Restaurant scores serve up winners

Burger King, along IH-35 in Buda, was among the Buda restaurants earning an exemplary score on its recent county health inspection. (Photo by Cindy Slovak-Barton)

by VERONICA GORDON

Hays County health inspectors have released August reports for local food establishments and some eateries are keeping it clean, while others failed to make the grade.

If you’re looking for fast food, Burger King in Buda improved its score from 3 demerits to 0 in a month moving it to the exemplary category.

Other exemplary restaurants range from pizza to doughnuts. Domino’s in Kyle, Donut Palace in Buda and specialty food merchant Jardine’s won the top spots for cleanliness. Bordeaux’s in Kyle, maintains its exemplary status, receiving no demerits.

In contrast, Garcia’s in Buda, received a below average rating this time around, dropping it from above average. The kitchen earned 14 demerits in August compared to only 3 in March.

The establishments inspected by Hays County include a wide variety of food industries such as restaurants, delicatessens, school cafeterias, grocery stores, retail meat markets, bakeries and bars.

The county does not score on a standard 0 to 100 scale but instead tabulates total demerits. If no violations are found, a score of 0 demerits is achieved. If an establishment receives more than 30 demerits, a re-inspection is required and corrections must be made to bring the total score below 30 in accordance with the Texas Food Establishment Rules (Chapter 229 of the Texas Administrative Code/Health Services).

Kyle food servers

Exemplary (0 demerits): McDonald’s at Kyle Center Drive; Luvianos Restaurante; Domino’s Pizza; Bordeaux’s.

Above average (1-7 demerits): Dollar General at FM 150; Kyle Fast Stop; Railroad Bar-B-Q; SAC-N-PAC #302 at Jack C. Hays Trail; Taqueria Dollar.

Average (8-13 demerits): Chick-Fil-A; Los Vega.

Below average (14-20 demerits): The Palm Cafe #3.

Buda food servers

Exemplary (0 demerits): Burger King at IH 35; Donut Palace; Dollar General at RR 967; Jack in the Box; Jardine Foods.

Above average (1-7 demerits): La Estrellita Food Service (mobile); Loop 4 Chevron at South IH 35; SAC-N-PAC #405 on IH 35 South.

Average (8-13 demerits): Nonna Gina’s Italian Restaurant.

Below average (14-20 demerits): Abby’s MexFood; Chavelo’s; Garcia’s on Main Street; SAC-N-PAC #402 on FM 2001.