Not spotless, but Mexican eatery in Atlanta passes health reinspection

UPDATE: Mama's was reinspected Thursday and received a 97/A. The report noted five new violations, including food debris on equipment and grease buildup near a cook line area.

ORIGINAL STORY (published July 24): A popular 24-hour Mexican restaurant failed a recent health inspection, Fulton County records show.

Mama's Cocina, located on Piedmont Avenue, scored a 54/U following the July 17 evaluation. Scores below 70 are considered failing. Its prior score from November was a 100/A.

According to the report, there were food items in a cooler marked with June 13 — a date more than a month before the inspection.

Officials also reported mildew buildup inside the ice machine and debris buildup on the ceiling above cooking areas.

Owner Martha Vargas said the restaurant respects the health department’s regulations.

Vargas tries her best to be in compliance, she said, and is fixing everything in anticipation of a reinspection this week.

Mama's was one of the businesses impacted by the I-85 bridge collapse earlier this year, due to its close proximity to the site.

The restaurant gained loyal customers in the form of workers who rebuilt the overpass. In turn, the owner threw them a "thank you" party, Channel 2 Action News reported in May.

Similarly, Tower liquor store, also located near the I-85 construction site, served burgers donated by Grindhouse to the construction crew in April.

Follow-up inspections are generally completed within 10 days of the original evaluation.