LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — David Wong Pan Asian restaurant on Durango near Desert Inn got a 38-demerit C grade on its March 5 inspection.
Many violations are just the type of thing you don't want to see, more now than ever.
When we put our Dirty Dining reports together, we typically walk into the restaurant, camera rolling, to ask for their explanation about the violations.
But we're doing things a little differently for now.
To practice social distancing, we're calling instead of first showing up in person and asking restaurant owners and managers if they'll agree to set up an on-camera interview.
David Wong wouldn't go on camera to discuss violations at his restaurant, like a bag of moldy eggplant in the cooler or pink and black mold in the ice machine, a food handler was seen cutting green beans from produce bags without washing them, and employee beverages and medication on make tables.
Also, the person in charge had a relative helping out in kitchen with no food card to show she had any food safety training. She left when the inspector arrived, but was still caught.
Other violations included no sanitizer in open food prep areas, a wiping cloth with no sanitizer being used to clean the make table, improper handwashing and bare-hand contact with food.
Wong said he understands that's the stuff of utmost importance right now and he's addressed it all already.
Inspectors also saw a food handler peel mango for squid salad using bare hands. That had to be thrown out.
So did lots of food in the temperature danger zone including raw eggs, rice noodles, sprouts, and cooked pumpkin, potatoes and carrots.
Wong says he has talked to his staff and re-educated them on the importance of proper sanitation and that all the violations have been fixed.
He says they're hoping for re-inspection on Friday and expect to get their A grade back.
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Villa Pizza inside Santa Fe Station on Rancho near the 95 was shut down March 5 due to the imminent health hazard of inadequate refrigeration.
Just about all the food in the steam-and-make tables was at unsafe temperatures. Both pieces of equipment were red-tagged.
Food in the temperature danger zone also included cooked spaghetti, baked ziti and seven types of pizza.
Inspectors also saw improper handwashing and not enough sanitizer in the prepared buckets.
Villa Pizza was back to a 3-demerit A grade the next day, March 6.
Our call for comment was not returned.
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Doner Kebab Express at Neonopolis on Fremont St. was also shut down for an imminent health hazard on March 2 due to sewage backing up onto kitchen floors in an active food prep area due to a clogged floor drain.
Food handlers were unable to properly wash their hands because the hand sink floor drain couldn't properly drain.
The owner said a glove got stuck in the drain and the drain itself was old. They used the short closure as a opportunity to clean and upgrade.
Other violations include gyro meat being served at unsafe temperatures and yogurt sauce in the temperature danger zone.
Doner Kebab Express was back to a zero-demerit A grade on March 3
Click here to see health report for David Wong Pan Asian.
Click here to see health report for Villa Pizza.
Click here to see health report for Doner Kebab Express.
