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Jan 25, 2024

Walnut Creek Restaurant Ordered To Close Amid Cockroach Infestation

WALNUT CREEK, CA — A Walnut Creek Mexican Food restaurant was ordered to shut

WALNUT CREEK, CA — A Walnut Creek Mexican Food restaurant was ordered to shut down until it addresses major health violations, including the presence of more than 100 cockroaches, according to documents filed by Contra Costa County Environmental Health.

During an inspection June 2 at Mariachi Mexican Grill at 2054 Treat Blvd. B in the Countrywood Shopping Center, a health official saw multiple live and dead cockroaches at various life stages and egg casings in the facility, including:

The facility was ordered to remain closed; cease and desist all food preparation; and eliminate the cockroach infestation by taking several steps.

"Contra Costa Health (CCH) does not yet have a timeline for Mariachi Grill to reopen," County Spokesperson Brittany Goldman wrote in an email response to Patch. "CCH is working with the restaurant to ensure violations are resolved."

The inspector who visited the business noted the facility will require cleaning, additional pest control inspection/service as required; and adequate contact time to eliminate the cockroach infestation before cleaning/sanitizing all food contact surfaces and scheduling a re-inspection appointment prior to re-opening.

According to the health inspector, an employee said the restaurant was serviced by pest control on May 25 but was not able to provide copies of recent pest control reports.

Prior to the June 2 inspection, Mariachi Mexican Grill was given a conditional pass to remain open for business after cockroaches were found in the facility a few weeks prior during a May 18 inspection.

During that visit, a health official saw two dead adult and three juvenile cockroaches on a wet floor under a three-compartment ware wash sink. No other cockroaches — dead or alive — were observed inside the facility during the May 18 inspection. The employee told the health official that the restaurant's tortilla supplier brought a box of tortillas with cockroaches into the facility within the last month. The employee also said the restaurant receives routine pest control inspections and service from licensed pest control operators contracted through the property manager. The employee was not able to provide recent pest control reports.

Following the June 2 inspection, the closure notice was reviewed with the person in charge, and a red "closed" placard was posted near the front door of the business. Tamper-proof tape was used, and penalties will be charged if the placard is tampered with or removed, according to county health officials.