Health inspectors closed nine restaurants and one market between April 12 to May 24 in the San Gabriel Valley.
The food facilities had their health permit suspended for either cockroaches, no hot water, rodents or vermin according to reports from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department.
Food facilities whose permits are suspended must close until another inspection determines the problems have been fixed. Closures can occur during routine and owner-initiated inspections, complaint investigations and re-inspections.
The department did not provide details about the nature of the cockroaches, rodents or vermin — such as the number and where in the facility they were found — for all eateries.
Facilities are graded with a number and letter score much like school report cards. If a food facility is closed for a cockroach, rodent or fly infestation, sewage problems or for not having any water running, the facility loses an additional seven points on top of the four points deducted for major health violations. Any time two major health hazards, such as unsafe food temperatures, are observed, the facility loses an additional three points in its inspection score.
Here are the facilities that were closed. The grade and points listed were on the day closed
Thai Purple
Location: 27 N. Garfield Ave., Alhambra
Closure reason: cockroaches
According to a report on file with the Los Angeles County Public Health Department, an inspector observed:
- One live German cockroach crawling inside a plastic container in a back storage shelf.
- One live German cockroach crawling underneath the stove top inside kitchen.
- One dead German cockroach underneath the stove top inside kitchen.
- Approximately five dead German cockroaches underneath the beer cooler at front cashier area.
The business presented a copy of most recent pest control service from Orkin dated April 12.
Closure date: April 12
Reopen date: April 14
Grade: B, 85
Tony’s Bakery
Location: 14354 Olive St., Baldwin Park
Closure reason: rodents
An inspector took a photograph of one live rodent on the floor behind the swinging oven inside the food preparation area. A report also took note of 15-plus old and new rodent droppings on the floor behind the swinging oven. A representative of the establishment provided the most recent pest control invoice, dated April 12.
Closure date: April 14
Reopen date: April 16
Grade: B, 82
LA Social Cafe
Location: 933 S. Sunset Ave., West Covina
Closure reason: no hot water — the hot water temperature measured 74.9 degrees at the three compartment sink, according to an inspection report.
Closure date: April 21
Reopen date: April 22
Grade: A, 91
Famous Ed’s Liquor & Market
Location: 4203 N. Tyler Ave., El Monte
Closure reason: rodents. Per a report, the inspector observed:
- Rodent nest materials and shredded paper behind the ice machine adjacent to the mop sink.
- Approximately five rodent droppings behind and adjacent to the ice machine in the back of the facility.
- Approximately five rodent droppings in the corner next to the door of the walk in cooler in the back.
- Approximately two rodent droppings on the ledge beneath the electrical box.
- Approximately five rodent droppings next to the pink basket on the shelf in the back.
- Approximately 10 rodent dropping next to the plastic drink holder on the shelf in the back.
- One rodent dropping on the wooden ledge on the wall.
- One rodent dropping on the floor next to the wooden rat trap in the drink storage area.
- Approximately five rodent droppings on the floor around the hose next to the mop sink.
- Approximately three rodent droppings on the lid of the paint bucket in the back of the facility by the mop sink.
- One rodent dropping on the ground beneath the hand washing sink in the bathroom.
Closure date: April 27
Reopen date: April 29
Grade: B, 85
Baguette City
Location: 9505 E. Garvey Ave., South El Monte
Closure reason: cockroaches
An inspector found:
- Two live adult cockroaches inside the walk-in refrigerator.
- One live adult cockroach inside the cabinet across from the cash register.
- Three dead nymph cockroaches inside the cabinet underneath the sink.
- One dead adult cockroach inside the cabinet underneath the sink.
- Fecal markings on the cabinet hinges.
Closure date: April 28
Reopen date: May 21
Grade: B, 83
Yin Ji Chang Fen
Location: 227 W. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel
Closure reason: cockroaches
A report noted the discovery of:
- Approximately four live nymph and 2 live adult cockroaches crawling on floor and piece of cardboard located adjacent to the upright single door refrigeration unit in the kitchen.
- Approximately two dead cockroaches on the floor adjacent to the upright single door refrigeration unit in the kitchen.
- Piece of cardboard rubbish on the floor adjacent to the upright single door refrigeration unit in the kitchen with accumulation of cockroach fecal spotting.
Closure date: May 18
Reopen date: May 20
Grade: B, 85
Colonial Kitchen
Location: 1110 Huntington Drive, San Marino
Closure reason: vermin
Closure date: May 21
Reopen date: May 25
Grade: B, 83
Pepe’s Finest Mexican Food
Location: 1140 N. Azusa Ave., Covina
Closure reason: vermin, improper holding temperatures and insufficient water temperatures.
According to a report, the inspector discovered two live adult cockroaches inside the floor sink under the ice machine, one dead adult cockroach on the floor next to the ice machine and one dead adult cockroach on the floor in the chemical storage room.
The inspector ran one of the sinks hot water for 10 minutes and found that it only reached 98 degrees. Water from sinks used to wash kitchen utensils need to be at least 120 degrees.
The inspector also noted:
- Approximately 4 pounds of cooked pork held at 52 degrees for 24 hours at the top loader in front of the deep fryer.
- Approximately 3 pounds of cooked chicken held at 51 degrees for 24 hours at the top loader in front of the deep fryer.
- Approximately 4 pounds of cheese held at 53 degrees for 24 hours at the top loader in front of the deep fryer.
- Approximately 10 pounds of cooked beef and chicken taquito held at 52 degrees for 24 hours at the cooler drawer in front of the deep fryer.
All food items were voluntarily disposed.
Closure date: May 21
Reopen date: May 27
Grade: C, 74
Ixtaco Taqueria
Location: 10021 E. Valley Blvd., El Monte
Closure reason: vermin
An inspector documented two live cockroaches on the wall and floor of food preparation area behind tall reach in cooler. A report indicated that the operator stated facility was recently served for pest control but was unable to provide proof of service. The inspector also noted three-plus flies at food preparation area
Closure date: May 24
Reopen date: May 27
Grade: C, 73
Ono Hawaiian BBQ
Location: 17416 Colima Road, Rowland Heights
Closure reason: no hot water — a report indicated the water only reached 69 degrees.
Closure date: May 24
Reopen date: May 25
Grade: A, 94