Burmese Restaurant Reopens After Rat Jumps Onto Customer's Lap

WALNUT CREEK, CA — A Walnut Creek restaurant reopened this week after taking care of a rat infestation, according to county health officials.

On Aug. 10, an inspector with the Environmental Health Division of Contra Costa Health Services went to Burma 2, a Burmese restaurant at 1616 N. Main St. in Walnut Creek, to investigate a customer complaint.

The customer was at the restaurant around 9 p.m. Aug. 8 when they saw a rat jump onto another customer's lap in the dining room, according to the complaint filed with the county. The patron screamed and the rat jumped onto the patron's foot — then ran across the room and disappeared. Diners were upset, according to the report.

The county inspector discussed the complaint with two managers who said they were already aware of it. The inspector noted that one employee thought the complaint was about a rat while the other thought it was about a bird.

Nonetheless, the inspector reported seeing evidence of a rodent infestation during the Aug. 10 visit.

The restaurant was ordered to close and cease all operations until it provided a current report from a licensed pest control operator confirming the rodent infestation was eliminated.

A red "Closed" sign was posted next to the front door with tamper-proof tape and the business was told they would face additional penalties if the red placard was removed or tampered with.

Rat Trap Leads To Peanut Butter

According to the county inspector, evidence of rodent activity and active infestation included rodent droppings of various sizes in a raw wood storage box/area behind dining room booths where boxes of dishes are stored.

A rodent trap was set out next to 100+ droppings behind the dining booths. The trap had a built-in ramp leading to the top of a 5-gallon bucket with peanut butter bait on a wire, hanging over water.

Droppings were also observed on the floor in many areas of the kitchen, including near a refrigerator, near the cook line, behind an ice machine, near the dishwasher and in an office next to the kitchen, the inspector wrote.

An employee showed the inspector a pest control report dated Aug. 7 that indicated no rodents were seen but rodent service was still provided. The employee said the restaurant was regularly serviced but they did not have paperwork to prove it, according to the inspector.

The employee told the inspector they'd hired a new pest control service who had not yet started.

Corrective Actions

In order to reopen, the restaurant was given a list of corrective actions it needed to take:

• Eliminate gaps greater than 1/4-inch seen near the front entry doors;
• Install durable door sweeps at thresholds;
• Repair holes in the kitchen ceiling and dining room ceiling that the inspector noticed were filled with paper towels and covered with tape;
• Remove clutter and non-essential supplies from the business, including those stored on shelves and directly on the floor;
• Store essential supplies on ANSI/NSF-approved wire shelving or dunnage racks;
• Investigate dining room booths and eliminate all rodents, including those seen taking harbor behind and under booths;
• Remove rodent droppings and thoroughly clean and sanitize the floors and the business.

A re-inspection took place Monday, Aug. 14, at which time the restaurant provided pest control reports dated Aug. 11 and Aug. 14.

A pest control operator who inspected and serviced the restaurant Friday, Aug. 11, found entry points for the rodents in several areas of the dining room walls, in the kitchen near the walk-in refrigerator/freezer, and in the wall behind the cook line.

Rat Entry Point Found, Sealed

The pest control operator found and sealed the main entry point for the rodents which was determined to be on an exterior wall near a panel covering gas line access. The operator completed work on sealing the panel Friday and reported there was no rodent activity in the restaurant since that time.

During the reinspection Monday, the inspector noticed the restaurant was thoroughly cleaned and did not see evidence of rodents. The inspector allowed the restaurant to reopen and posted a "Pending" placard.

A second re-inspection is set for Friday, Aug. 25.

• ALSO SEE: Walnut Creek Restaurant Ordered To Close Amid Cockroach Infestation