DENVER — In this week’s restaurant report card, a home style restaurant in Aurora earned an “F,” and in this case the “F” stands for feces.
Apple Creek Restaurant
Apple Creek Restaurant at 10600 East Iliff Avenue gets a failing grade for 14 critical violations during its last two inspections.
In June, inspectors found “fruit flies … in two liquor bottles, cooked potatoes were stored next to raw ground beef” and several items including raw beef, cheese, ranch dressing and milk were all held at too warm of temperature.
In last year’s inspection, health experts found “a dead mouse … in a spring trap and rodent droppings … on the dry storage room floor.”
The owner of Apple Creek refused to talk to us, but sent a statement. “The reason for the violations were due to a malfunctioning of one of our refrigerators. We are in full compliance with the health department and all the violations were corrected.”
Venice
The next restaurant on our report card is Venice at 5946 S. Holly St. in Greenwood Village. This eatery failed because of 13 critical mistakes including “flies … in the kitchen.”
Also in June, inspectors found “a tray of food was stored … on the floor, a baking sheet was stored on a trash can” and “the floors, walls and ceiling of the entire kitchen and wait station were soiled with food debris.”
Foods that are supposed to be kept cold, like calamari and cream sauce were held at 50 degrees. Health experts say food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below to prevent bacteria from growing.
Venice’s chef declined our requests for an interview, but sent us a statement that said in part, “These violations are … taken very seriously by me and my staff and countermeasures are taken in a timely fashion to correct the violations. All critical violations are corrected by the concurrently scheduled follow-up inspection, without fail, as the record will show.”
“A+” for Taco Bell on W. 64th Avenue in Arvada
And a reason to run for the border. Our “A+” of the week goes to Taco Bell on West 64th Avenue in Arvada for two perfect inspections in a row.
General Manager Teresa Valentine credits team work for their clean kitchen. “We actually do cleaning duties, daily cleaning duties. “I take a little credit but I give it all to my staff.” Valentine said.
Check Your Favorite Restaurants
- Follow this link for restaurants in the city of Denver
- Follow this link for restaurants covered by the Tri-County Health Department (Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties)
- Follow this link for restaurants covered by Jefferson County
Food safety tip from Denver Department of Environmental Health:
Click here for more tips on how to keep your food safe.
