Mexican Restaurant Reopens After Closure by City Health Inspectors

A small Pasadena Mexican restaurant has reopened after two days of closures ordered by a City of Pasadena Health inspector.

Mi Rinconcita Azteca, at 687 N. Raymond Ave., was closed from Jan. 7 to 9 after an inspector reported finding cockroaches, improperly stored meat, and an accumulation of food debris and grease near the stove/grill.

According to Pasadena Health Dept. records, the inspector saw four live cockroaches and cockroach droppings in various locations of the prep sink area, and in the dry storage room.

The report said the inspector also saw raw breaded steak stored next to cooked pork in a freezer, which is prohibited to prevent cross-contamination.

The restaurant was ordered closed until the kitchen was cleaned and a pest control representative treated and exterminated the vermin, according to the report.

Approval to reopen was granted only after the condition that no live cockroaches could be found and the infestation has been eliminated.