Mamita's Stays Closed After Health District Re-Inspection

A quick update on Mamita’s Mexican & Cuban Food, the Downtown restaurant shut down by the Southern Nevada Health District on April 5 after a routine inspection found an astonishing 52 demerits.

On April 6, inspectors returned to re-inspect the restaurant, and it remained closed with 32 demerits. Inspectors found that food was improperly cooled and not at proper temperatures during storage and display. Food was also not protected from potential contamination and kitchenware and surfaces were not properly washed, rinsed, sanitized and air dried among the demerits.

Last Thursday, inspectors found spoiled and contaminated food, food that wasn’t properly cooled, food stored at improper temperatures and so much more. Even the thermometers weren’t working properly, and weren't during the re-inspection, and the restaurant’s previous grade cards weren’t visible and were not during the re-inspection.

Mamita’s caused a stir among the food truck crowd when owners Maria and Jose Calvino spoke out about food trucks taking away their business on weekends. "During the week we are very slow," Maria Calvino told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "The weekend is when we make our money. Then all these vendors come in and take part of our revenue, and I don't think it is fair."

Their testimony before the Planning Commission convinced the board to widen a proposed buffer zone from any bricks and mortar restaurant from 150 feet to 1,320, which would essentially eliminate food trucks from Downtown Las Vegas. The proposal is now in the hands of the Las Vegas City Council.

SNHD shuts down restaurants that receive more than 40 demerits.
· Mamita’s Closed by Health District with 52 Demerits [~ELV~]
· All Coverage of Mamita’s Mexican & Cuban Food [~ELV~]
· All DOH Chronicles [~ELV~]
Mamita's Mexican & Cuban Food [Photo: Erwin U/Yelp]