[Editor’s note: The report mentioned here is from inspections conducted on July 29 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishments.]
The Tennessee Department of Health conducted a routine health inspection at Las Fiestas Cafe on July 29, 2026. The report identified several health code violations, including an improperly maintained ice machine, food storage issues, and the presence of live and dead roaches. The restaurant received a low score of 57.
WhatNow has reached out to the restaurant for comment and will update the story upon receiving a response.
Las Fiestas Cafe
When: July 29, 2026
Where: 3623 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216, United States
Score: 57
Las Fiestas Cafe is a casual and authentic Mexican restaurant. According to the official inspection report, the violations mentioned are as follows:
- The report noted that the PIC did not have any managerial control of the restaurant, as the restaurant had priority violations marked on the inspection report. The violations were improper date marking and reheating temperature, chemical storage, and storing raw and ready-to-eat foods. The inspection report suggested basic food safety classes.
- The restaurant did not get a shell stock tag for 90 days, and only one tag was available. The PIC told inspectors that a new employee had discarded the tags. The report instructed the PIC to train new employees on the importance of keeping tags for 90 days.
- The report advised the restaurant staff to obtain a binder, organize the oyster tags in order, and ensure that the tags are kept until the last one from the counter is used. Write the date the last oyster was removed, and then file the tag in the binder.
- Ham was stored in a two-door refrigerator in the back area over and by raw meat. The PIC was asked to move the food item to another refrigerator.
- The ice machine was excessively dirty with slime buildup inside. The staff was instructed to clean the ice machine before the follow-up inspection.
- An employee reheated cheese sauce prepared the previous day and placed it on a steam table. The sauce was measured at 119°F and had been on the steam table for less than 39 minutes. The report recommended that the staff reheat the sauce to 165°F and then store it on the steam table.
- Cooked beef was stored in a three-door glass refrigerator on the cookline with a date mark of July 14, and cooked pork with a date mark of July 18. The staff was trained on date marking and restrictions.
- The restaurant stored chemicals on top of the ice machine. The report instructed the PIC to move the chemicals.
- Vacuum-sealed frozen fish was being thawed in the cooler drawer, and the bags were not even opened. The bags were cut open to allow the fish to thaw safely during the inspection.
- Large unlabeled containers were stored in the wait station.
- The report noted drain flies in the mop sink area near the three-compartment sink. Inspectors also observed live roaches in the kitchen area and dead roaches on a caddy of goods on a table nearby. The report recommended an approved pest control company to treat the facility.
- The sanitizer bucket with a wiping cloth was stored on the floor in the cookline. An extremely dirty can opener blade was also noted during the inspection.
- Wastewater was backed up from the handwashing sink drain in the back area. Water was run through the dish machine, a three-compartment sink, and another handwashing sink less than 20 feet away, but no backup was observed at those drains.
- The report suggested repairing those drains within 48 hours; until then, the back handwashing sink must not be used.
- The restaurant did not post its last inspection report in customer view.
A detailed inspection report is available here.
Follow-Up Inspection
The restaurant received a score of 57, which required a follow-up inspection according to the report. A reinspection to address the wastewater backup issue is scheduled for July 31.
According to the report, failure to correct the wastewater backup issue could result in suspension of the restaurant’s permit.
