UPDATED: Banana Cafe Reopens After Reported Vermin Infestation

(Updated at 6:40 p.m.) Banana Cafe on Barracks Row is now open following a food safety and hygiene inspection that the D.C. Department of Health said turned up a “heavy infestation of vermin.”

A DOH inspector discovered a “gross insanitary occurrence or condition that may endanger public health including but not limited to heavy infestation of vermin” at the restaurant and piano bar at 500 8th St. SE, the agency said.

The eatery, which features Cuban, Puerto Rican and Tex-Mex cuisine, received the DOH closure order Monday. The restaurant has since passed a follow-up DOH inspection and was serving customers tonight, Banana Cafe manager Jorge Rivera said.

The restaurant has “no problem,” he said.

Banana Cafe was one of two 8th Street SE eateries closed this week due to vermin problems, according to DOH. Capitol Hill Tandoor & Grill at 419 8th St. SE, has been closed since yesterday under an order by the agency.