Merced pizza restaurant receives failing grade in recent health inspections

One Merced County business received a failing grade for health and safety during the latest round of inspections by the Merced County Division of Environmental Health last week.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza in Merced, received an “unsatisfactory” rating after having previously received a “good” rating with five violation points in February of 2024. Two other businesses received a “good” rating with perfect scores. One of the businesses to receive a “good” rating showed improvement, after having previously failed an inspection earlier this year.

Businesses receive a “good” rating if they receive zero to six violation points during an inspection. Those businesses that accumulate seven to 13 violation points receive a rating of “satisfactory,” while businesses that accumulate 14 violation points or greater, receive a rating of “unsatisfactory.”

The violations recorded by inspectors can range in severity from minor to major. Major violations are “violations that are very likely to get people sick,” and those violations must be corrected immediately otherwise the business, or parts of the business must close until the issue is corrected, according to the Merced County Division of Environmental Health. Violations deemed to be minor are “violations that are likely to get people sick but does not require the location to close.” If a business fails an inspection, a reinspection is required to take place at a later date.

The latest businesses inspected include:

Mountain Mike’s Pizza, located at 1348 W. Olive Ave., Merced received an “unsatisfactory” rating with 18 violation points on Sept. 11.

• During the inspection, an inspector observed garlic spread left out at room temperature. Garlic spread is to be kept under refrigeration or under time control. The inspector noted that this was a repeat violation. 
• The inspector observed a leak at the bar’s three-compartment sink. This violation is to be repaired. 
• During the inspection, CO2 tanks were found to not be secured in order to prevent falling. These tanks are required to be secured. The inspector noted that this was a repeat violation. 
• Severely dented cans were found by the inspector on a staging/storing rack. The inspector noted that dented cans should be moved to a designated space for either credit or to discard. 

7-Eleven Store, located at 1810 R St., Merced, received a “good” rating with zero violation points on Sept. 11.

• The inspector noted that the location must provide a current food safety manager certificate at the location by Sept. 14. The business previously received an “unsatisfactory” rating during a previous inspection on July 14. 

Bud’s Place, located at 15897 N. Highway 59 in Snelling received a “good” rating with zero violation points on Sept. 12.

In some instances, problems that found by inspectors can be fixed at the time of inspection. In other instances, violations that inspectors deem to be more serious may result in the closure of the business at the time of inspection.

Inspection represent a snapshot of conditions that were observed by health inspectors at the time of their visit and may not indicate a pattern of either good or bad safety practices.

The Merced County Division of Environmental Health maintains a database of restaurant and food inspections, which can be found online at the Merced County Environmental Health website.

This story was originally published September 18, 2025 at 11:34 AM.