Health department closes Mexican eatery for violations

The restaurant was put on probation in 2003.
LIBERTY -- Cancun Mexican Restaurant on Belmont Avenue has been closed for health violations, including the lack of employee hand sinks and improper handling of food, Trumbull County health officials say.
The restaurant has a history of violations, but the most recent inspections were prompted by an anonymous call to the health department Wednesday from a man who said his family got sick from eating there.
At about 8 p.m. Wednesday evening, patrons were asked to leave their tables in the Mexican restaurant after an inspection by James Enyeart, county health commissioner.
Enyeart said the restaurant lacked running water to hand sinks in the kitchen and employee bathrooms, and that food was handled in a way that made contamination between raw and cooked foods possible.
The restaurant may reopen after the health department's complaints have been addressed, Enyeart said.
Enyeart said that when diners were told they had to leave the restaurant, one well-dressed patron told him, "You may have a problem with the place, but the food is awfully good."
No one answered telephone calls to the restaurant Friday, and messages were not returned.
Cited in June
The health department cited the restaurant in June for numerous violations, including holding food at room temperature, having food kept uncovered and leaving bad food on the floor. There also was no soap or paper towels at employee hand sinks.
The problems were fixed for the health inspector.
Cancun also was put on probation in 2003.
The health department routinely inspects restaurants twice a year, but may inspect more often if there has been a problem, health officials said.