Health Department Shuts Down Soul Food Restaurant for the Second Time in 90 Days

The Southern Nevada Health District again shut down M&M Soul Food Cafe at 2211 Las Vegas Blvd. S. on Sept. 17, its second closure in the past 90 days, after a 33-demerit inspection with seven violations that were exactly the same as previous inspections.

Violations included improper hand washing, dirty kitchenware in clean storage, exposed insulation in the freezer, and 11 bags of cut collard greens held at unsafe temperatures. Inspectors witnessed a food handler touching a trash can with gloved hands, then touching ready-to-eat bread with soiled gloves. They found mold in the ice machine, insects in the bulk flour, and a grade card unposted.

While the restaurant returned to a zero-demerit A grade on Sept. 19, it is now on the Health District’s administrative process. According the KTNV, that means:

”Environmental Health staff spend considerable time in facilities when a downgrade occurs, to educate staff and problem solve. This includes reviewing a facility’s procedures to identify how methods can be changed or implemented, demonstrating how to do tasks correctly, and providing ongoing education. Unfortunately, some facilities are unable to gain compliance and continue to exhibit a pattern of out of control risk factors for foodborne illness. If this pattern continues we implement a progressive process designed to further the facility’s education, as well as include increased regulatory requirements.”

The health department closed the restaurant on July 19 for gross, unsanitary conditions and repeat violations during a failed re-inspection. On June 11, the restaurant earned a 28-demerit C grade from the health department, spurring the re-inspection that uncovered multi-generational cockroaches in the kitchen. Then it earned a 36-demerit C grade on Aug. 22 after an employee filed a complaint with the health department.

The health department shut down the main dish room at Paris Las Vegas after inspectors found a multi-generational cockroach infestation on Sept. 17. KTNV reports that the dish room is now “placed in the administrative process due to repeat non-compliance with the health code.” It returned to a zero-demerit A grade on Sept. 24.

The health district shut down Taqueria El Buen Pastor at 525 E. Bonanza Road on Sept. 18 for an issue with its ventilation system, an imminent health hazard. It reopened with a zero-demerit A grade on Sept. 19.

Also shut down, the food truck Tejuinos Don Raul after inspectors found no water and no refrigeration, both imminent health hazards, on Sept. 19. Also spotted, multiple flies in the food prep area. The food truck remains closed.

The health district conducts unannounced inspections at least once a year. Inspections are posted online about five days after the inspection. The Southern Nevada Health District routinely shuts down restaurants that receive more than 40 demerits. Restaurants have the option of requesting a re-inspection before the next scheduled inspection.

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