THE SAFETY ZONE: RESTAURANT REPORT

The environmental health division of Orange County’s Health Care Agency performs routine, unannounced inspections of the county’s more than 11,000 restaurants, markets and other food establishments. When conditions violate state law or applicable county and municipal codes, inspectors can issue notices of violation. If inspectors find during an announced recheck that conditions have not been corrected, they can effectively close the business by suspending its health permit. Health permits are reinstated as soon as the situation is corrected. Here is a rundown for March:

* Restaurant: Ruby’s Diner, 24155 Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills

Date closed: March 3. Reopened the same day.

Reasons cited: No hot water.

* Restaurant: El Toro Bravo, 745 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa

Dates closed: March 3-4

Reasons cited: Failure to comply with notice of violation; cockroaches; improper food storage.

* Restaurant: Coco’s, 3811 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana

Date closed: March 7. Reopened the same day.

Reasons cited: Sewage overflow from outside plumbing clean-out area.

* Restaurant: Sombrero Street, 7006, Katella Ave., Stanton

Dates closed: March 8-13

Reasons cited: Fire damage

* Restaurant: Sid’s Restaurant, 445 N. Newport Blvd., Newport Beach

Dates closed: March 9-10

Reasons cited: Failure to comply with Jan. 15 notice of violation; gross unsanitary conditions; filthy kitchen surfaces, dirty food preparation areas; dirty refrigeration equipment; dirty storage units; leaky faucet.

* Restaurant: Lu Khach Cafe, 13576 Harbor Blvd., No. B4, Garden Grove

Date closed: March 10. Reopened the same day

Reasons cited: No hot water; no sanitizer for dishware; no soap for washing hands.

* Restaurant: Golden Phoenix, 9927 Walker St., Cypress

Dates closed: March 10-12

Reasons cited: Rodent infestation throughout food preparation area

* Restaurant: Gus’ Grill, 2222 Michelson Drive, Irvine

Date closed: March 11. Reopened the same day.

Reasons cited: No hot water

* Restaurant: Ruby’s Diner, 13102 Newport Blvd., Tustin

Dates closed: March 15-16

Reasons cited: Sewage overflow from plumbing in dishwashing area.

* Restaurant: El Pollo Norteno, 202 N. Grand Ave., Santa Ana

Date closed: March 16. Reopened the same day.

Reasons cited: Lack of hot water.

* Restaurant: Plein Air Cafe, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach

Dates closed: March 16-18

Reasons cited: Failure to comply with 2/22/99 notice of violation; vermin infestation.

* Restaurant: Quan Hy, 10082 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove

Dates closed: March 17-18

Reasons cited: Heavy cockroach infestation in food preparation and storage areas.

* Restaurant: Olivae, Etc. Market, 1904 N. Tustin St., Orange

Dates closed: March 22-23

Reasons cited: New owners operating without an approved health permit; health permit denied because of cockroach infestation in food and food storage areas.

* Restaurant: Don Loi Seafood, 9717 Bolsa Ave., Westminster

Date closed: March 23. Not reopened as of April 5.

Reasons cited: Heavy rodent infestation.

* Restaurant: Minh Hoa, 12732 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove

Dates closed: March 24-25

Reasons cited: Cockroach infestation in food preparation and storage areas.

* Restaurant: Taco Neza, 1320 N. Grand Ave., Santa Ana Dates closed: March 24-26

Reasons cited: Failure to comply with notice of violation; lack of hand sink soap and paper towel dispensers; food temperature violations; use of unapproved equipment.

* Restaurant: Nhu Lan Restaurant, 9211 Bolsa Ave. Westminster

Date closed: March 24. Not reopened as of April 5.

Reasons cited: Failure to comply with notice of violation; significant rodent and cockroach infestations; other violations; permit revoked.

* Restaurant: Ardella’s Pizza, 2215 N. Orangemall Way, Orange

Dates closed: March 25-26

Reasons cited: Cockroach infestation in food preparation areas.

* Restaurant: Maxamar Ultimate Cigars, 3744 E. Chapman Ave., Orange

Date closed: March 26. Not reopened as of April 5.

Reasons cited: Operating without an approved permit.

* Restaurant: Grandma’s Chicken House, 6072 Lincoln Ave., Cypress

Dates closed: March 29-31

Reasons cited: Heavy rodent infestation in the kitchen and facility; numerous rat droppings throughout the facility.

Source: Health Care Agency; Researched by TIM WILSON / Los Angeles Times