Fort Worth Shuts Down 3 Restaurants After Health Inspections; Roaches Found at 8 Eateries
FORT WORTH, TX – Three Fort Worth-area restaurants were forced to close last week after failing health inspections, and eight more were cited for roach infestations, according to the latest inspection data released by the city. The closures come amid rising concerns over food safety compliance and consistent health standards across popular eateries in the region.
Health Violations Lead to Immediate Closures
The three restaurants shut down by inspectors were:
- Las Palmitas Mini Market at 3345 North Main Street
- Mariscos Sinaloense at 3019 North Main Street
- Golden Chick at 2804 Heritage Trace Parkway
Las Palmitas Mini Market was cited for having a cooler above the proper temperature and having food not protected from contamination, leading to an immediate order to cease operations until corrective actions were taken.
At Mariscos Sinaloense, inspectors noted plumbing issues, food held at unsafe temperatures, and improper storage practices — enough to issue a full closure until problems were resolved.
Golden Chick, a well-known fast food chain location, was also forced to close after the discovery of a significant pest issue, described as a roach infestation near the food prep area.
All three locations were allowed to reopen later in the week after passing follow-up inspections and meeting city health requirements.
More Roaches Discovered: 8 Restaurants Cited
In addition to the closures, city inspectors flagged eight restaurants for roach activity, though these businesses were not shut down. Instead, they were given a timeframe to correct the issues.
Restaurants cited include:
- Mama’s Pizza – North Beach Street
- East Gourmet Buffet – 728 North Beach Street
- El Pollo Regio – South Riverside Drive
- Miyako Hibachi Sushi & Steakhouse – North Tarrant Parkway
- Taco Cabana – Eastchase Parkway
- El Rancho Supermercado – McCart Avenue
- Mexican Inn Cafe – North Beach Street
- Tommy’s Hamburgers – Camp Bowie Boulevard
At Mama’s Pizza, roaches were seen crawling along the walls and under food equipment, while Miyako Hibachi received warnings after live roaches were spotted in the kitchen near prep areas. In all cases, the establishments were required to call pest control, thoroughly clean the facility, and submit proof of corrective actions.
Why This Matters: A Wake-Up Call for the Local Dining Scene
These closures and citations raise larger questions about health compliance in high-traffic restaurants, especially during Texas’s sweltering summer, when pests thrive in food environments.
Health inspectors routinely monitor cleanliness, proper food storage, employee hygiene, and pest control, but high customer volume and older infrastructure can create conditions for lapses. Fort Worth’s weekly inspection reports often uncover minor violations — but closures are reserved for only the most serious breaches.
City health officials stated that public health remains a priority and emphasized that transparency with inspection results is key to consumer safety.
A Closer Look at the Locations Affected
Golden Chick, part of a large regional chain, had only recently seen increased traffic due to promotions in the area. The closure was brief, but surprising for loyal patrons.
Las Palmitas Mini Market is a small local grocer and eatery known for serving working-class residents of the Northside neighborhood. Locals expressed frustration that a neighborhood staple had fallen short of expectations.
Mariscos Sinaloense, a family-run Mexican seafood restaurant, had a loyal customer base. However, repeated issues with improper food handling temperatures appear to have prompted a stronger response this time around.
Some other restaurants, like El Pollo Regio and Mexican Inn Cafe, have multiple locations across Texas and were quick to address the violations in their public statements.
Author’s POV: Be Careful, But Keep Eating Local
As someone who enjoys local favorites and hole-in-the-wall gems, this news is disappointing but not surprising. Summer heat in Texas is relentless, and when you combine that with high-volume kitchens, things can spiral fast if management isn’t careful. I’ve eaten at a few of these spots myself — the food was great, but I can’t lie — some places felt like they were cutting corners on cleanliness.
Hopefully, this pushes more owners to take proactive pest control and hygiene seriously, especially in neighborhoods where diners rely heavily on trusted local businesses.
Have a memory or opinion about one of these Fort Worth spots? Share your thoughts in the comments and follow CityScoopNow.com for more restaurant closures, new openings, and local food stories across Texas.