Health Inspectors Close Downtown Restaurant

The Framingham Health Department has suspended Copacabana Grill’s license to operate, after inspections last week identified a dirty kitchen and staff improperly handling and storing food.

The owner Jose Lucio Venancio was ordered to appear before the Framingham Board of Health Wednesday night, but he did not show.

Inspector Matt Armendo told the Framingham Board of Health Wednesday night he heard the owner has no plans to re-open. The Board voted to send notification again to the owner and take up a formal vote to permanently suspend the license in a future meeting.

Last week, Armendo inspected the 16 Leland St. restaurant on Thursday night and again on Friday morning and found critical sanitary violations, including a cluttered and dirty kitchen.

Food was stored properly, not labeled, and many employees were not washing their hands or wearing gloves, he said.

At this time, the Brazilian restaurant will not be allowed to re-open unless it appeared before the Framingham Board of Health.