The Dutch Bros. Coffee on South Carson Street has reopened with an “A” grade after being temporarily shut down by Carson City health inspectors over multiple food safety and hygiene violations and a failed air conditioning system.
The drive-thru coffee shop, located at 1231 S. Carson St., was ordered closed on July 2 after a Carson City Health and Human Services Environmental Health inspection identified a “Substantial Health Hazard.”
According to the inspection report, the building’s air conditioning unit failed, causing the inside of the coffee stand to reach 93.6 degrees.
Because the refrigeration units were unable to cope with the heat, all perishable foods were found to be holding at 53 degrees or higher, significantly above the safe cold-holding threshold of 41 degrees.
The inspector noted that dairy and other perishable items had been sitting in the standing refrigerators at these unsafe temperatures for two days or longer. Staff discarded all affected foods under the inspector’s observation.
Beyond the temperature failures, the July 2 inspection uncovered multiple critical food and hygiene violations.
The inspector documented a moldy interior in the ice machine and found that sanitizer buckets and spray bottles were unavailable for cleaning food prep surfaces.
Food was found to be “uncovered and unprotected” such as boba rice balls that were stored improperly.
The inspector observed that employees were not washing their hands to prevent contamination, noting that no handwashing occurred for the entire duration of the inspection. Additionally, the shop’s handwash sink was blocked by several items, making it inaccessible to employees.
The inspector reported that while there were trays and rags set out for the sanitizing solution, they “did not contain any solution.”
Other violations contributing to the closure included:
- Dirty floors, walls and ceilings; floors described as being “wet throughout most of the establishment.”
- Missing or inaccurately placed cold holding thermometers.
- Uncluttered premises violations, including wet mops left in sinks, personal items stored in food prep areas, and personal take-out food stored improperly in the refrigerator.
- Failure to post the 2026 permit to operate on site.
After a five-day closure, the health department conducted a follow-up inspection on July 7.
The establishment passed with “zero current violations,” earning an “A” grade and clearance to resume operations.
