Orange County Restaurants Face Temporary Closures Due to Health Violations

Several restaurants in Orange County faced temporary closures due to health and safety violations.

News Summary

Orange County has seen a surge in temporary restaurant closures, with 30 establishments shut down by the Health Care Agency between April 13 and May 13, 2024. Reasons for these closures include vermin infestations, plumbing issues, and sewage overflow. While the closures aim to protect public health, many restaurants have responded quickly to resolve the identified issues. Local diners are encouraged to stay aware of the health conditions of their favorite eateries.

Orange County Restaurants Face Temporary Closures Due to Health Violations

Orange County recently saw a flurry of temporary restaurant closures as the Health Care Agency took decisive action to tackle *serious health hazards*. Between April 13 and May 13, 2024, a total of 30 restaurants were shut down for reasons ranging from pesky cockroaches to plumbing problems, with closures lasting anywhere from less than a day to more than two weeks.

Why Were The Restaurants Closed?

Every closure, known as a Permit Suspension, occurs when health inspectors find something fishy that needs immediate attention. The aim? To protect the diners of Orange County by ensuring that eateries address all issues effectively. Common culprits for these shutdowns include:

Vermin infiltration in food areas
Sewage overflow problems
Lack of drinking water, particularly hot water which is vital for handwashing
Power outages or inoperable restrooms
More serious factors like fire or flood
Foodborne illnesses
Allowing repeat violations or interfering with health inspections

After an issue is resolved, a representative from Environmental Health steps in to make sure everything is back in tip-top shape before any restaurant can reopen its doors.

A Closer Look at Closures

In Anaheim alone, eight establishments faced the harsh consequences of health infractions, with many closures tied to *cockroach infestations*. The restaurants affected included:

99 Ranch Market Deli on May 9 (reopened the same day)
Knott Nutrition Spot closed on May 8, opening again on the 9th
Anaheim Zankou Inc. faced a closure on April 29 for one day
Pepz Pizza temporarily closed on April 24; back in business the same day
El Pollo Loco had a brief shutdown on April 17, reopening April 18
Mayflower Dumpling Express was closed for one day from April 11 to 12
Togo’s Eatery had plumbing issues causing a closure until April 15
Requiem Restaurant had to close for a brief time due to a cockroach problem but was back in action three days later

In Buena Park, John’s Incredible Pizza Company also took a day off for the same reason—a cockroach infestation. Meanwhile, the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Corona Del Mar found itself closed for just a day on May 1 for the same pesky problem.

Garden Grove and Other Areas Hit Hard

Over in Garden Grove, five restaurants faced closures for health reasons, such as:

Brees Quality Meats was closed for insufficient hot water on May 7-8
CTB Eatery and Tam Bien Restaurant both shut down due to rodent infestations
Korea Health Food Soup & Tea was impacted by a rodent infestation and, as of May 13, has not reopened
Golden Oil was closed from April 8-12 because of a rodent problem but reopened afterward

In Huntington Beach, both Ola Mexican Kitchen and Brunch n Vibes encountered cockroach and sewage issues, respectively, reclaiming their spots after brief closures.

Still Unresolved Health Issues

As of May 13, several restaurants remain under the weather, like the Auntie Anne’s in Westminster, which closed due to a cockroach infestation and has not reopened. The kitchen at Blessed Sacrament School in Westminster also faced a shutdown due to health violations.

As guests and diners in Orange County, it’s essential to keep a watchful eye on the state of our local eateries. The goal of these closures is to safeguard our health while allowing restaurant owners the chance to get their establishments back on track. It’s always heartening to see these businesses respond positively to health concerns so that we can all enjoy our favorite dishes responsibly!