Health Department Shuts Down Five Restaurants Across Las Vegas

The Southern Nevada Health District shut down Yum Cha, the dim sum restaurant at 4945 W. Tropicana Avenue after health inspectors found a rat infestation on February 6. The routine inspection revealed “rat droppings and urine on liners that cooked dumplings stored in dim sum pots; on food packages, containers, and shelves; on prep table shelves where cooking racks are stored; and in containers of utensils including rolling pins and tongs,” KTNV reports. Even the exit door handle had rat droppings on it. The rats left gnaw marks and droppings on bags of flour. Old food on the floor and excessive grease on equipment added to the problem. The restaurant reopened on February 14 with a three-demerit A grade.

The health department shut down Kentucky Fried Chicken at 10510 S. Eastern Ave. on February 5 after health inspectors found waste water pooling around the walk-in cooler. The health department reopened the restaurant with zero demerits the same day, but “the operator told inspectors they’re officially closing the store on February 24,” KTNV reports.

The health department closed Belly Bombz, the Korean-inspired chicken restaurant at 467 E. Silverado Ranch Boulevard, when the restaurant was without hot water. Someone filed a complaint with the health department, claiming the restaurant remained open despite a broken refrigerator and no hot water. An employee used a trash can as a stand to hold raw chicken as well. The restaurant reopened on the same day with zero demerits.

The health department closed the former Sizzle Hut, now called Holy Shrimp Cajun Seafood Fusion, at 7815 S. Rainbow Boulevard after a routine inspection on February 5 uncovered 41 demerits, one more than required to close a restaurant. When health inspectors returned on February 6, they found the health department sign announcing the closing torn down and staff was prepping food without permission from SNHD. The health department issued demerits for dirty cooking equipment, mold in the ice machine, utensils stored on the follow, and dirty walls. Expired foods included sauce dated March 2019, truffle butter, and an unknown meat product. Four employees, including the new owner, did not possess a health card. Even dishes such as curry sauce and rice were held at dangerous temperatures. The seafood restaurant reopened on February 7 with a three-demerit A grade.

The health department also closed Bowlology, the healthy restaurant at 10870 W. Charleston Boulevard, on February 6 when inspectors found the restaurant had no hot water. It reopened on February 7 with a zero-demerit A grade.

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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