Staffers handling raw meat then utensils and using a restroom with no running water were among violations spotted during early January health inspections in Reno.
One restaurant was closed and seven others were cited by Washoe County health inspectors during the period of Jan. 3-9.
Northern Nevada Public Health issues four types of inspection ratings:
- Pass: Fewer than three critical violations during inspection.
- Conditional pass: Three to five critical violations, or the same critical violation found for three consecutive routine inspections, that can be corrected immediately. The facility can stay open, and a reinspection will verify that all violations remain corrected.
- Fail: More than six critical violations that can be corrected during the inspection. The facility can stay open, and a reinspection will verify that all violations remain corrected.
- Close: Critical violations that can’t be remedied during the inspection. Facility is reopened by NNPH after the violations are corrected.
Over 85% of food establishments in Washoe County pass their annual inspection. In addition, NNPH reports that in the 2025 fiscal year, closures or failed inspections accounted for less than 3% of annual inspections.
Reno-Sparks locations that were closed following health inspections
Jimboy’s Tacos
3280 S. Virginia St.
- Cold-holding temperatures: Salsa, pico de gallo, taquitos and cooked rice in the walk-in refrigerator measured at 45-46°F, above the 41°F or below required to control pathogenic bacterial growth.
- Raw animal food storage: Raw ground beef patties were being stored over churros, raw shrimp and ready-to-eat cooked potatoes. Raw animal foods must be stored separately from ready-to-eat foods and other raw animal foods to prevent cross-contamination.
Jimboy’s Tacos received a conditional pass following a subsequent inspection.
Reno-Sparks locations that received a conditional pass
Crazy D’s Hot Chicken
3652 S. Virginia St., Suite C1
- Cold-holding temperatures: Cole slaw and pickles in an ice bath measured 45-48°F, and cole slaw and bags of sliced cabbage in the cold-holidng unit measured 49-50°F, above the 41°F or below required to control pathogenic bacterial growth.
- Toxic chemical storage: Glass cleaner and Lysol spray were stored over single-use articles in the storage area.
Crazy D’s Hot Chicken received a passing score following a subsequent inspection.
D’licious Caffe
581 E. Moana Lane
- Raw animal food storage: Raw shrimp was being stored over mozzarella sticks, whole-muscle beef and chicken breast above pork and ground beef, and ground beef stored above uncooked bacon in the freezer. Raw animal foods must be stored separate from other raw animal foods based on minimum cook temperatures by spacing, or placing in separate, contamination free containers.
- Pests: Evidence of pests was seen in the facility, though no direct contamination was observed at the time of inspection. The facility was using sticky traps under dry-storage shelving in the pantry area. The facility must remove and discontinue the use of sticky traps and take measures to control the presence of pests, including elimination of entry points and removal of pests by a certified pest control operator.
KFC
65 Damonte Ranch Parkway
- Handwashing: The person in charge carried two wiping cloth buckets to the three-compartment sink, dumped out the solution, then took two recently cleaned and sanitized baskets for frying chicken to another area of the facility. Employees must wash hands immediately before engaging in food preparation and when changing tasks to prevent cross-contamination.
- Hot-holding temperatures: Fried chicken measured at 131-134°F. Foods that are time/temperature-controlled for safety must be held at 135°F or above to control pathogenic bacterial growth.
MRK Smoke & Food Market
165 N. Virginia St.
- Sewage and wastewater: The facility’s water had been shut off, and staff did not have access to a restroom on site. The inspector observed what looked like staff still using the restroom even though there was no means to dispose of the waste. According to the operator, the water was shut off for construction within the suite. The facility does not have any open food and is permitted to remain open given that staff no longer use the restroom until water is restored, and to use neighboring restrooms instead.
- Date-marking and disposition:Several premade sandwiches were past their sell-by date. Foods that are time/temperature-controlled for safety must be used or discarded within seven days to prevent bacterial growth.
Roberto’s Taco Shop
1121 Steamboat Parkway, No. 730
- Date-marking and disposition: A large container of shrimp cocktail had no datemark; and other food items including chile relleno and chile colorado, both still being used by the facility, had been prepared nine days prior. Foods that are time/temperature-controlled for safety must be used or discarded within seven days to prevent bacterial growth.
- Raw animal food storage: A portion of a carton of eggs was being stored above buckets of chicken broth in the walk-in cold-holding unit. Raw animal foods must be stored separately from ready-to-eat foods and other raw animal foods to prevent cross-contamination.
Sakana Sushi
7655 Town Square Way, No. 112
- Thawing methods: Frozen fish was thawing in sealed reduced-oxygen packaging. Thawing fish in reduced-oxygen packaging can allow for the formation of botulinum toxin.
- Warewashing: The mechanical dishwasher had no detectable chemical sanitizer on food-contact surfaces after multiple dish cycles.
Tacos La Bufa 2
5255 Longley Lane, No. 135
- Handwashing: An employee handled raw meat and didn’t wash or change gloves before touching utensils or going back to food-handling.
- Date-marking and disposition: Several meat items in the reach-in refrigerator were prepared more than seven days prior to inspection. Foods that are time/temperature-controlled for safety made on site or opened from a commercial kitchen must be used or discarded within seven days to prevent bacterial growth.
Dec. 13-19: Grimy dishwasher, moldy refrigerator among December health violations…