CAFE RIO SAHARA
9002 W Sahara AVE, Las Vegas, NV 89117 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
CAFE RIO SAHARA has been inspected 10 times by Southern Nevada Health District since April 1, 2021. The most recent inspection, on October 5, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
2 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.
The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
Food temperature controlHigher risk
Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.
Recorded 8 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on October 5, 2026. For example:
TCS food thawed and cooled using proper methods. Fruits and vegetables washed prior to preparation or service.
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.
Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 12, 2025. For example:
Food contact surfaces of equipment properly cleaned and sanitized. Sanitizer solution provided and maintained as required.
Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk
Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.
Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 12, 2025. For example:
Personal cleanliness maintained. Personal effects properly stored.
Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk
Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 4, 2024. For example:
Chemicals properly identified, stored, and used.
Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk
This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 4, 2024. For example:
Food protected from potential cross-contamination.
About this data
These results come from Southern Nevada Health District, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
10 inspections
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- 92105: TCS food thawed and cooled using proper methods. Fruits and vegetables washed prior to preparation or service.
- 3 demerits
- 92122: TCS food at proper temperatures.
- 5 demerits
- 92105: TCS food thawed and cooled using proper methods. Fruits and vegetables washed prior to preparation or service.
- Routine Inspection
6 infractions
- 8078376: Food contact surfaces of equipment properly cleaned and sanitized. Sanitizer solution provided and maintained as required.
- 3 demerits
- 8078391: Nonfood contact surfaces and equipment properly constructed, installed, maintained, and clean.
- 8078394: Personal cleanliness maintained. Personal effects properly stored.
- 8078395: Physical facility in sound condition and maintained.
- 8078403: TCS food at proper temperatures.
- 5 demerits
- 8078409: Utensils, equipment, linens, single-service/single-use items properly handled, stored, and dispensed.
- 8078376: Food contact surfaces of equipment properly cleaned and sanitized. Sanitizer solution provided and maintained as required.
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
5 infractions
- 8078371: Adequate handwashing sinks stocked and accessible.
- 3 demerits
- 8078372: Chemicals properly identified, stored, and used.
- 3 demerits
- 8078375: Equipment approved, properly designed, maintained, and operated.
- 3 demerits
- 8078379: Food protected from potential cross-contamination.
- 3 demerits
- 8078403: TCS food at proper temperatures.
- 5 demerits
- 8078371: Adequate handwashing sinks stocked and accessible.
- Routine Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
4 infractions
- 8078376: Food contact surfaces of equipment properly cleaned and sanitized. Sanitizer solution provided and maintained as required.
- 3 demerits
- 8078399: Signs and certifications as required.
- 8078403: TCS food at proper temperatures.
- 5 demerits
- 8078410: Ware washing facilities maintained. Wiping cloths properly stored; test strips available.
- 8078376: Food contact surfaces of equipment properly cleaned and sanitized. Sanitizer solution provided and maintained as required.
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- 8078374: Effective pest control measures. Animals restricted as required.
- 3 demerits
- 8078379: Food protected from potential cross-contamination.
- 3 demerits
- 8078374: Effective pest control measures. Animals restricted as required.
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- 76378: Hot and cold holding equipment present; properly designed, maintained and operated.
- 3 demerits
- 76418: PHF/TCSs at proper temperatures during storage, display, service, transport, and holding.
- 5 demerits
- 76378: Hot and cold holding equipment present; properly designed, maintained and operated.
- Routine Inspection
6 infractions
- 76407: Food protected from potential contamination by chemicals. Toxic items properly labeled, stored and used.
- 3 demerits
- 76434: Kitchenware and food contact surfaces of equipment properly washed, rinsed, sanitized and air dried. Equipment for warewashing operated and maintained. Sanitizer solution provided and maintained as required.
- 3 demerits
- 76458: Handwashing facilities adequate in number, stocked, accessible, and limited to handwashing only.
- 3 demerits
- 93149: Facility in sound condition and maintained (floors, walls, ceilings, plumbing, lighting, ventilation, etc.).
- 93153: Nonfood contact surfaces and equipment properly constructed, installed, maintained and clean.
- 93158: Small wares and portable appliances approved, properly designed, in good repair.
- 76407: Food protected from potential contamination by chemicals. Toxic items properly labeled, stored and used.
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- 76418: PHF/TCSs at proper temperatures during storage, display, service, transport, and holding.
- 5 demerits
- 93149: Facility in sound condition and maintained (floors, walls, ceilings, plumbing, lighting, ventilation, etc.).
- 76418: PHF/TCSs at proper temperatures during storage, display, service, transport, and holding.
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