North Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- How can a restaurant operate with no running water? Not in a safe or sanitary way, that's for sure.One restaurant tried to do it anyway, and that landed them at the top of the health district's demerit list in this week's Dirty Dining report.57 demerits, including an imminent health hazard, earned Taqueria El Palenque on East Lake Mead that tell-tale pink slip.The health district shut the place down on April 30 and it is still closed. When inspectors were there, they found the restaurant had been operating for nearly a week with no running water. That got us to wondering what they did to keep things clean. How could employees wash their hands? How could they wash dishes? They couldn't even flush a toilet.The health district's pictures show the bathroom sink was a bucket with a Styrofoam cup. There was another bucket next to the toilet. Employees were washing their hands with room temperature water in large pots and a trashcan.Inspectors didn't know where the water came from.When we stopped by, Darcy Spears asked, "Do you know if anybody who runs the place is here?"A construction crew chief answered, "No, he should be coming next week."We found a construction crew wanting to work, but waiting for payment."They're shut down. They took everything out of there and we're still trying to bill them, too."The place was obviously out of commission with tables turned on end, signs on the floor, spices and canned sauces lined up outside.And lots of trash.We tried calling the owner, but got no response.When health inspectors were there, they found fruit fermenting in jars at room temperature, which earned the place a cease and desist order because they're not permitted to do that.There were packaged desserts from an unknown source, including expired cheesecake. Spoiled mushrooms were found in the walk-in. And there were moldy, rotting peppers.Potentially hazardous foods in the temperature danger zone included chorizo, cactus salad and salsa. All had to be tossed out.They even had to throw out their ice. Uncovered food included a whole fish that's totally unprotected from contamination. Heavily soiled dishes were stored as clean.Other imminent health hazard closures include Sin City Beverage Truck for having no hot water.And Mother's Grill on Spring Mountain for repeat violations including food at unsafe temperatures and undated food.Both Sin City Beverage Truck and Mother's Grill are back open with A grades.
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