Rodents, insanitary conditions, unwashed dishes caused inspectors to shut down establishments

It was no laughing matter when Rumor’s Restaurant and Comedy Club had to close its doors for two days last week after health inspectors found evidence of rodents inside and a refrigerator and dishwasher that needed to be fixed or replaced.

The decades-old club was one of 39 food service establishments that have been ordered closed since the beginning of the year by provincial inspectors because of various health violations.

Drew Mindell, one of the club’s partners, said Rumor’s was hit by a series of “minor issues, which were rectified.

“We were back up and running on Friday. We’ve been around for 41 years — our track record speaks for itself. This was minor issues, one after another.”

The most recent violation was on Saturday when Cicilia Pizza, a food truck, was cited for not being maintained in good repair and kept clean. It has yet to reopen.

Tandoor House and Commissary, at 1-998 Keewatin St., also remains closed after being cited on June 26 with preparing food under insanitary conditions, failing to keep food contact surfaces clean and sanitized, and not keeping the restaurant in good repair and kept clean.

Another restaurant ordered closed was Mangkok International Cuisine, at 1075 Notre Dame Ave., where Prime Minister Mark Carney met members of the Filipino community during an election campaign stop in early April. It closed for three days, starting June 10, for several reasons, including preparing food in insanitary conditions and failing to take effective measures to stop pests from getting in.

Others included:

Clay Oven, at 240-1600 Kenaston Blvd., for eight days starting May 21, after the presence of rodents was seen and food was prepared under insanitary conditions;

Dawat Takeout and Catering, at 344 Keewatin Street, for five days, for operating a food handling place without a permit;

African Foodways Market, at 1751 Pembina Hwy., for 19 days, after the presence of rodents was discovered; and

Jade Inn Chinese Food, at 535 Osborne St., from April 9 to 11 after unapproved dish washing facilities were found with utensils not being washed, rinsed and sanitized as often as necessary.

A provincial spokesman said health inspectors do everything they can to try to prevent a restaurant from having to close.

”Public health inspectors continue to inspect facilities throughout the province and use a progressive enforcement model with tools, such as education and warnings before charging an establishment,” the spokesman said.

“Typically, closures will only be ordered for critical violations that may cause concern to public health.”

The spokesman said there is one violation that results in instant closure.

“Incidents on the health protection report that refer to the inability to properly sanitize dishes require immediate closure because it takes further action and time on the part of the operator to ensure proper dish washing capabilities are restored.”

The full list of closures can be seen at: wfp.to/2025closures.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca