Restaurant’s alcohol license yanked over Facebook pictures

A Kennesaw restaurant had its license to serve alcohol revoked today after pictures of underage drinkers were posted on Facebook.

The Cobb County Commission approved a recommendation to revoke the license held by Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant on Town Center Drive following a show cause hearing requested by the county license review board.

Cobb County police cited Mi Pueblo last September for serving alcohol to patrons under 21. The restaurant is located near Kennesaw State University and is frequented by students.

Police investigated the restaurant following a written complaint, and after viewing photos of minors drinking at the restaurant that were posted on the social networking site.

Several restaurant employees also did not possess valid work permits, Detective Chip Mercier told commission members.

Ricardo Bernal, the assistant manager and son of Mi Pueblo owner Jesus Bernal, said his father put his life savings into the restaurant.

“All he wanted was a better future for our family,” Bernal said.

“I have been in the U.S. for a long time. I’ve always worked,” Jesus Bernal said through an interpreter. “This is basically the future for me and my kids.”

Cobb Commissioner Tim Lee said the authorities cannot look the other way when local ordinances are violated.