Avoiding the Dragon: A Look at Recent Restaurant Inspections

There is a Chinese eatery in Colorado Springs that has been struggling with health inspections. Dragon King, located at the intersection of Powers and Galley, has failed four times in a row. This is not a game, but a real-life situation that poses health risks to customers. The most recent inspection revealed several issues. An employee was seen handling cooked chicken with bare hands, which is a big no-no in food safety. Additionally, noodles and cooked chicken were found at incorrect temperatures, and the methods used to cool chicken were not up to code. These problems are not new; they have been recurring issues in previous inspections. When a reporter visited the restaurant to ask about these problems, the owner and manager were supposedly not available. A worker provided a contact number, but there was no response to the request for comment. Dragon King is not the only restaurant that failed its inspection. Taco Express on Tutt Boulevard also had issues. A staff member was seen touching a tortilla with bare hands before giving it to a customer. Raw egg residue was found on a cutting board, and at least one staff member did not wash their hands before putting on gloves. The owner was out of town, and a manager was sick on the day of the inspection, which might explain the lapses.

However, the Taco Express owner is taking steps to correct the violations. He had a meeting with the staff to address the issues and expects to pass the re-inspection. Interestingly, the owner's other location on Voyager earned a perfect score in a health inspection earlier this year. On a brighter note, several restaurants in the area performed well in their inspections. Rocky Mountain Beignets, Chicken Salad Chick, Subway, and Snarf's Sandwiches each had just one violation. Taco Bell and Schlotzsky's on Razorback Road earned perfect scores. Schlotzsky's is known for its unique toasted sourdough bread, made fresh daily. The owner, Rich Forbush, emphasizes the use of fresh vegetables and meats, which are oven-roasted to enhance flavor. Despite being part of a nationwide chain, Forbush runs his Schlotzsky's locations like a local business, engaging in fundraising and community events. The Schlotzsky's on Razorback has always done well in health inspections, but this is the first time it has earned a perfect score. This achievement highlights the importance of maintaining food safety standards. Customers can look for Restaurant Roundup awards at their favorite eateries to ensure the kitchen is clean and up to standard.

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