Celia SoudryAlthough the majority of health department closures listed on the next page can be found in areas such as Gardena, San Gabriel Valley and Artesia, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the sketchy foods many of us have or will encounter also appear in Beverly Hills (Benihana) and Santa Monica (Broadway Alehouse), among other areas. Consider it the geographic democracy of rats.
We can find all of these gems thanks to a nifty tool from the Department of Public Health that lists restaurant closures (both temporary and permanent) due to vermin infestations, vermin harborage (apparently there is a difference), serious repeat violations, gross contamination of utensils/equipment, sewage, un-safe food temperature — the list goes on. As Halloween approaches, this roundup only seems appropriate.
Have horror stories of your own? Write 'em in the comments.
Adelita Bakery: 14807 S Western Ave., Gardena.
Date Closed: August 22. Date Reopened: August 25
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Babylon Bakery: 12424 1/2 Gladstone Ave., Sylmar.
Date Closed: August 13. Date Reopened: August 15
Reason for Closure: Serious/Repeat Violations, Vermin Prevention/Vermin Harborage
Barn Rau: 10825 Oxnard St., North Hollywood.
Date Closed: June 22. Date Reopened: June 29
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Battambang: 1806 S San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel.
Date Closed: June 29. Date Reopened: July 5
Reason for Closure: Vermin infestation
Benihana: 38 N La Cienaga Blvd., Beverly Hills.
Date Closed: September 13. Date Reopened: September 17
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Boiling Point: 2020 S Hacienda Blvd., E, Hacienda Heights.
Date Closed: August 15. Date Reopened: August 20
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Broadway Alehouse: 129 Broadway, Santa Monica.
Date Closed: September 11
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Bu San Sushi Bar: 201 N Western Ave., L.A.
Date Closed: June 27. Date Reopened: June 30
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
California Wok: 12004 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.
Date Closed: September 7 Date Reopened: September 12
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Campos Mexican Food: 10352 Venice Blvd., Culver City.
Date Closed: August 29. Date Reopened: September 1
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
China Bowl Express: 4134 S Crenshaw Blvd., L.A.
Date Closed: August 30. Date Reopened: September 18
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
China Buffet: 3525 Pacific Coast HWY, Torrance.
Date Closed: September 12. Date Reopened: September 14
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Country Kkokko: 1716 W Redondo Beach Blvd., Gardena.
Date Closed: July 13. Date Reopened: July 19
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
East Wind: 2928 Washington Blvd. Marina del Rey.
Date Closed: September 13. Date Reopened: September 17
Reason for Closure: Vermin infestation
Exotic Thai Cafe: 17544 Ventura Blvd., Encino.
Date Closed: August 8. Date Reopened: August 9
Reason for Closure: Un-safe food temperature
Fatburger: 6767 W Sunset Blvd., L.A.
Date Closed: July 2. Date Reopened: July 6
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Golden Lotus: 5001 Wilshire Blvd., 102, L.A.
Date Closed: August 23. Date Reopened: August 27
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Hop Li Seafood: 11901 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.
Date Closed: September 13. Date Reopened: September 17
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
India Sweets & Spices: 22009 Sherman Way, Canoga Park.
Date Closed: August 14. Date Reopened: August 17
Reason for Closure: No potable water supply or no hot water, Vermin infestation
Judith Restaurant: 1319 E 58th, L.A.
Date Closed: August 24
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Kang Kang Food Court: 27 E Valley Blvd., Alhambra.
Date Closed: July 18. Date Reopened: July 20
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Kelley's Bakery: 2119 S Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park.
Date Closed: August 6. Date Reopened: August 8
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
King Thai Food: 1253 N Vine St., # 7, L.A.
Date Closed: August 6. Date Reopened: August 8
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Ko Ryo Jung: 1585 W Sepulveda Blvd., Torrance.
Date Closed: September 17. Date Reopened: September 19
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Melrose Cafe & Bakery: 5003 Melrose Ave., L.A.
Date Closed: August 29. Date Reopened: September 4
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Mezban Biryani Palace: 18621-23 S Pioneer Blvd., Artesia.
Date Closed: August 2. Date Reopened: August 15
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Natraliart Jamaican Restaurant: 3426 W Washington Blvd., L.A.
Date Closed: September 4. Date Reopened: September 6
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Osteria Mamma: 5732 Melrose Ave., L.A.
Date Closed: September 6. Date Reopened: September 8
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
100 Dumpling House: 331 W Garvey Ave., Monterey Park.
Date Closed: September 6. Date Reopened: September 10
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Paradise Restaurant: 889 W 190th St., Gardena.
Date Closed: August 14. Date Reopened: August 16
Reason for Closure: Sewage, Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles (repeat offender): 5006 W. Pico Blvd., L.A.
Date Closed: July 11. Date Reopened: July 21
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Date Closed: June 26 Date Reopened: June 29
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
San Sui Japanese: 2040 N Hillhurst Ave., L.A.
Date Closed: June 27. Date Reopened: July 2
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
Sauce On Hampton: 259 Hampton Drive, Venice.
Date Closed: August 9. Date Reopened: August 13
Reason for Closure: Vermin Harborage, Vermin infestation
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