News Summary
Health inspectors mandated the closure of several restaurants across Orange County due to significant health violations between October 16 and October 23. Establishments such as Plums, The Well, and Tacos Ocampo faced shutdowns but were permitted to reopen after addressing health issues. Similar concerns arose in San Luis Obispo County with multiple restaurants flagged for rodent and cockroach infestations. Health departments emphasize the importance of maintaining hygiene standards to prevent further closures and ensure public safety.
Costa Mesa, CA—A series of restaurant closures were enforced by health inspectors across Orange County between October 16 and October 23 due to significant health violations. Several establishments were initially ordered to shut down but were allowed to reopen after rectifying their violations following inspections.
Among the locations mandated to close were:
- Plums, 369 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa
- The Well, 2801 Brea Blvd., Fullerton
- Tacos Ocampo, 12432 Lampson Ave., Garden Grove
- Michael’s Kitchen, 15446 Goldenwest St., Westminster
- Food sales at K1 Speed, 1000 N. Edward Court, Anaheim
- The Flame Broiler, 1203 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton
- Food sales at The Home Depot, 6200 Irvine Blvd., Irvine
- Tacos & Co., 6620 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, was ordered closed on October 16 due to a cockroach infestation and was allowed to reopen on October 20.
Instances of health violations in San Luis Obispo County during December inspections also raised concerns as multiple restaurants were found with cockroach and rodent infestations. A total of 15 restaurants were noted to have lost points during inspections, primarily for evidence of vermin. Notable closures during this time included Mirazur Restaurant and Los Osos Mexican Market, due to immediate health hazards.
Health inspectors reported findings of cockroaches in receipt printers and food preparation areas, as well as rodent evidence in critical spaces, such as stored food. Additional establishments flagged for vermin issues included:
- Carlocks Los Osos Bakery: Rodent droppings in storage.
- Golden Gong Restaurant: Droppings located outside near storages.
- Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant: Evidence of rodent activity in the storage room.
- Kuma: Evidence of rodents throughout the facility.
- La Palapa Baywood: General rodent infestation noted.
However, follow-up inspections allowed some of these establishments to reopen after they effectively addressed the noted violations. Notable high-scoring establishments, such as Carlocks (95 points) and Golden Gong (95.5 points), maintained cleanliness and were not subjected to closures.
Additionally, in Riverside County, between June 19 and July 17, 24 restaurants faced closures due to health hazards, including issues like sewage backups, cockroach and rodent infestations, and insufficient hot water. Noteworthy closures in this period included Ramsey St. Sports Bar & Grill due to a cockroach infestation, Olga’s Tacos for plumbing issues, and Mr. Chi Boba Tea Corona, also for a cockroach infestation.
Temporary closures enacted due to health risks are often lifted once establishments have rectified issues and received an ‘A’ grade upon reinspection. Restaurants are required to address health concerns promptly to avoid poor health ratings that are visible to the public. Inspections focus on cleanliness, the proper temperatures for food, and hygiene practices, aiming to ensure public safety and health compliance across food establishments.
As a proactive measure, health departments encourage all food vendors and restaurants to maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness to prevent closures and ensure customer safety. The recent enforcement actions serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding health standards in the food industry.
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Additional Resources
- Orange County Register: Restaurant Closures
- Wikipedia: Main Page
- Patch: Riverside County Health Inspections
- Google Search: Restaurant Health Inspections
- Valley Central: El Pato Restaurant Closure
- Google Scholar: Restaurant Inspection Standards
- Patch: RivCo Restaurant Closures
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Safety
- KSAT: Roach Infestation Leads to Restaurant Closure
- Google News: Restaurant Closures
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
