The Alameda County Environmental Health Department closed Alberto's Cantina, a popular Mexican cuisine restaurant and bar in downtown Pleasanton, on Wednesday after an inspector found cockroaches during a routine assessment, according to officials.
The restaurant at 435 Main St. was still red-tagged as of Friday night after failing a follow-up inspection earlier that day due to the presence of several newly hatched cockroaches (also known as nymphs), according to Cynthia Bartus, supervising specialist of the county's Environmental Protection Division.
Alberto’s will remain closed until the major violation for vermin is corrected and cleared by the health department, according to Bartus. The owners could try to pursue another assessment with an on-call inspector over the weekend or wait until Monday for regular county staffing.
“This is an unfortunate circumstance, and while we do not want business operators to be impacted, our mandate is the protection of public health,” she said. “Food facilities must be maintained in a sanitary condition. The presence of vermin in any food facility can contaminate food and utensils and is considered an imminent health hazard which warrants closure.”
The routine inspection on Wednesday, which apparently occurred one day after a pest control company treated the restaurant, resulted in the discovery of “numerous dead cockroaches” and one live nymph onsite, a major violation that prompted the forced health closure, Bartus said.
There were dead cockroaches that contaminated the bar ice as well as were found on shelves in the kitchen, bar, dry storage area and restrooms, and those surfaces were not cleaned and sanitized, according to Bartus.
The inspector also found over a dozen minor violations, citing problems such as potential cross-contamination of uncovered food, cold food temperatures above 41 degrees Fahrenheit, no paper towels or soap at the kitchen hand-washing sink, possible use of an unapproved pesticide and operating permit not posted in public view, she said.
A county inspector returned to reassess the restaurant on Friday for possible reopening but discovered several live nymphs in the food preparation and hot water heater areas, Bartus said. As a result, Alberto’s remains closed.
The restaurant could also face another issue related to the red placard itself.
The county received a report on Friday morning from a resident saying the red tag was not visible, according to Bartus.
The red placard was also not affixed to the window or front door facing the street around 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. Friday, but it was in plain view on the window by 1:45 p.m.
The county inspector arrived onsite around noon to find the red placard facing outward as it should have been, and it was unclear to them if it had been moved, Bartus said.
It is a violation to remove, obscure or tamper with the placards posted by county health officials, and in this case, the red-tagged notice needs to be visible in plain view of the public at the main door at all times, according to Bartus.
Comments
Pleasanton Heights
on Dec 20, 2019 at 2:40 pm
on Dec 20, 2019 at 2:40 pm
That's it? Dead cockroaches in an ancient building. Not a big deal. I can't think of a restaurant I worked in that didn't have them. Unlikely they were in the food. They love empty produce boxes, and any kind of paper. I'm not a fan of their food, but this doesn't sound like a big deal to me.
Southeast Pleasanton
on Dec 20, 2019 at 4:59 pm
on Dec 20, 2019 at 4:59 pm
So, you think roach eggs in your softdrink or taco salad are ok?
Shouldn't they get rid of the roaches before they open and start serving food?
I never order roaches and never want to be served roaches.
Wouldn't you feel better eating at this restaurant if you knew that they got rid of ALL their roaches, not just the living ones?
Laguna Vista
on Dec 20, 2019 at 5:35 pm
on Dec 20, 2019 at 5:35 pm
I would think that the windy and rainy weather could have contributed.
Registered user
Bridle Creek
on Dec 20, 2019 at 6:17 pm
Registered user
on Dec 20, 2019 at 6:17 pm
Good...they tried ripping me off by increasing a tip for takeout that was much more than I gave. I noticed the increase on my bank statement so I went over there to confront them.
After showing the owner what had happened he very casually gave me my money back and never said a word about it. No apology...nothing.
Never went back there again.
Dan
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Dec 20, 2019 at 7:32 pm
on Dec 20, 2019 at 7:32 pm
DKHSK:
Thank you for sharing.
Glad you and your family survived to tell the story.
