‘Wellness’ Fees, ‘kitchen Staff Appreciation’ Charges May Be Hiding On Your Restaurant Bill

 New Haven’s Union League Cafe has a “4% kitchen appreciation program” fee.Instagram / @unionleaguecafe

“Every couple of months, we will have a guest that wants to speak to a manager to understand why we do that instead of increasing our prices,” he told The Post of his 30-year-old establishment.

“To me, at the end of the day, it’s actually exactly the same thing. Only we show why the price has actually increased.”

Turpault, like many restaurateurs, already had to adjust the price of dishes — especially those with chicken and beef — to combat egregious inflation since the pandemic. He added that qualified and experienced kitchen staff has also been tough to come by since 2020.

But throwing a kitchen fee on top of all of that would seem tasteless, the chef added.

Still, he said the 4% protocol is being “fairly well-received,” thanks to such transparency.

“We make it very clear on our menu — it’s actually at the top,” he told The Post, adding that he believes customer awareness “is important.”

Here's How Nueces County Restaurants Scored In Health Inspections For September 2023

School is back in session, so eating out may not being happening as often but you should think twice before picking up take out.

In August, Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District inspectors found rodent droppings on top of boxes of cups, a hole in the ceiling, dirty soda nozzles and other health violations.

The health district describes a food establishment as a place that sells or serves food to the public, which can include bars, hotels, apartments, schools and food trucks. These establishments must get an annual permit and be inspected by the health district.

Inspections are based on a demerit system, in accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services. The Inspection Report checks against 47 different violations, each scoring from 3 to 1.

Out of more than 220 businesses inspected, 36 scored below a 90 and 28 received perfect scores.

Here are the worst and best scores restaurants were given during August 2023.

Joanie Garza, a public health inspector with the city, checks the hood vents in a kitchen during a restaurant inspection June 6, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

6517 Weber Road

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 10 and received an 88. Inspectors found gnats, dirty air conditioner vents, the store being too dirty and utensils stored improperly.

Acapulco was last inspected in November 2022 and scored a 95.

2001 Ayers St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 11 and received a 77. Inspectors found food not being stored at the proper temperature, cellphones on counter where food is prepared, gnats and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.

Agave Jalisco was last inspected in July 2023 and scored an 87.

6702 S. Staples St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 1 and received an 88. Inspectors found raw meat being stored above vegetables, employees not washing their hands before putting on gloves, employees not wearing hairnets and food containers not labeled.

Aloha Pacific Grill was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 94.

5717 Saratoga Blvd.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 28 and received an 83. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, raw beef stored above seafood, gnats and dirty soda nozzles.

Barrio was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 89.

Joanie Garza, a public health inspector with the city, checks the thermometer inside of a refrigerator during a restaurant inspection June 6, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

4826 Crosstown Expressway

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 3 and received an 85. Inspectors found mayo not being refrigerated, a dirty ice machine, dirty slush machines and medicine stored near food.

This was the first inspection for Bingo Taco #4.

1411 Port Ave.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 9 and received a 71. Inspectors found food buildup within reach-in coolers, employees without valid food handler's cards, no certified food manager present and grease buildup on fryers.

Boat 'N Net was last inspected in March 2023 and scored an 81.

4808 Kostoryz Road

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 24 and received an 81. It was also inspected on Aug. 9, Aug. 16 and Aug. 18 and scored a 76, 75 and 78, respectively. Throughout the four inspections, inspectors found food items not being refrigerated, rodents droppings on top of boxes of sugar, salt and cups, dirty counters and a restroom that needed a "deep" cleaning.

Boat 'N Net was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 76.

5657 Old Brownsville Road

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 10 and received a 72. Inspectors found spoiled lemons, rodent droppings, flies and a hole in the ceiling.

Boat 'N Net was last inspected in March 2023 and scored a 77.

6109 McArdle Road

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 15 and received an 89. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, a cook not wearing gloves, dirty coolers and dirty walls.

Burger Beach Hideaway was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 90.

6610 Saratoga Blvd.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 14 and received an 86. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, employees without food handler's cards, no paper towels in the men's and women's restrooms and employees not wearing hairnets.

Burger King was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 93.

