If you went to public school, you probably knew at least one student who screwed up long enough to get a begrudging promotion to the next grade or the real world despite a lack of any demonstrable merit. If you're reading this on your phone while you hang out in the Jiffy Lube bathroom on the clock, you might have been one of those people. And in case you're curious, Kim Hai is the restaurant version of you.

Kim Hai's (12810 Gulf Freeway) first inspection didn't go well. The restaurant received a temporary closure order on July 30 after inspectors found eight violations, including equipment incapable of being maintained, in poor repair or toxic; kitchenware and food-contact surfaces not sanitized frequently enough; effective pest control measures not utilized; sticky insect traps not set up in a way that prevents exposure to food, linens, equipment or utensils; food, equipment, linens, utensils or single-service articles not protected from pesticide contamination (corrected on site); and spoiled or mislabeled food (corrected on site).

Kim Hai got a second shot the next day. It went better, but not so much better that inspectors put their 'CLOSURE ORDER' forms away. This time, Kim Hai was temporarily shuttered for equipment incapable of being maintained, in poor repair or toxic; kitchenware and food-contact surfaces not sanitized frequently enough; dirty non-food-contact surfaces; and "conditions of premises affording the harborage/feeding of insects/rodents." At this point, a jet-lagged Mitt Romney is looking at Kim Hai's owners and saying, "Dang, rough past few days, guys."

But sweet Jesus, graduation day was nigh. At some point later that day, Kim Hai's management had figured out how to sanitize stuff, thrown out or repaired their unacceptable equipment and cleaned all their non-food-contact surfaces. Yes, in another inspection report labeled 7/31, the restaurant was apparently allowed to reopen. The conditions there still afforded the harborage of insects and rodents (which is some phrasing that begs to be preceded by "Whereas,"), but after three inspections we'd probably be willing to let some E. coli go if we got to move on down the road.

Good news for the East End. Bohemeo's (708 Telephone) only earned one violation during an inspection last week: single-use articles not handled, displayed or dispensed in a way that prevents contamination.

Things aren't so good on the north side, though. The Laredo Taqueria at 6904 Irvington earned nine violations, though it avoided a citation. Issues included dirty non-food-contact surfaces; no Food Dealer's Permit (corrected on site, somehow); employee lacking proper hair restraint (corrected on site); equipment incapable of being maintained, in poor repair or toxic; potentially hazardous food stored at improper temperatures (corrected on site).

Finally, Covenant House (1111 Lovett) has mislabeled or spoiled food (corrected on site); equipment incapable of being maintained, in poor repair or toxic; and potentially hazardous food held at improper temperatures. Beats hanging out in front of Burger King or being in a Soul Asylum video. Shit, we need to call Mom.