19 violations lead to failed health inspection at Biaggi’s
When an entree costs anywhere from $17 to $51 per plate and is served on a white tablecloth, one might expect the restaurant to have no problem passing its health inspection.
That was not the case, however, for an upscale Briargate restaurant last week.
With a total of 19 violations found on August 25, Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano at the Promenade Shops on Briargate Parkway not only failed its inspection, but was shut down due to the total number of points it lost.
Here are a handful of the violations:
- There was no Certified Food Protection Manager on duty as required
- ”Multiple employees” were actively eating and drinking in the kitchen
- ”Multiple staff in the kitchen” were not washing hands prior to putting on gloves
- Servers were observed touching bread with their bare hands
- There were no dates marked on containers to show when chicken, pasta, and vegetables were prepared
- Not only was there no soap in any of the dispensers, but there was no soap in the entire building to refill them
The report also noted that not all kitchen workers had obtained a Food Handler Certificate (different from a CFPM), although a health department spokesperson later clarified that workers aren’t required to have a certificate to be employed.
Regarding the lack of soap, the person in charge told the inspector that they ran out of soap the night before and were still waiting for an order that was placed.
When KRDO13 stopped by the restaurant on Tuesday to ask about the violations, the manager was unavailable.
A spokesperson with the corporate office released the following statement a day later:
“We take our responsibility for food safety very seriously at Biaggi’s. Our highest priorities are the safety and trust of our guests. We work very closely with the health department, and we are fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and quality."
KRDO13 replied and asked if the company had any response to the specific violations at the local restaurant, and the spokesperson said they did not.
Biaggi's was allowed to reopen two days after its closure, but it is still awaiting its full re-inspection.
OTHER FAILING SCORES
Mimi's Cafe 55 - 7133 N Academy Blvd
Egglush - 1025 S Sierra Madre St
The Point Bar & Grill - 1545 S 8th St
Trivelli’s Hoagies - 4547 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
Awi Sushi - 1286 Interquest Pkwy
Milano Pizza and Italian Kitchen - 750 Citadel Dr
Fountain Creek Winery - 606 S Santa Fe Ave
HIGH SCORES
Schlotzsky's - 2381 N Academy Blvd
Lolley's Ice Cream - 174 Washington St
In N Out Burger - 495 Garden of the Gods
Pizza Hut - 3345 N Academy Blvd
Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen - 2839 E Fountain Blvd
Sourdough & Co. - 3264 Centennial Blvd
Red Lobster - 3510 New Center Point
Chick-fil-A - 391 Spectrum Loop
Awi Sushi - 5070 N Nevada Ave
Upstate Pizzeria - 4621 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
Honey Hill Charcuterie - 1520 Verde Dr
Mariscos El Rey #4 - 1811 S Academy
The Mariscos El Rey, near S Academy and Chelton, doesn’t just serve Mexican-style seafood.
It’s inspired by the cuisine from the state of Sinaloa on Mexico’s west coast, where its owners previously lived before moving to Colorado.
“Sinaloa-style seafood is going to be spicier and it’s going to be a lot more rich in flavor,” explains Cindy Valenzuela, the co-owner and also the daughter of the restaurant’s founder, Juan Carlos Venezuela.
Some of the signature dishes are the Pescado Zarandeado and the Agua Chile.
Valenzuela says their extensive varieties of ceviches and sushi are also very popular.
Before Mariscos El Rey opened in early 2024, it underwent a massive renovation that included adding murals of scenes from a typical small fishing village in Mexico.
“We really wanted a place to transport you to Sinaloa, to make you feel like you were in Sinaloa. The scenery we have on the walls, along with the food, should make you feel like you're in Mazatlan,” says Valenzuela.
Part of the reason the Valenzuelas opened the location in Colorado Springs is that so many people in Southern Colorado were driving to their other three restaurants in Denver.
The next time you’re fishing around for a good restaurant, keep an eye out for the KRDO13 Restaurant Roundup awards, to know the kitchen inside is clean.
Click here for a complete look at all the most recent restaurant inspections.
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