A Roundup of L.A. Health Department Restaurant Closures

Photo Credit: Ratatouille, Walt Disney Pictures

Cute vermin only exist in the movies

Although 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