Westside Cafe Reopens After Health Inspection Closure
The Mae Anne Avenue restaurant resumed service following an office hearing with public health officials.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Nutrition
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Westside Cafe on Mae Anne Avenue closed briefly in early October after health inspectors found improper food storage temperatures and sewage backups. Northern Nevada Public Health officials shuttered the Reno business on Oct. 1 after an inspection revealed violations ranging from moldy produce to equipment drainage issues.
Why it matters
Proper refrigeration is essential for preventing bacterial growth, particularly when items like milk and eggs are stored well above the safe 41-degree threshold. The closure highlights the regulatory standards restaurants in our valley must meet to maintain their operating permits.
Inspectors recorded milk and alternatives between 50-57 degrees Fahrenheit and cheese and eggs at 46-52 degrees Fahrenheit, all exceeding the 41-degree cold storage safety limit. Across Washoe County, closures represent less than 3% of all annual inspections.
The players
Northern Nevada Public Health
The agency responsible for conducting restaurant inspections and enforcing food safety standards in Washoe County.
Westside Cafe
A Reno restaurant located at 5150 Mae Anne Ave. that underwent a temporary closure due to health violations.
The details
The inspection at the 5150 Mae Anne Ave. location revealed gray water backing up into floor sinks during dishwasher use, alongside an absence of required date marks on food items. Inspectors also discovered mold on cut melon during the visit. Following these findings, the cafe was closed by Northern Nevada Public Health but has since reopened after completing an office hearing process.
Timeline
Oct. 1, 2026: Northern Nevada Public Health closed Westside Cafe.
Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026: Inspectors cited local restaurants for various violations.
Fiscal year 2025: Closures accounted for less than 3% of inspections.
The Truckee Meadows View
These enforcement actions follow the established safety protocols mandated by Northern Nevada Public Health for food handling and storage. The closure reflects the agency's ongoing reliance on standard temperature thresholds to prevent foodborne illness across the valley.
Westside Cafe has already reopened to the public following their office hearing with health officials. Diners can check current public records for any local establishment on the Northern Nevada Public Health website to stay informed about recent inspection scores.
The takeaway
When eating out in Reno, you can view the compliance history of any restaurant through official public health portals. Watch for annual inspection updates to see how your favorite spots are maintaining storage temperature requirements.
Further reading
For more on local food safety guidelines and reporting, visit the Nutrition section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Reno Gazette Journal.
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