Pinyatas Restaurant in Kingston Faces Health Department Showdown
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A local eatery on Chelsea Avenue, Pinyatas, is in hot water with the Kingston and St Andrew Health Department after allegedly violating a closure notice. The restaurant, known for its vibrant seafood boil parties, found itself at the center of controversy when it advertised an event on social media, despite being shut down just days earlier.
On March 26, health inspectors visited Pinyatas and discovered several concerning issues. Reports indicated the presence of live roaches in the serving area, a foul smell in storage spaces, and even rodent droppings. To make matters worse, an open manhole near food preparation areas and broken plumbing fixtures were also cited as significant health risks. The health department’s closure notice was supposed to be posted prominently at the restaurant’s entrance, but it appears that it may have been removed.
When the Jamaica Observer visited Pinyatas around 3:00 PM on Friday, the atmosphere was puzzling. The restaurant was devoid of customers, yet several employees were present. An empty drink refrigerator stood as a silent witness to the day’s events, while a menu board advertised tantalizing seafood options like lobster and fish. However, when questioned about the closure, employees seemed unaware, claiming, “Nothing is wrong; they keep the place clean.”
As the interview progressed, the situation shifted. One employee hastily erased the menu board and insisted they were only there to clean. “If the interview is over, we are closed,” another worker said, suggesting they needed to sanitize the premises. This was in stark contrast to the online advertisements promoting the seafood party that evening.
By 4 PM, a few eager patrons arrived, having seen the event advertised on Instagram, only to be turned away at the door. Yet, in a surprising twist, Pinyatas reopened just half an hour later. A message from their social media account confirmed they were open, even offering a special deal: free seafood with the purchase of a daiquiri and lobster soup for $2,000.
The health department clarified that closure notices take effect immediately upon posting. A photo shared with the Observer showed the notice addressed to “Sobena Green” regarding Pinyatas, detailing the health violations that led to the shutdown.
The owner, known as ‘Skilachi,’ spoke to the Observer over the phone but was evasive about the situation. “There is nothing to that matter,” he said, adding that everything was “finalised with the health department.” When pressed about the removal of the closure notice, he denied it ever existed.
Surrounding business owners and the landlady, Chevanne Wilson, expressed their surprise at the closure order. “That [closure notice] is news to me,” she said, emphasizing that while she wasn’t often on-site, she considered Skilachi a good tenant.
The health department has made it clear that for Pinyatas to reopen, they must address several issues, including pest control, plumbing repairs, and proper covering for the manhole. As of now, the restaurant’s social media advertisements for the seafood boil party have been deleted, leaving many in the community wondering about the future of this popular spot.
With the health department’s stringent regulations and the restaurant’s apparent defiance, one can’t help but ask: How will this saga unfold for Pinyatas and its loyal patrons?