Mexican restaurant resolves issues, reopens
WAYNESBURG — Don Patron Mexican Restaurant in Waynesburg has reopened after closing its doors March 16 due to health concerns.
The restaurant was closed by order after several food safety violations were discovered during an inspection.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, they found “more than 40 dead gnats” in the lights above the kitchen sink and “more than 200 rat droppings” in the basement.
There were plumbing issues in the basement as well, along with a hole that was estimated to be about 18 inches in diameter.
These issues were enough for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to force Don Patron to close until the violations could be corrected.
A day after the mandatory closing, March 17, the Don Patron staff requested a second inspection, and they passed.
Christine McCarty, a waitress at Don Patron, said the issues were immediately taken care of.
She also said that the primary source of problem was the basement of the building, an area separated from the restaurant.
“The rest of the place is immaculate,” McCarty said.
Customers returned to Don Patron for dinner March 17.