August 13, 2026  •  Official Report ↗

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Editor's Note

This (last weeks?) week’s report covers 63 inspections. Rodent & pest problems, and inadequate air gaps at floor drains and service sinks were the most common violations this week. I wanted to apologize for missing two weeks ago and getting this weeks out late. Life has been busy! Keep an eye out for tomorrows report!

Closures & Major Violations

These establishments were closed by inspectors or received violations serious enough to pose an immediate public health risk. Violations in this category include evidence of pests, improper food temperature control, contaminated food-contact surfaces, or conditions that create imminent danger to public health. A follow-up inspection is required before any closed establishment can reopen, and some may face additional scrutiny or civil penalties.

Curry Leaf, 6910 Montgomery Blvd NE (July 27, July 29, July 31)

Inspectors found hundreds of rodent droppings across the kitchen, ware washing area, dining room, and dry storage, including on top of food container lids, on wrapped fenugreek leaves, and on containers of lentils, peppercorns, and green pulse. A live roach was in the dry storage area with the spices. The facility was closed July 27 as an imminent health hazard, cited for operating on a suspended permit, and reopened July 31 under an Unsatisfactory grade with minimal droppings and one live roach still present.

Kaps, 5801 Central Ave NE (July 30)

Dozens of dead roaches were under equipment and in the basement, a live roach was next to the flat top, and a dead mouse was still in a trap under the soda machine. Chlorine sanitizer was not prepped, green chile had expired three weeks earlier, and raw chicken was stored next to mushrooms. The facility was closed and a re-inspection is required.

Quality Inn and Suites, 5601 Alameda Blvd NE (July 31)

A bag of chopped green chile was thawing overnight in the handwashing sink, and yogurt in the self-serve cooler held at 56 degrees in a unit that could not maintain temperature. Sanitizer was not made up and no thermometers were available. The facility was closed and a re-inspection is required.

Eat My Thai Cuisine, 5303 Gibson Blvd SE (July 29)

This follow-up to a substantiated complaint found coolers holding above 41 degrees, live cockroaches, and debris throughout the kitchen. The facility reopened under an Unsatisfactory grade and faces an unannounced follow-up within five business days.

Limra DBA Royal Hyderabad, 5760 McMahon Blvd NW, Ste B-E (July 29)

This facility was upgraded from a closure to Unsatisfactory after correcting cold holding, cleaning, date marking, and hand drying violations. It will operate five business days before a re-inspection.

Federicos Mexican Food, 4400 Central Ave SE (July 30, July 31)

The routine inspection found fish thawing in ambient air, shrimp and chicken holding at 48 and 49 degrees, no certified food protection manager, and no thermometers, drawing an Unsatisfactory grade. The facility corrected the violations and was upgraded to Approved on July 31.

Kinder Care Learning Ctr. Inc., 5701 Mcleod Rd NE (July 29)

The routine inspection found an empty sanitizer bottle, a soiled can opener blade, no certified food protection manager, and an expired permit, scoring 67 for an Unsatisfactory grade. On-site corrections raised the score to 85 and the facility was upgraded to Approved.

Tokyo Hana Hibachi and Sushi Bar, 10001 Coors Blvd NW (July 30)

Raw beef, chicken, and cut garlic held between 45 and 62 degrees, sanitizer registered 0 ppm, and soup reheated to 80 degrees for hot holding. The receiving door was propped open with a broom. The facility reopened under an Unsatisfactory grade with a re-inspection required.

Conditional Approvals

These establishments remain open but were given conditional approval following their inspection. They were found to have violations that, while not immediately dangerous, require prompt correction. Each must address the identified issues within a defined window set by inspectors. Failure to correct the violations within that timeframe triggers a mandatory re-inspection and may result in conditional status being revoked or the establishment being closed.

Churchs Chicken 10386, 9250 Golf Course Rd NW (July 29)

Chicken strips held at 115 degrees, the ice machine ceiling dripped brown and black residue onto the ice, and a back handwashing sink had no paper towels. Fix hot holding, clean the ice machine, and restock hand drying.

Daves High Desert Grill, 5200 Eubank Blvd NE, B-5 (July 29)

More than a dozen cold items held between 47 and 63 degrees, four quarts of pooled eggs sat on the cook line, and a handwashing sink was full of blueberries. Fix cold holding, stop pooling eggs, and keep handwashing sinks clear.

Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Sts ABQ Dwntwn, 222 Central Ave SE (July 28)

Red organic buildup was near the ice machine deflector plate, a floor drain was missing its strainer, and a handwashing sink was blocked by a speed rack. Clean the ice machine, repair the drain, and keep the sink accessible.

Sandia Learning Center, 2433 Chelwood Park Blvd NE (July 31)

Raw chicken tenders were stored above lettuce, berries, and celery, and a can opener blade held dried food debris. The facility corrected both and returned to Approved the same day.

