Back to business for Bozeman Sushi, morel mushrooms off the menu

Bozeman, Montana – Dave’s Sushi in Downtown Bozeman has reopened after being down for more than a month.

Following final approval from the Gallatin City County Health Department, Dave’s Sushi opened to the public on Thursday, May 25, 2023.

The health agency reports that the eatery was shut down in the middle of April owing to a foodborne illness epidemic that left 50 individuals sick after eating at Dave’s and resulted in two fatalities.

The health agency has determined that morel mushrooms, which Dave claims were FDA-inspected, are most likely to blame for the outbreak, though toxicology and autopsy results are still pending.

There are now two lawsuits pending against Dave’s.

On Friday, May 26, around lunchtime, there were a number of tables filled with patrons eating there and demonstrating support for Dave’s.

One of them, Darren Brady, expressed his happiness that Dave’s has reopened by saying, “Yes. We frequently visit this location since we enjoy it and it’s a wonderful setting. Although regrettable, things do happen, and I don’t anticipate it happening again.

The family of Donna Ventura, a Belgrade resident who fell unwell and ultimately passed away after dining at Dave’s, is being represented by Michael Rabb of the Rabb Law Firm. In a letter to the Health Department, Rabb expressed his reservations about permitting Dave’s to reopen. “Given that deaths in the community occurred, allowing a facility to reopen without first concluding the investigation or figuring out the manner and cause of deaths is dangerous, premature, and appears to prioritize business revenue over safety,” the letter stated.

On May 25, 2023, a pre-opening inspection was conducted. Four minor breaches were discovered, but they were fixed, according to the Health Department website. An upgrade to a sewer line is mentioned from a prior preopening assessment.

According to Dave’s, it will no longer be serving morel mushrooms and is certain it can reopen without incident.

With the help of the restaurant’s present and former owners, Dave’s made a video.