Roaches, refrigeration and repeat offenders. That's the theme in this week's dirty dining.
From neighborhood restaurants to food trucks to a hotel-casino on the strip, Darcy Spears reveals restaurant closures across the valley and tonight, seven is the unlucky number.
Of our seven imminent health hazard closures, Pho Little Saigon on Eastern and Serene got the most demerits with 33.
It was shut down August 23 for a multi-generational cockroach infestation and reopened August 29 with a zero-demerit A.
Pho Little Saigon's owner didn't want to go on camera. Off camera he said they'd just had pest control treatment the day before the Health District came and the inspector saw the aftermath, which he claimed was just a few lingering roaches under the grill and in floor drains.
The inspector also noted dirt and debris on the kitchen floor, grease built up on the sides of equipment, a container of moldy strawberries in sauce and expired meat that was nine days old.
The meat slicer, knives and magnetic knife bar were dirty with food debris.
And a food handler touched ready-to-eat bean sprouts with bare hands.
The said he fired that employee and that any other violations the health inspector saw were quickly corrected.
There was another multi-generational cockroach infestation--this one on the strip at the Luxor. The banquet and room service dish room was shut down August 23 when inspectors found roaches along the walls and under the ware wash machines.
The Health District returned the next day to find less pest activity but more progress and repairs still needed to be made. The Luxor got it's A grade back on August 31.
They sent a statement saying, "Our operations are held to the highest standards and we make upholding those standards a top priority. Clearly, those standards were not upheld in this instance. We immediately took action to resolve the issue to ensure that this area continues operating with its A-rating from the Health District."
There were two closures August 22 and 23 for lack of adequate refrigeration and both are Dirty Dining repeat offenders: Romano's Macaroni Grill on Stephanie and Sunset and Nuevo Vallarta--a food truck that was servicing workers at the Raiders stadium construction site when inspectors shut it down.
Macaroni Grill was shut down August 22. Inspectors found the make tables stocked and all the food was at unsafe temperatures. It reopened later the same day with a zero-demerit A. The manager there had no comment on the closure.
Nuevo Vallarta's #2 truck was shut down August 23. Raw fish, chicken, ham, sausage and cheese were all found at unsafe temperatures. The truck reopened the next day with a zero-demerit A. We were unable to reach anyone for comment.
Taste My Love Cafe on Decatur and Cheyenne was shut down August 21 after failing re-inspection from a previous C downgrade.
Inspectors found homemade ranch dressing that was nearly a month old, meatloaf and pork ribs that were nearly three weeks old, and expired black-eyed peas and cooked peppers.
They were also using a red-tagged make table that couldn't hold food at a safe temperature.
No one from Taste My Love Cafe responded to phone messages. The Health District says the restaurant owner is choosing to stay closed for another week.
Los Antojos Mexican restaurant on Eastern and Sahara was shut down August 21, also for lack of adequate refrigeration. It reopened August 23 with a zero-demerit A. There was no one available for comment.
Carefree Catering is making its fourth appearance on Dirty Dining. This time, their #1 truck was shut down on August 20 for lack of adequate refrigeration. There was a lot of food at unsafe temperatures and no sanitizer whatsoever on the truck.
The owner said there was nothing wrong with the equipment. It was the cook who failed to turn on the generator. The cook was fired that day and the truck reopened the next day with a zero-demerit A.
Documents from the Southern Nevada Health District
Weekly restaurant downgrade report
Luxor Banquet Room Servicedishroom closure
Luxor Banquet Room Servicedishroom survey
Pho Little Saigon inspection report
Nuevo Vallarta Hot Truck inspection report
Nuevo Vallarta Hot Truck reinspection report
Los Antojos reinspection report
Taste My Love inspection report
