THE SAFETY ZONE: RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS

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 county and municipal codes, inspectors can issue notices of violation. If inspectors find during an announced recheck that conditions have not been rectified, they can effectively close the business by suspending its health permit. Health permits are reinstated as soon as the situation is rectified. Here is a rundown for January:

Restaurant: SBARRO’S, 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana

Dates closed: Jan. 5-6

Reason cited: Failure to comply with Notice of Violation; inadequate temperature control; lack of hot water to restroom hand sinks

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Restaurant: PARADISE COFFEE, 114 Avenida Pico, San Clemente

Dates closed: Jan. 5-6

Reason cited: Failure to comply with Notice of Violation; dirty floors; case of goods on floor; unused equipment; trash and old equipment in alley

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Restaurant: PENGUIN’S PLACE, 10879 Los Alamitos Blvd., Los Alamitos

Date closed: Jan. 6. Reopened the same day.

Reason cited: Heavy cockroach infestation throughout the food storage and service areas

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Restaurant: MARTA’S PIZZA AND PANADERIA, 6967 Cerritos Ave., Stanton

Dates closed: Jan. 7-8

Reason cited: Fire in restroom ventilation system resulted in soot and fire damage throughout the facility, causing unsafe or unsanitary operating conditions

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Restaurant: NHA HANG SO 9, 9541 Bolsa Ave., Garden Grove

Dates closed: Jan. 11-13

Reason cited: Noncompliance with Notice of Violation; improper cooling of foods, lack of facility sanitation

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Restaurant: GREAT WALL GOURMET EXPRESS, 1281 W. Central Ave., Brea

Dates closed: Jan. 11-13

Reason cited: Sewer waste flooding kitchen area floors; filthy equipment and establishment surfaces

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Restaurant: STARBUCKS COFFEE, 184 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

Date closed: Jan. 13. Reopened the same day.

Reason cited: Sewage spill inside facility

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Restaurant: CARL’S JR., 18032 Culver Drive, Irvine

Date closed: Jan. 19. Reopened the same day.

Reason cited: Sewage backup and overflowing inside facility

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Restaurant: WILLIAMS SONOMA RETAIL, 2027 Brea Mall, Brea

Dates closed: Jan. 19-20

Reason cited: Noncompliance with Notice of Violation; cockroach infestation

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Restaurant: IRVINE LANES, 3415 Michelson Drive, Irvine

Dates closed: Jan. 22-23

Reason cited: Heavy rodent infestation