Pleasanton Meadows
on Dec 20, 2019 at 7:50 pm
on Dec 20, 2019 at 7:50 pm
Before the Mayflower, there were no cockroaches in America.
There was no diabetes in America.
There was no STD in America.
The Brits brought everything with them to America, including our founding Fathers.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Dec 20, 2019 at 8:16 pm
on Dec 20, 2019 at 8:16 pm
I hope everybody realizes cockroaches are naturally occurring in the world. They live in trees and under old buildings and everywhere else. It's a constant fight for any restaurant worldwide to battle this bug. I called the health department myself today and found out they found only two live cockroaches and a few dead ones in the restaurant. They could have come in on a food delivery truck or the laundry service truck, who knows? Out of a tree out front? Either way I know this restaurant well and I've eaten there for over 20 years and I've personally seen the kitchen many times as I know the owners. There's not many kitchens as clean as Albertos. They seriously clean it every single day and they pull everything off the walls to clean. Jeremy, would you please rework the story and explain how many cockroaches were found and I don't believe it has ever been closed down before in the history of their restaurant? Why don't you reveal the fact of how many homeless people around downtown Pleasanton and the surrounding area are committing crimes? That's more important news isn't it? The owners are going to stay closed until Monday to make double sure that all the cockroaches are eliminated before they reopen. That's how good these guys are! Can't wait to go back and have a great meal with great people.
Pleasanton Meadows
on Dec 20, 2019 at 8:38 pm
on Dec 20, 2019 at 8:38 pm
Cockroaches do not grow on trees!
Cock roaches do not inhabit trees!
Downtown
on Dec 20, 2019 at 9:13 pm
on Dec 20, 2019 at 9:13 pm
@Common Sense wrote “ I hope everybody realizes cockroaches are naturally occurring in the world. They live in trees and under old buildings and everywhere else. .... There's not many kitchens as clean as Albertos. They seriously clean it every single day and they pull everything off the walls to clean.”
I dunno. Seems that saying cockroaches are “naturally occurring in the world” is a rather weak excuse for a restaurant failing a health inspection due to both dead and living cockroaches found in the kitchen. Aren’t cockroaches also “naturally occurring in the world” for all of the hundreds of other restaurants and eating establishments in Pleasanton that pass their health inspections?
Pleasanton Heights
on Dec 20, 2019 at 9:38 pm
on Dec 20, 2019 at 9:38 pm
Too funny. So much outrage, over something that occurs around you all the time and you don't know it. You should see the produce warehouses in Oakland sometime! You would never eat again. Seriously, a few cucarachas are the last thing you need to worry about. But go ahead. Delude yourself that the other ancient buildings downtown are roach free.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Dec 20, 2019 at 10:26 pm
on Dec 20, 2019 at 10:26 pm
Michael Austin: Please get your facts straight before you chime in. They DO live in trees and they are also known as Palmeto Bugs. Very common in North America. I do know they are handling the situation promptly. Kudos to them.
Canyon Oaks
on Dec 21, 2019 at 8:36 am
on Dec 21, 2019 at 8:36 am
I've been in professional food world for over 30 years, and the only facility that should have been red-tagged was Whole Foods in the western suburbs of Chicago. This was because the sanitation lead got calls from the inspectors day before they were due for a "surprise inspection". I have been the safety and sanitation lead for New Leaf Markets, Canteen Corporation and Bon Appetit Management. Not one kitchen had roaches. Not one kitchen had mice. When Dean's was shutdown, I was stunned how many people didn't care as much about their deplorable sanitation than getting their 4-egg omelets. Wake up, people. Employees have to be told constantly to wash their hands, nails, etc. Customers don't know the work that goes into keeping a food environment safe and free of contamination.
Registered user
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Dec 21, 2019 at 9:36 am
Registered user
on Dec 21, 2019 at 9:36 am
"There was no diabetes in America."
