency advises patrons to look for establishments with A‑range scores for the highest confidence in food safety.
Community impact
Local residents rely on transparent health‑inspection reporting to make safe dining choices. By promptly addressing the violations, Chas Kitchen aims to restore confidence among its patrons and demonstrate a commitment to the health and well‑being of the San Antonio community.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