6314 Yorktown Blvd.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 14 and received an 83. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, mold buildup in nozzles, rodent droppings in the flour prep area and employees not wearing beard guards.

Cancun was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 90.

1023 Highway 361, Port Aransas

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 17 and received an 83. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, a cook not washing their hands after handling raw meat, a cook not wearing gloves and a cook not wearing a beard guard.

Cancun was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 92.

Joanie Garza, a public health inspector with the city, checks the expiration date on bread during a restaurant inspection on June, 6 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

3700 Ayers St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 18 and received an 89. Inspectors found uncovered food items, dirty refrigerators, broken floors and a broken back door.

Chacho's was last inspected in January 2023 and scored a 91.

10514 Leopard St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 30 and received an 87. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, evidence of insect contamination, mold on air conditioner vents and a leaking toilet in the men's restroom.

China Bear was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 92.

4918 S. Padre Island Drive

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 30 and received an 86. Inspectors found ice cream not covered in the freezer, employees not wearing beard guards, dirty ceiling tiles and grease build up on coolers.

Denny's was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 84.

3429 Leopard St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 3 and received an 81. Inspectors found eggs not being held at the proper temperature, a dirty ice machine, a dirty microwave and employees not wearing beard guards.

El Palenque was last inspected in August 2022 and scored a 94.

5413 S. Staples St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 18 and received an 88. Inspectors found open juice containers not being refrigerated, a dirty ice machine, gnats and holes in the floor.

Gemini was last inspected in March 2023 and scored an 81.

6418 S. Staples St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 15 and received an 88. Inspectors found plates of food being stacked on each other, mold in the ice machine, chicken not being thawed correctly and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.

Hu-Dat was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 92.

5502 Everhart Road

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 28 and received an 83. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, a dirty can opener, food being stacked on each other without lids and food not dated.

Hunan Express was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 84.

1502 Airline Road

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 23 and received an 86. Inspectors found a dirty microwave, improperly thawing chicken, employees without food handler's cards and employees not wearing hairnets.

Jack-in-the-Box was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 82.

1416 Airline Road

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 31 and received an 89. Inspectors found a dirty ice machine, gnats, employees not wearing hairnets and a dirty soda machine.

Jason's Deli was last inspected in June 2023 and scored an 82.

2331 Agnes St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 14 and received an 88. Inspectors found eggs not being held at the proper temperature, a dirty microwave, utensils not being store properly and bins stacked on top of each other without lids on.

La Escondida was last inspected in October 2022 and scored a 92.

227 N. Water St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 3 and received an 80. Inspectors found rotten vegetables, roaches and flies, a dirty microwave and employees not wearing beard guards.

This was the first inspection for La Playa By the Bay.

Joanie Garza, a public health inspector with the city, cleans off a thermometer after checking the temperature of macaroni in warm holding during a restaurant inspection June 6, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

1602 Morgan Ave.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 4 and received an 87. Inspectors found food being cut over a trash can, toxic chemicals stored near food, a dirty tortilla flattener and a dirty microwave.

La Ribera was last inspected in October 2022 and scored a 96.

2914 N. Shoreline Blvd.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 1 and received an 88. Inspectors found dirty soda nozzles, no certified food manager present, employees without food handler's cards and no thermometers in all refrigeration.

The Mess Deck was last inspected in August 2022 and scored a 95.

2033 Airline Road

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 16 and received an 86. Inspectors found roaches and gnats, rodent droppings, employees not wearing beard guards and missing ceiling tiles.

Mi Casita was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 90.

3206 Tiger Lane

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 17 and received an 88. Inspectors found toxic chemicals stored near food, no certified food manager present, employees without food handler's cards and spices not covered in kitchen.

Pavani Express was last inspected in April 2023 and scored a 91.

5009 Greenwood Drive

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 30 and received an 89. Inspectors found dirty trays used for biscuits, gnats, a dirty dining room and grease build up behind the fryers.

Popeye's was last inspected in June 2023 and scored a 90.

7602 S. Staples St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 16 and received an 85. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, employees not washing hands before putting on gloves, toxic chemicals not stored properly and hand washing sink being used improperly.

Subway was last inspected in July 2023 and scored an 88.