That is completely wrong. Type one diabetes occurs spontaneously in all human (and many non-human) populations. It is not a contagious disease and has only weak genetic correlation.
Livermore
on Dec 22, 2019 at 8:14 am
on Dec 22, 2019 at 8:14 am
Donald Trump and his cronies were found at Alberto's?
Registered user
Bridle Creek
on Dec 22, 2019 at 8:21 am
Registered user
on Dec 22, 2019 at 8:21 am
Pope John,
Boy, you really got me there.
Livermore
on Dec 22, 2019 at 8:25 am
on Dec 22, 2019 at 8:25 am
I've been there three times. I got sick after each time. I was confused why and thought it was just me. Vowed to never go back. Now I see the light.
Downtown
on Dec 22, 2019 at 2:53 pm
on Dec 22, 2019 at 2:53 pm
To the people saying that its just roaches and they have seen them else where, so its not a big deal...
You people are nasty and im glad you are not doing inspections... and if you read the artcle they found a dozen other violations and listed a few other nasty things.
another community
on Dec 23, 2019 at 10:21 am
on Dec 23, 2019 at 10:21 am
Alberto’s food is so disgusting if you took it to Mexico you’d be arrested.
Val Vista
on Dec 23, 2019 at 11:12 am
on Dec 23, 2019 at 11:12 am
The food never was very good. Now I know part of the reason. Sloppy cooks. I hope they shut down for good.
Registered user
Stoneridge
on Dec 23, 2019 at 11:36 am
Registered user
on Dec 23, 2019 at 11:36 am
Enough said about the roaches. What should bother us is the lack of soap at the kitchen washing sink. Google "Typhoid Mary". Or find the recent Drunk History episode that featured her. I know Typhoid is not likely to crop up here, but the need for food prep folks to have clean hands is universal.
Registered user
Vintage Hills
on Dec 24, 2019 at 10:40 am
Registered user
on Dec 24, 2019 at 10:40 am
I went there once. We were sitting outside on the patio. I noticed a man sitting with his family abrubtly stand up and march directly over to a large pot with an azalea of some kind in it. He bent over and threw up an enormous stream of barf into the pot. Shocked and horrified, the rest of the patrons began shuffling out of the restaurant.
I never went back. Unfortunately for the azalea, it was stuck there.
Parkside
on Dec 25, 2019 at 4:53 pm
on Dec 25, 2019 at 4:53 pm
I have visited Alberto’s so many times I can’t keep count.
I am sure they will take the action needed and open up soon.
I have never had a bad Meal or experience there. Enjoyed many special occasions there as well.
I will continue to enjoy Alberto’s
Registered user
Castlewood
on Dec 26, 2019 at 8:57 pm
Registered user
on Dec 26, 2019 at 8:57 pm
John Dewey-I was gonna say the same thing.
Lumen--I have been eating there since they opened. Never have gotten sick and I am elderly not a spring chikcen like you probably.
another community
on Dec 27, 2019 at 10:07 am
on Dec 27, 2019 at 10:07 am
To those saying it's no big deal, they occur naturally in the environment- you need to do some research on the diseases and health problems roaches can create. They can spread salmonella, e. coli, and parasitic worms quite easily from just walking across meat and onto any parts in the kitchen, the silverware you use, to the seats you sit on. They leave feces everywhere and empty egg sacs. You want to eat that or touch something in a restaurant and then touch food/your face? There's several different types of cockroaches but the ones in buildings thrive in 70 degree temps and are mainly nocturnal. Cockroach feces and saliva are dangerous to people with asthma and allergies.
No matter what ones health is, looking at roaches as no big deal is nasty.
Ruby Hill
on Dec 28, 2019 at 12:59 am
on Dec 28, 2019 at 12:59 am
More government regulations as part of socialist effort to keep owners of a restaurant from being free and making a profit thru free trade. Wake up America (John Lennon) the socialists are part of the teaming deep state regulators. Only Trump and righteous evangelicals can save us now!!!!!! It's in the Bible - Two Corinthians.