Health officials close facility after live roaches discovered
Fort Worth health inspectors uncovered roaches, fecal matter and general sanitation problems during routine food-service checks conducted June 28 through July 4, city data show. One restaurant was ordered closed until pest-control measures were completed and critical violations were corrected.
The establishment that drew the most immediate action was Fat Shack at 2858 W. Berry St., which received a score of 12 on July 2. Inspectors reported multiple deficiencies, including some employees who had not completed an accredited food-handler course, improperly labeled food in a reach-in cooler, and the presence of gnats and four roaches in the kitchen. The city closed the business until the infestation could be addressed.
Under Fort Worth’s demerit system, a score of 0 indicates an inspection with no violations. When a facility’s total demerits exceeds 30, the health department requires immediate repair of critical hazards and completion of corrective steps on all other violations within 48 hours. During this inspection cycle, no restaurant surpassed that threshold.
- Wayne’s Grocery Corp. — scored 20 on June 29; inspectors found droppings near the ice cream freezer, fecal matter on a toilet and dirty floors; hot water temperature registered at 95°F.
- Fat Shack — closed after roaches were observed in the kitchen; additional training and labeling violations cited.
- Caribou Coffee (2800 Basswood Blvd.) and Chili’s Grill & Bar (6350 N. Freeway) — both received perfect scores of 0.
Consequences and public guidance
The inspections show the range of compliance among Fort Worth food businesses: from those with no violations to others facing immediate closure for public-health risks. For operators, failing to maintain adequate water temperatures or allowing pest activity poses the risk of closure, lost revenue and reputational damage. For consumers, the reports underscore the value of inspection transparency when choosing where to eat or shop.
“When the total exceeds 30, the restaurant must take immediate corrective action,”
The city posts inspection results and scores publicly; residents can search facility names and sort by score if they want to review recent findings. The convenience store cited for insufficient hot water was warned and required to correct the issue or face potential suspension of operations.
| Establishment | Date | Score | Key violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat Shack | July 2 | 12 | Roaches, gnats, unlabeled food, staff training lapses |
| Wayne’s Grocery Corp. | June 29 | 20 | Droppings, fecal matter in restroom, dirty floors, low hot water temp |
| Caribou Coffee | — | 0 | No violations |
| Chili’s Grill & Bar | — | 0 | No violations |
City officials and health inspectors continue to monitor compliance. Consumers concerned about a specific location should consult the Fort Worth health department’s online inspection database for the most current reports and follow-up actions.