Wendys, 1012 Juan Tabo Blvd NE (July 27)

Three-compartment sink piping drained gray water directly onto the floor, and the ice machine had brown buildup inside. The facility remade its sanitizer on site and returned to Approved.

Wrap N Roll, 121 Eubank Blvd NE, B (July 28)

The ice machine, can opener, and slicer carried buildup and dried food debris, and a handwashing sink was full of food debris with an employee rinsing dishes in it. The facility cleaned the surfaces, paid its permit, and returned to Approved.

Notable Passes

These establishments passed their inspections and are approved to operate, but received violations worth knowing about. The issues documented did not rise to the level required for closure or conditional status, but represent areas where food safety practices fell short of the standard. All entries include the establishment address so readers can identify locations they frequent.

Albuq Subway Inc/Subway Sand 7120 Wyoming Blvd NE. An opened bag of sugar sat uncovered in a cabinet, employees lacked food handler cards, and the service sink air gap was inadequate.

Albuquerque School of Excellence 13201 Lomas Blvd NE. Can openers were soiled with food debris and syrup, floor drains lacked adequate air gaps, and water-damaged ceiling tiles above the kitchen were flaking.

Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar 2000 Yale Blvd SE. Multiple kitchen floor drains had inadequate air gaps, employee drinks were stored on shelving, and reach-in cooler floors held soil buildup.

CEC Enterainment Inc DBA Chuck E Cheese 10510 Coors NW. The Pepsi dispenser chute had brown residue, sliced cucumber and chunked pizza carried no date marks, and two employees made pizzas without hair restraints.

Chili's Bar & Grill 8100 Wyoming Blvd NE. An employee cell phone sat on the steam table ledge next to a customer plate, food handler cards on file were expired, and an employee worked with utensils then donned gloves without washing hands.

Circle K 361 Coors Blvd NW. A back office door was off its track exposing the wall interior, the three-compartment sink air gap was inadequate, and shelving and cooler surfaces throughout carried debris.

Circle K 1246 7940 Ladera Dr NW. A backroom drain was missing its screen, sanitizer at the front bucket tested below 100 ppm, and sandwich trays in the display case carried debris.

Cliffs 4800 Osuna Rd NE. The ice machine had brown buildup inside, a 12-inch hole gaped in the wall above an upright cooler, and a roller door showed light at the bottom edge.

COA/North Valley Senior Center 3825 4th St NW. A live American cockroach was in the men's restroom and a dead roach was in the kitchen oven. The ice machine ceiling had pink buildup and the hood system carried heavy soil.

Crumbl Cookies 8100 Wyoming Blvd NE, F-3. The sanitizer dispenser at the three-compartment sink was mislabeled, the women's restroom had no covered receptacle, and the back door showed light at the bottom.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries 6650 Holly Ave. Food employees were not in possession of food handler cards.

Fuego Enterprises LLC DBA Laguna Burger 105 Harvard Dr SE. Three-compartment sink sanitizer tested 0 ppm, bar area floor drains had inadequate air gaps, and reach-in cooler interiors carried food debris.

Fuel Ignited by Sparks LLC DBA Chicago Pizza Kitchen 9250 Golf Course Rd NW, B. Alfredo and garlic sauces carried no date marks, chlorine sanitizer at the front bucket tested above 200 ppm, and floor base coving tile was damaged.

Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Sts ABQ Dwntwn 222 Central Ave SE (Class B). Bar ware wash sanitizer tested 25 ppm, a bar floor drain lacked an adequate air gap, and no chlorine test kit was available.

Honey Bottom Coffee and Tea Co LLC #2 1208 Rio Grande Blvd NW. No certified food protection manager on staff.

Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town 800 Rio Grande Blvd NW. Under-counter coolers at the bar carried debris, an ice bin had no lid, and undercounter cooler locks showed rust.

Keva Juice 1 2451 San Mateo Blvd NE, A4. The handwashing sink faucet was leaking, the upright cooler had no thermometer, and an employee donned new gloves and switched tasks without washing hands.

Kinder Care Learning Ctr. Inc. 4515 Lower Terrace Cir NE. The outdoor trash receptacle had no lid, the permit was expired, and no grade sticker was posted.

Kinder Care Learning Ctr. Inc. 9111 High Assets Way Ln NW. Twelve to 15 dead roaches were in a kitchen trap, four fluorescent bulbs over the food prep area were missing covers, and the prep sink faucet leaked into standing water.

La Loteria 9800 Central Ave SE. The ice machine had yellow buildup around the chute, the women's restroom had no covered receptacle, and main kitchen line bulbs were not shatter-resistant.

La Petite Academy Inc. 4910 Kachina St NW. No sanitizer was made up at inspection, employee lunches were stored in the kitchen handwashing sink, and wood cabinets and shelving were absorbent and losing their cleanable surface.

