Two restaurants on San Diego Avenue, Bhojan Griha and Mama Antonia’s Mexican Restaurant, have been ordered to close temporarily following unsatisfactory health inspection results. The inspections, conducted by the County of San Diego on July 14, 2025, revealed multiple food safety violations at both establishments.
Health Violations at Bhojan Griha
Bhojan Griha, located at 2367 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110, specializes in Nepalese and Indian cuisine. The restaurant, led by a chef with over 25 years of experience, was found to have several critical lapses during the routine inspection. Key issues included:
– Food employees lacked food handler training certification.
– Proper hot and cold holding temperatures for potentially hazardous foods were not maintained.
– Evidence of vermin activity was observed, and the facility lacked adequate vermin-proofing measures.
– The establishment had no hot water in the sinks.
– Food items were not properly separated to prevent cross-contamination.
– Non-food contact surfaces were not clean and sanitized.
– The warewashing sink lacked necessary plugs and stoppers.
The inspection report highlighted these significant concerns, leading to the temporary closure of Bhojan Griha until compliance is achieved.
Concerns at Mama Antonia’s Mexican Restaurant
Across the street at 2502 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110, Mama Antonia’s Mexican Restaurant faced similar scrutiny. Known for its flavorful tacos and burritos, the establishment also failed to meet health standards during its inspection. Among the violations noted were:
– Food employees did not adhere to proper handwashing procedures.
– Missing food handler certification for staff.
– Observations of live insects and signs of rodent activity.
– Accumulation of grease on non-food contact surfaces, such as a deep fryer.
– Equipment and utensils were not stored in a clean, contamination-free environment.
– Insufficient exhaust ventilation in the facility.
The health department has mandated temporary closures for both restaurants until all cited violations are rectified and a follow-up inspection is completed.
These closures underscore the importance of adhering to food safety regulations, which are essential for protecting public health. The path to reopening will require both Bhojan Griha and Mama Antonia’s to implement corrective measures and demonstrate compliance with health standards.
