RivCo Restaurant Health Closures: Donuts, Taco Shop, Korean BBQ Affected By Vermin, Cockroaches

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County Environmental Health inspectors shut down 11 restaurants in cities across the county for a variety of health-related reasons. Since Patch's Sept. 4 Health Inspection report, restaurants have been closed due to a lack of water, fire damage and pest infestations.

Is it safe to eat there after a restaurant has been cited for rodent activity? We spoke with an expert about that, which you can read below.

In many cases, restaurants can implement health-related updates on the same day as inspections, thereby avoiding costly shutdowns. If the restaurant owners can't meet the standards, restaurants may be downgraded or temporarily closed to resolve issues that could make patrons ill. Once they prove the fixes are made, restaurants can reopen with "A" grades.

The following 11 Riverside County restaurants experienced either minor or major violations, according to the most recent 'Food Facility Closures Report’ issued on Sept. 24:

Banning:

The Silent Valley Club RV Resort located at 46305 Poppet Flats Road, voluntarily shut down all restaurants and food sales on Aug. 28 due to a lack of water, according to environmental health inspectors. “The facility, as well as others on the property,” voluntarily closed due to no water supply. As of September 19, the facility was still working to connect the new water line. Per the staff in charge, the main line blew out, and two out of the four wells have gone dry. Residents/guests were asked to evacuate the park. Portable showers, porta-potties and bottled water were provided to employees staying at the property. The facility remains closed for food-related business, and is in the process of connecting to municipal water,” environmental health inspectors said. Also affected by the failed water supply at the RV Resort were the:

• Chuckwagon Restaurant and Lounge,
• The Silent Valley Club/Adult Snack Bar,
• The Silent Valley Club/Village Market.
• The Silent Valley Youth Center Snack Bar.

Blythe
Mi Kitchen, located at 181 S. Lovekin Boulevard, was shut down on Sept. 17 due to a sewage overflow, according to health inspectors. After rectifying the issue, the restaurant reopened on Sept. 18.

Lake Elsinore
DONUT STAR, located at 16738 Lakeshore Drive, was shut down for one day due to a cockroach infestation. The eatery was closed on Sept. 22, and at the owner's request, an inspector returned on Sept. 23; however, signs of cockroaches remained. The donut shop remained closed, with a "B" grade in the window, as of Sept. 24.

El Rancho Market, located at 217 N Main Street, closed for one day on Sept. 16 due to a Cockroach Infestation. The restaurant reopened on Sept. 17, when health inspectors cleared it for reopening.

Menifee
Fairfield Inn & Suites, located at 30140 Town Center Drive, was shut down on Sept. 4, and its permit was downgraded to pre-packaged Foods Only.

Perris
Thirstea Perris, located at 75 W Nuevo Road, was shut down due to Insufficient Hot Water on September 17, according to health inspection reports.

Riverside
Casa Tacos, located at 6247 Day Street, was temporarily closed on Sept. 15 due to a kitchen fire. Health inspectors, along with the Riverside Fire Department, monitored the repairs and recharge of the fire suppression system. The restaurant was allowed to reopen on September 19, after passing inspection.

Soho Ramen, located at 3605 Market Street #8, was temporarily shut down on Sept. 10 due to a cockroach infestation and reports of foodborne illness, according to health inspectors. By Sept. 16, the restaurant had rectified the vermin issue and had sanitized the kitchen, allowing it to reopen.

Vanilla Fish 5225 Canyon Crest Drive, Suite 55, was temporarily closed on Sept. 9 due to a Rodent Infestation. The restaurant dealt with the rodents, properly cleaned and sanitized the kitchen and was allowed to reopen on Sept. 11, according to health inspection reports.

Sun City
Sun City Family Restaurant, located at 26824 Cherry Hills Boulevard, shuttered temporarily on Sept. 9 due to a Rodent Infestation. The restaurant was permitted to reopen on September 12, after the rodent activity had been eliminated.

Temecula
Temecula Korean BBQ, located at 41925 Motor Car Parkway, Suite G, was temporarily shut down on Sept. 3 due to a rodent infestation, as well as multiple issues with food and sanitization that were remedied while the inspector was on-site. The restaurant was downgraded to a “C” grade and was allowed to reopen on September 6, after the rodent activity was halted.

What can restaurants that experience rodent or cockroach activity do?

Patch spoke with Emory Matts, an Entomologist and expert from Terminix, on the best way to deal with rodents and vermin for restaurant owners.

Once they show up, "addressing the root cause—like sanitation issues, food storage practices, and waste management—is critical to preventing future infestations," Matts said. "Acting quickly not only resolves the immediate problem but also demonstrates a commitment to health and safety, which is essential for passing inspections and maintaining customer trust."

The best way to control rodents and vermin is through prevention. Restaurant owners can take several steps to make their spaces less inviting to pests:

1. Manage food and trash carefully: Empty trash regularly, secure dumpsters and bins, sweep up crumbs, clean spills immediately, and store food in sealed containers.
2. Control water sources: Wipe up moisture, fix leaks promptly, and keep counters and floors dry.
3. Declutter and clean storage areas: Rodents need shelter to nest, so regularly remove boxes, papers, and other unused items.
4. Maintain landscaping: Keep grass and weeds trimmed and remove debris near the building to reduce hiding spots.
5. Seal entry points: Close cracks and holes in walls, install door sweeps, repair window screens, and check pipes and vents for gaps

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