Las Palomas Nursing & Rehab Ctr 8100 Palomas Ave NE. The dish machine dispensed 0 ppm chlorine and its drain pipes leaked onto the floor, forcing the facility onto the three-compartment sink. A can opener blade had dried food debris.

Little Caesars 510 6125 Montgomery Blvd NE. A floor drain was missing its cover, no certified food protection manager was on staff, and pepperoni was stored uncovered in the reach-in freezer.

Lobby Bar 4720 Alexander Blvd NE. Ware wash machine sanitizer tested 0 ppm, the permit was expired, and floor areas under equipment and coolers carried buildup.

Long Cao LLC DBA Dragon Sushi 6904 Menaul Blvd NE, Ste D. Sushi bar items held between 47 and 64 degrees, sliced vegetables carried no date marks, and no food permit was posted.

McDonalds 32613 150 98th St NW. Reach-in coolers, freezers, and beverage machines carried debris inside and out, and entry doors had fingerprint marks.

Menchies Frozen Yogurt 6500 Holly Ave NW, A-1. Whole blueberries and strawberries sat on the drainboard next to soapy water and chemicals, a service sink faucet leaked, and the three-compartment sink was used without a rinse step.

Pay and Save Inc. DBA Lowe's Super Save Grocery 701 11th St NW. Back stock areas had holes where walls met floors and where pipes came through the ceiling, employees lacked food handler cards, and produce and cooler surfaces carried debris.

Peter Defries Corp DBA Dion's 8100 Wyoming Blvd NE. The chlorine sanitizer container feeding the ware wash machine was empty, registering 0 ppm, and the detergent container was also empty. Both were replaced on site.

Satellite 2300 Central Ave SE, A. The floor drain by the espresso machine had an inadequate air gap, the permit was expired, and single-service coffee filters were stored outside their packaging.

Seemos Slices 2300 Central Ave SE. A spray bottle of sanitizer was unlabeled, unwrapped pizza boxes were stored on the floor, and walls in the ware washing area and mop closet had screw holes and crevices.

Snapdragon Tea 115 Harvard Dr SE, 7. Floor drains under the three-compartment sink and rear ice machine had inadequate air gaps.

Sonic Drive In 280 98th St NW. Trays and scoops in prep and holding areas had heavy old food buildup, diced onions and pickles held between 46 and 49 degrees, and multiple drinks sat in food-contact areas.

Starbucks Coffee 5588 11321 Montgomery Blvd NE. Sanitizer pans under the espresso machines tested 50 and 100 ppm, an employee wore a hair tie on the wrist while working with open food, and floors under equipment carried debris.

Starbucks Corp 2801 Eubank Blvd NE. The back handwashing sink had no hand drying method and no permit was posted.

Sundowner Hospitality, LLC DBA Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites 222 Central Ave SW. No certified food protection manager on staff.

Tanoan Kava 2500 12th St NW Bldg. E Suite 4, 4. The facility had no pest control method in place, three dead roaches were near the bar register and behind an upright cooler, and the person in charge did not know what sanitizer was in use.

Village Inn Restaurant 2340 Yale Blvd SE. A blue light insect trap was installed over a food prep table, the south handwashing sink was backed up with water and leaking, and worn floor tile and grout let water and grease pool.

Wal Mart Super Center 5491 2266 Wyoming Blvd NE. Chef knives on the wall rack had dried food debris on the blades, and sauced fried chicken bites and cheese poppers held between 111 and 132 degrees.

Dollar Tree 11110 Lomas Blvd NE. Dented cans of pineapple and mackerel were on the shelf, and popsicles were stored on the walk-in freezer floor.

Dollar Tree 3211 Coors Blvd SW. Floors throughout carried buildup, and reach-in cooler interiors held debris.

Cliffs 4800 Osuna Rd NE (additional permits). Ice buildup was on walk-in cooler and freezer condenser units, and a soda machine floor area had spider webs and dust.

No Significant Violations

These establishments passed their inspections with no significant violations. Minor paperwork or administrative issues may have been noted but did not affect their approval status. Addresses are included so readers can identify locations they visit.

• Blakes Lotaburger — 3205 Richmond Dr NE

• Element by Westin Albuquerque Uptown — 2430 Louisiana Blvd NE

• Guru Investments Inc DBA Taj Mahal Restaurant — 1430 Carlisle Blvd NE

• Kimmy Snacks Craft Services LLC — 4720 Alexander Blvd. NE

• Sushi and Sake LLC — 4214 Central Ave SE

Albuquerque Food Safety Report

Data sourced from the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department

This newsletter provides content using data that has been modified for use from its original source, www.cabq.gov, the official website of the City of Albuquerque. The Albuquerque Food Safety Report is not associated with the City of Albuquerque. The data provided in this newsletter is subject to change at any time. It is understood that the data provided is being used at one's own risk. The publisher of the Albuquerque Food Safety Report is not liable for any errors or omissions in the data, nor for any actions taken based on the information provided.