2 Hollywood Restaurants Closed For Cockroach, Rodent Infestations

HOLLYWOOD, CA — The Los Angeles County Public Health Department ordered two Hollywood-area restaurants temporarily closed recently, both due to vermin infestations.

Mesa Thai Cuisine, located at 820 N. Western Ave., was ordered closed after an inspector noted critical violations during a routine inspection on June 6.

The inspector noted a mix of over 50 dead and live nymph and adult cockroaches. The insects were spotted in the bar area, restroom, freezer and kitchen.

Additional violations included an open container of milk stored at 71 degrees, 7 lbs. of cooked rice stored at 45 degrees and a sanitizer bucket that contained no measurable level of chlorine.

The restaurant was reinspected the following day and has not yet been allowed to reopen, according to county records.

Cafe Me Ryun, located at 3617 W. 3rd St., was ordered closed after an inspector noted critical violations during a routine inspection on June 7.

An inspector noted a dead rodent on a glue trap underneath a kitchen sink, more than three rodent droppings on the floor next to an ice machine and a dead cockroach on a glue trap in the front bar area.

Additional violations concerned an accumulation of mildew on inside two ice machines. The inspector noted that the ice was not in contact with the mildew.

The restaurant was reinspected the following day and has not yet been allowed to reopen, according to county records.

Eateries across Los Angeles were shut for a number of violations of the California Health and Safety Code including vermin infestations and improper sewage disposal. The closures were results of routine public health inspections across the region. Use this link to view a full list of closures and routine restaurant inspection reports.

The department inspects restaurants and food facilities between one and three times a year, depending on the public health risk associated with the food served, history of the facility and food preparation methods employed, according to the department’s website.

“Health and Safety Codes establish the proper way for food to be prepared and sold to the public. If codes are not followed, members of the community and even workers can become sick or injured. That is why it is so important for public health that all food safety codes are followed,” the department said on its website.

Inspections gauge a number of code requirements including, “safe food temperatures, safe food handling, employee hygiene, an adequate supply of water and hot water, and the business is maintained clean and free of vermin” according to the department’s website. The inspection also includes an examination of employee practices, employees’ ability to demonstrate knowledge of facility practices and food storage.

Major violations require a 14 day followup inspection after corrective action is immediately taken. Less serious violations prompt followup inspections within 30 days.