2743 Airline Road

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 17 and received an 87. Inspectors found a dirty soda ice dispenser, employees not washing hands before putting on gloves, no certified food manager present and employees not wearing beard guards.

Subway was last inspected in May 2023 and scored an 88.

5617 Saratoga Blvd.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 3 and received a 70. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, employees not washing hands before putting on gloves, employees without a food handler's card and no soap at the hand washing sink for employees.

Taco Palenque was last inspected in May 2023 and scored a 95.

5425 S. Padre Island Drive

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 7 and received an 89. Inspectors found a dirty prep station, rodent droppings, thawing meat improperly and food items not labeled or dated.

Taiwan Restaurant was last inspected in May 2023 and scored an 86.

3002 S. Port Ave.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 8 and received an 84. Inspectors found toxic chemicals store improperly, a dirty reach-in, dishes being washed in the hand washing sink and employees not wearing beard guards.

Taqueria El Charly was last inspected in January 2023 and scored a 100.

3302 Leopard St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 23 and received an 86. Inspectors found items in refrigerator without lids, food stored on floor in walk-in, a dirty microwave and employees not wearing beard guards.

Taqueria La Escondida was last inspected August 23, 2022, and scored an 81.

5606 Everhart Road

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 14 and received an 81. Inspectors found food not being held at the proper temperature, food being stacked on top of each other with a cover, employees not washing hands and employees not wearing hairnets or beard guards.

Taqueria La Tapatia was last inspected in May 2023 and scored an 86.

2561 Agnes St.

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 14 and received an 81. Inspectors found employees not wearing gloves, no certified food manager present, employees eating in the kitchen and a dirty drink cooler.

Tona's was last inspected in March 2023 and scored a 96.

Joanie Garza, a public health inspector with the city, checks an ice cream machine nozzle for cleanliness during a restaurant inspection June 6, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

More: Here's how Nueces County restaurants scored in health inspections for July 2023

More: It's official — Boat 'N Net closes it doors after 62 years

More: Hot Chicken Run opens in Corpus Christi's Southside

John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.Oliva@caller.Com or Twitter @johnpoliva.

Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Rodent droppings, gnats: Which eateries scored bad with health district

Americans Are Losing Faith In The Value Of College. Whose Fault Is That?

With those odds, it is not a surprise that young Americans, especially, are eager to believe that they will be able to thrive in the job market without having to worry about college. Remember that 45 percent of Generation Z respondents this year told pollsters that they believe that a high school diploma will be enough to ensure financial security.

The reality, though, is that in the decade ahead, opportunities for those without a postsecondary credential are projected to shrink even further. It is true that there are still some well-paying jobs that don’t require a degree — plumbers make a median of almost $60,000 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — but the B.L.S. Predicts that fewer than 10,000 new plumbing jobs will be created in the United States between now and 2031. The fastest-growing jobs available to those with only a high school diploma, meanwhile, are mostly low-wage service jobs: home health aides (924,000 new jobs by 2031), food-service workers and waiters (570,000 new jobs), restaurant cooks (419,000 new jobs) and warehouse workers (358,000 new jobs). None of these jobs have a median salary above $31,000 a year.

At the same time, economists expect demand for American college graduates to keep rising faster than colleges can keep up, which means the college wage premium is likely to increase as well. A 2018 report by the consulting firm Korn Ferry projected that by 2030, the American labor market would face a significant shortage of workers with associate and bachelor’s degrees — a shortage of 6.5 million college grads, to be precise. More recently, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, who served as the chief economist of President George W. Bush’s Council of Economic Advisers, wrote, with Tom Lee, a series of papers predicting an even greater shortage: 8.5 million missing American B.A. Holders by the end of the decade.

For the nation’s more affluent families (and their children), the rules of the higher education game are clear, and the benefits are almost always worth the cost. For everyone else, the rules seem increasingly opaque, the benefits are increasingly uncertain and the thought of just giving up without playing seems more appealing all the time.

But just as individual students pay a cost in lost wages when they opt out (or drop out) of college, there is a larger cost when millions of students do so — especially as other nations keep charging ahead. Holtz-Eakin and Lee calculated the price to the American economy of the millions of missing college grads they are projecting: $1.2 trillion in lost economic output by the end of the decade. That is one cost we are likely to bear together, winners and losers alike.