Sal’s Family Kitchen, located at 823 Main St. in Martinez, has reopened after a forced closure during an inspection where officials say they found cockroaches and a dead mouse.
The Contra Costa County Health Department says they observed the following:
- Observed approximately 15 dead cockroaches and approximately 5 live cockroaches on sticky trap on floor
next to water heater. Cockroaches observed in different life stages. - Observed approximately 5 cockroaches on sticky trap on floor underneath shelving in dry-storage room.
- Observed 1 dead cockroach on floor in hallway near water-heater room.
- Observed 1 dead mouse on sticky trap on floor in dry-storage room.
- Observed 2 apparent cockroach casings in crack in corner of floor in hallway near water-heater room.
- Operator states that facility has not had professional pest control service for at least 3 years.
Click HERE to read all the health inspections for Sal’s Family Kitchen.
15 comments
This only one of 3 listing of eateries that have reopened after different pest closures. If they couldn’t keep their places pest clean before why should I go to any of them?
Speaking as someone who spent about 14 years working in the restaurant & bar biz in my younger years, I’d challenge any of you to try to manage a busy establishment with a staff of young folk, to keep things tidy all the time, all the while providing incredibly efficient service as they sell as much food & booze as possible (as they are expected to do).
Granted it is the back of the house crew that does most of the clean up work… but the kitchen & prep areas are dirtied up and cleaned up every single day and the food is there long enough for the bugs to get at it, Plus….pests are arriving daily with deliveries from produce, meat & dairy providers.
The health inspector could be writing you up for cockroaches in Walnut Creek that were in San Leandro two hours ago!
Alot of these businesses are in buildings attached to other businesses that could be providing safe shelter for bugs to live there and commute to the food establishment nextdoor.
So while the food establishment owner is held accountable (rightfully) for everything in his place of business, please at least understand what these people are up against & give them time to comply with the inspectors wishes.
Nobody can stay ahead of the challenges 100% of the time, Yeah, I know some places are just lazy…. the hell with those guys.
Professional exterminator services are very helpful…. and expensive !
But between Bidenflation, minimum wages and the support services those menu prices have gone up astronomically… alot of restaurants won’t be able to stay in business.
Dr. Jellyfinger nails it.
Good post with lots of info. However, “Bidenflation” is a myth. Inflation over the past two years was driven by supply side issues as a result of the global pandemic, as well as oil company greed. Administration economic policy did not drive inflation.
You had me until you ended up blaming it on Bidenflation. I don’t think the vermin care who is president. Only you.
My wife and I regularly eat lunch in restaurants, so I have the “FoodInspector” app on my phone. I can’t help but go ewwww… at some of the findings in the inspection reports. Bad reports do have consequences. We used to go to the Corner Bakery and The Original Pancake House in Pleasant Hill, but both shut down permanently after two closely spaced bad Health Department reports and resulting closures. Most places that get a closure order actually clean things up and are probably safe to visit, at least for a while.
I agree with The Observer.
Case in point…… Black Bear Diner in Oakley. Shut down for a bad cockroach problem… they aggressively addressed & resolved the problem, reopened and have been doing well since, as far as I can tell from the viewpoint of a semi regular customer…..Nom! No bugs, place is clean & good service too! Try the Patty Melt.
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Cockroaches and rodents dont limit themselves to one business. Be wary of any restaurants and bars within 100 feet of Sal’s.
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Just sayin’.
Wow. I went to this place before catching a train at the Amtrak station.. the food was really good so I gave them a good review on Yelp. I think that’s a wrap for me. I’m not going back.
Fix your own meals and eat at home. Period.
Thank you Dr Jellyfinger for that insight! I was going to say to Claycord even though you report that these places are now open again for business, didn’t help my appetite. Actually I think we’ll stay home tonight and eat what we cook here at home and not go anywhere!
I offer this short clip as a caution to those of you who do dine out…. it’s humorous, but the primary concern is that people should honestly consider the possibilities and how your behavior can determine the quality of the food & service you receive. You should actually find & watch the whole movie sometime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okNc-9Txjdk
Sal has always had the reputation of being a rude man who may be abusive towards staff. The kitchen itself is gross! Shut it down
Take it from someone who repaired all commercial food equipment(bakery,meat dept, deli, and warming areas) restaurant or grocery store for over a decade, the roach that was at black bear one night could be at Safeway in two days crawling on items that will be home cooked. A certain store chain with large deli is off the charts dirty, and that certain coffee shop we all know ain’t much better folks. Almost anything cooked beyond 300 degrees will not harm you anyway, it’s just the thought. If I were all of you I’d be more concerned about the hygiene habits of the people preparing and serving you
Once I’ve heard you’ve EVER been closed for grossness, you and me is done.
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