Local NewsDirty Dining

Actions

Goong Korean BBQ, El Rincon and La Favorita market on Dirty Dining

IMG_5238.jpg
IMG_5242.jpg
IMG_5233.jpg
IMG_5288.jpg
IMG_5243.jpg
IMG_5241.jpg
IMG_5234.jpg
IMG_5291.jpg
IMG_5236.jpg
IMG_3478.jpg
IMG_5235.jpg
IMG_5289.jpg
IMG_5233.jpg
IMG_5292.jpg
IMG_5189.jpg
IMG_5190.jpg
IMG_5191.jpg
IMG_5192.jpg
IMG_5193.jpg
IMG_5194.jpg
IMG_5195.jpg
IMG_5196.jpg
IMG_5197.jpg
IMG_5198.jpg
IMG_5199.jpg
IMG_5200.jpg
IMG_5201.jpg
IMG_5202.jpg
IMG_5203.jpg
IMG_5204.jpg
IMG_5205.jpg
IMG_5206.jpg
IMG_5207.jpg
IMG_5208.jpg
IMG_5209.jpg
IMG_5210.jpg
IMG_5211.jpg
IMG_5212.jpg
IMG_5214.jpg
IMG_5213.jpg
IMG_5215.jpg
IMG_5216.jpg
IMG_5217.jpg
IMG_5218.jpg
IMG_5219.jpg
IMG_5221.jpg
IMG_5222.jpg
IMG_5223.jpg
IMG_5224.jpg
IMG_5225.jpg
IMG_5226.jpg
IMG_5227.jpg
IMG_5228.jpg
IMG_5229.jpg
IMG_5230.jpg
IMG_5231.jpg
IMG_5232.jpg
IMG_5234.jpg
IMG_5236.jpg
IMG_5237.jpg
IMG_5238.jpg
IMG_5239.jpg
IMG_5240.jpg
IMG_5241.jpg
IMG_5242.jpg
IMG_5243.jpg
IMG_5246.jpg
IMG_5247.jpg
IMG_5248.jpg
IMG_5249.jpg
IMG_5250.jpg
IMG_5251.jpg
IMG_5252.jpg
IMG_5253.jpg
IMG_5254.jpg
IMG_5255.jpg
IMG_5256.jpg
IMG_5257.jpg
IMG_3529.jpg
IMG_3530.jpg
IMG_3531.jpg
IMG_3532.jpg
IMG_3533.jpg
IMG_3534.jpg
IMG_3536.jpg
IMG_3545.jpg
IMG_3331.jpg
IMG_3346.jpg
IMG_3345.jpg
IMG_3347.jpg
IMG_3372.jpg
IMG_3371.jpg
IMG_3373.jpg
IMG_3374.jpg
IMG_3375.jpg
IMG_3376.jpg
IMG_3377.jpg
IMG_3380.jpg
IMG_3383.jpg
IMG_3431.jpg
IMG_3433.jpg
IMG_5287.jpg
IMG_5284.jpg
IMG_5283.jpg
IMG_5281.jpg
IMG_5280.jpg
IMG_5279.jpg
IMG_5276.jpg
IMG_5274.jpg
IMG_5273.jpg
IMG_5272.jpg
IMG_5271.jpg
IMG_5270.jpg
IMG_5268.jpg
IMG_5266.jpg
IMG_5263.jpg
IMG_5262.jpg
IMG_5261.jpg
IMG_5260.jpg
IMG_5256.jpg
IMG_5255.jpg
IMG_5254.jpg
IMG_5253.jpg
IMG_5251.jpg
IMG_5250.jpg
IMG_5249.jpg
IMG_5247.jpg
IMG_5246.jpg
IMG_5245.jpg
IMG_5244.jpg
IMG_3517.jpg
Posted at 11:04 PM, Jan 13, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-19 18:41:17-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — It goes without saying that this is a really tough time for restaurants with the extension of the state-wide pause and capacity limits.

We at 13 Action News feel it's important to support those doing it right, but just as crucial to call out those doing it wrong.

At Goon Korean BBQ, a sign on the door says no one can come in without a mask, yet inspectors found a mask-less employee working in the kitchen.

LAST WEEK'S DIRTY DINING: Dirty Dining's year-end roundup

Goong is the second restaurant in a strip mall on Rainbow Boulevard and Robindale Road to be featured on Dirty Dining.

It got a 36-demerit "C" grade on Dec. 29.

Inspectors found employees preparing cabbage for fermented kimchi outside. It had to be thrown in the garbage.

The restaurant was also vacuum packaging raw meat for sale and holding it for up to two weeks.

Cases of fresh produce and other foods were stored on the floor.

A food handler eating in the kitchen returned to customer food prep without washing hands.

Plates of open employee food sat on a prep table with food being prepared for customers.

There was also a plate of employee food on top of a soup well and open employee coffee on the grill.

A rainbow of mold slimed the ice machine.

Pots were being washed but not sanitized.

The insect zapper was directly above open food utensils and the beer tap.

And there were repeat violations for soaking rice in the handwash sink and no hot water in restrooms.

The owner wasn't available for an on-camera interview due to personal matters but sent a statement saying, "As a result of the inspection we have corrected all of the violations mentioned in the report and are awaiting re-inspection. To be honest, we have always tried to maintain a clean environment. However, we received the "C" downgrade due to a couple of maintenance violations. It's been our fault for not staying on top of health regulations and we will ensure that it will be our top priority. From now on, the violations we made will be a lesson and we will do our best to provide safe and healthy food at all times in a clean environment and follow health regulations."

********************

It's hard to imagine a more prolific cockroach infestation than the one health inspectors describe at El Rincon Mexican grill.

The restaurant on Desert Inn and McLeod was a supporting actor in last week's Dirty Dining and it returns this week for a repeat performance.

El Rincon failed re-inspection on Dec. 29 after inspectors found it operating while its permit was suspended for a previous imminent health hazard.

The inspection report details repeat violations for "Foreign objects in food products." Those foreign objects were cockroach legs and wings inside the ice machine water tray and dead roaches, egg sacks, and roach feces on and in the ice machine, on outlet covers, inside the oven, and on to-go boxes, cups, and plates.

There were live roaches, roach eggs, and larvae in the dry storage area, inside the heat lamp above the pass-through window, and nymphs were actively hatching on the floor next to the hand sink.

Excessive grease build-up and old food throughout the kitchen didn't help matters.

We were unable to reach anyone for comment as multiple calls to the restaurant were not answered.

El Rincon is still closed (as of Jan. 13).

********************

From Dirty Dining to Gross Grocers, we turn to La Favorita Ranch market on Vegas and Decatur where the meat and bakery departments were shut down on Dec. 28 for the imminent health hazard of no hot water.

One food handler didn't even bother to wash their hands at all after coming in from an outside storage area.

There were numerous raw meats at unsafe temperatures due to a malfunctioning fridge--a repeat violation that led to lots of food going into the garbage.

The cutting board between deli slicers was stained and unsanitary.

Dirty kitchenware and knives were stored as clean.

The meat case was dirty with old meat debris.

And equipment doors, handles, covers and panels were missing, dirty or broken.

In the bakery area, inspectors found fruit was not being washed before being prepped and ham was kept beyond its seven-day shelf life.

La Favorita declined to comment due to a language barrier.

Re-inspections on Dec. 29 returned the market's "A" grades with five demerits for the meat department and eight for the bakery.

Click here to see the health report for Goong Korean BBQ.

Click here to see the health report for El Rincon Mexican Grill.

Click here to see the health report for La Favorita - Meat.

Click here to see the health report for La Favorita - Bakery.