Sonic Drive-In in Las Vegas closed for multiple health code violations
A Sonic Drive-In, on North Nellis Boulevard in east Las Vegas, was closed earlier this week by the Southern Nevada Health District following an inspection that found several health code violations. The most noteworthy violations concerned “gross unsanitary occurrences or conditions, including pest infestation.”
In a statement provided to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a representative for the health district said:
“In response to a complaint about a pest infestation, the Southern Nevada Health District investigated the Sonic Drive-In at 377 N. Nellis Blvd., in Las Vegas, on August 4. Investigators observed multigenerational cockroaches throughout the facility, and issued a closure of the facility. The facility has not yet reopened.”
Roaches, live and dead
The inspection report, also provided to the RJ, goes into more detail on the infestation. The inspector observed multiple live roaches (from nymph to adult) behind the ice machine, a live roach underneath the toppings table, a live roach crawling toward the soft-serve machine and numerous dead roaches in corners.
The inspector also found standing water and pans of standing water underneath and behind the ice machine and heavy grease accumulation behind the deep fryers — all “conditions that allow the harboring or feeding of pests.”
Typically, following a closure, restaurants are allowed to pay fees and submit to a reinspection, sometimes the next day. In this case, the Sonic will remain closed until the cockroach infestation has been eliminated and that elimination has been verified by the health district, according to the inspection report.
More violations
The other violations concerned chemicals being properly identified, stored and used; food contact surfaces of equipment being properly cleaned and sanitized; utensils, equipment, single-use items and linens being properly handled, stored and dispensed; and the restaurant being maintained and in sound condition. In all, the violations led to nine demerits.
Public inspection records dating to 2005 show this Sonic restaurant has mainly received inspection grades of A or B, with a handful of C and Pass grades but no previous closures. The RJ was unable to reach the restaurant for comment.
Cones block access to the drive-thru lane and to the car stalls at the Sonic. A trash can was deployed among the cones with a hand-lettered sign reading “We’re Closed” taped to the mouth of the can.
Contact Johnathan L. Wright at jwright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @JLWTaste on Instagram.
