Behind the Kitchen Door: Permit revoked at Korean barbecue restaurant where inspectors found pest feces near condiments

Health records show scores for Hon Machi Korean BBQ tumbled from 87 in May 2023 to 64 in April 2024

🍳 Watch video of KSAT paying a visit to the restaurant with a failed inspection.

Behind the Kitchen Door is a series where KSAT investigates local restaurants’ health inspections.

A Korean barbecue restaurant had its permit suspended in April 2024 after a health inspector found nearly 25 violations.

Hon Machi Korean BBQ

Hon Machi Korean BBQ, located at 842 Loop 410 NW, received a 64 on its inspection, a failing score.

The report shows its permit was suspended in April “due to gross and unsanitary conditions.”

KSAT paid a visit to Hon Machi Korean BBQ, and spoke with a man who identified himself as a server.

KSAT showed him the inspection report, which revealed that the inspector found freezer-burnt beef, uncovered rat traps, and pest feces next to a condiment rack.

“Do you know if that’s been fixed?” KSAT asked the server.

“Oh yeah. All of that’s been fixed already,” the server said. “I think, last month, they came in and they checked us all out and everything like that. They did -- so next door, they opened a shoestore, so that next door was abandoned for I don’t know how long. And I think when they started doing construction, whatever critters, anything was in there started scattering everywhere.”

Health inspection records show since May 2023, scores at Hon Machi Korean BBQ have continued to drop.

“What would you tell people who might be nervous to eat here because of that?” KSAT asked the server.

“I would just tell them that everything’s under control,” said the server, who added that the restaurant’s menu is being revamped.

Thrif-T Mart

Thrift-T Mart, located at 6703 Zarzamora, scored an 80 on its April 2024 inspection.

The inspector noted cardboard was being used to put raw bacon in the meat cooler display.

The report said vegetables were stored on top of raw chicken.

The inspector saw several flies in the tortilla room.

Crumbl Cookies

Crumbl Cookies, located at 5531 W FM 1604, had its inspection score drop from 100 earlier this year to an 88 in April.

The floors were “covered in chocolate chips and other food items,” according to the report.

The inspector spotted food on utensils, pots and bottles after they were cleaned.

A bag of sugar was kept on the floor and used as a shelf for water, according to the report.


Score Guide

100-90 = A (Very Good to Acceptable)

89-80 = B (Acceptable to Marginal)

79 or lower = C (Marginal to Poor)

*Metro Health indicates that scores of 69 or lower are failing scores


Other scores from this week of inspections

54th Street Bar and Grill, 100

22902 US-281

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Black Mint Frozen Yogurt, 100

2310 Southwest Military Drive

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Hoki Bento Boba Cafe, 100

8830 Southwest Loop 410

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El Buen Gusto Mexican Cafe, 100

7709 Tezel Road

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Mista C’s Fried Chicken and Waffles, 99

7907 West Loop 1604 North, #N102

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New WU’s Kitchen, 98

15179 Judson Road

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Want to know who has good scores and who doesn’t? KSAT 12 has a new tool for that.

Just click this link, and it will take you to a new mapping tool we have showing the recent scores for San Antonio food businesses.

The reports go back six months and are frequently updated.

You can catch Daniela’s BKD reports Thursdays on the Nightbeat.

ALSO ON KSAT.COM

Watch other Behind the Kitchen Door stories here

Behind the Kitchen Door image. (KSAT)

About the Authors

Daniela Ibarra joined the KSAT News team in July 2023. This isn’t her first time in the KSAT newsroom– the San Antonio native spent the summer of 2017 as an intern. Daniela is a proud Mean Green alum, earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Texas.

Dale Keller is senior news photographer at KSAT-12.

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