WHERE BOERNE EATS: A CLOSER LOOK
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Boerne Star meets twice monthly with Kendall County Health Inspector Brenda Bell and her staff, to bring us our newest feature, “Where Boerne Eats: A Closer Look.”
Boerne is well known for its variety of food options, ranging from German to Italian –– all within minutes of each other. At the start of the new year, Kendall County Health Inspector David Sueltenfuss made the rounds to keep each establishment safe for eaters.
Based on public reports, here is what he found.
Valeria Restaurant, 109 Waterview Parkway, Suite 105
Hours: 4 to 11 p.m. Monday-Saturday Owned by Chef Keith Kuhn, the restaurant promises to bring European cuisine to life. The menu offers handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas; fresh, wild-caught seafood and grass-fed steaks – all crafted with the “highest-quality ingredients,” according to Valeria’s website.
During his inspection, Sueltenfuss noted several issues: Mildew grew in an ice machine; no residual sanitizer in the final rinse of the dishwasher; an expired food-manager certificate; an unavailable food-handler certificate; several expired foods; hair restraints not being worn by employees; and drawer framers unclean.
Sueltenfuss handed his observations directly to Kuhn, who worked to make immediate corrections.
SCORE: 86
Boerne Longhorn Café, 369 S. Esser Road, Suite 200
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday- Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday Home of the Original Big Juicy burger, Longhorn Café has become a staple in Boerne. In addition to burger options on the menu, there are also comfort-food classics including chicken-fried steak and fried fish baskets.
Sueltenfuss marked several observations during his visit the staff immediately corrected: Cod found in the freezer above 41 degrees; an unclean grill top; mildew on an ice machine; batter cooler not thoroughly cleaned; an expired food-handler certificate; missing thermometers in several cooling units; numerous flies; unclean door gaskets and rotted lids (30 days given to correct); several wall/ceiling areas and air vents unclean or not in good repair.
SCORE: 81
Smokey Mo’s BBQ, 1685 River Road
Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday- Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday Smokey Mo’s offers Texas favorites: brisket, chicken, sausage, turkey, pork and classic barbecue sides including potato salad and macaroni and cheese.
During Sueltenfuss’s visit, he noted the following: An ice machine with mildew; hands not being washed in hot water; toxic items stored on food tables; a broken ice machine door difficult to clean; a rusted area in the walk-in cooler; air vents heavy with lint; facialhair restraints not being worn; and the previous inspection not posted.
SCORE: 83
Richter Tavern, 153 S. Main St.
Hours: 11 a. m. to 8 p. m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday Regarded as the oldest bar in the Hill Country, the Richter Tavern remains a favorite in Boerne. The eatery offers custom cocktails and popular tavern grub such as burgers, pizza and sandwiches.
Other menu items include sushi and charcuterie platters.
Sueltenfuss noted only two items requiring correction: Knives stored between prep coolers between uses, and personal items on top of food tables and food containers.
SCORE: 98
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