Health Violations Lead to Closure of Eight Orange County Restaurants

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Several restaurants in Orange County have been closed to address serious health code violations.

News Summary

Orange County officials have closed eight food establishments, including The Cellar and Subway, due to serious health code violations identified during routine inspections. These actions aim to ensure public health and safety as establishments work towards compliance. Notably, The Cellar must implement corrective actions before its reinspection. Meanwhile, issues such as rodent infestations and employee hygiene failures at another eatery have raised concerns, highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance in food safety standards across the county.

Orange County officials have ordered the closure of eight food establishments due to serious health code violations from April 24 to May 1. These actions were executed by inspectors from the Orange County Health Care Agency during routine inspections aimed at ensuring public health and safety.

Among the establishments shut down, notable names include The Cellar, Subway, Master Hu, and The Fire Crab. The closures were prompted by various health code violations that presented a risk to food safety and consumer health, leading to the immediate suspensions of operations for these restaurants.

The Cellar, a new American restaurant located in San Clemente and known for its signature dishes such as truffle popcorn, duck ravioli, and lobster bisque, faced serious food safety violations during its inspection. To regain the ability to operate, The Cellar must implement necessary corrective actions before being allowed a reinspection, which is scheduled for April 9.

Subway, a popular quick-service chain, also experienced a shutdown due to a malfunctioning 3-compartment sink among additional violations detected during the inspection process. The timeline for Subway’s reinspection remains currently unclear.

Master Hu, an eatery specializing in Hunan cuisine located in Irvine, was ordered to close following an unsatisfactory performance during its health check, while The Fire Crab, located on Garden Grove Boulevard, was similarly shut down for non-compliance with health regulations.

Reinspections for both Master Hu and The Fire Crab have not been scheduled yet, leaving their paths to reopening uncertain.

Prior to this recent set of closures, another establishment, Long’s Kitchen in Irvine, was shut down on April 22. The restaurant was found to be out of compliance with health standards, which included alarming violations such as a rodent infestation. Upon inspection, inspectors noted rodent droppings and gnaw marks throughout the restaurant, prompting immediate action.

Furthermore, the inspection report highlighted significant employee hygiene issues, including an incident where an employee resumed food preparation after returning from a break without performing necessary handwashing. Additional concerns included cooked pork being stored at unsafe temperatures, improper storage of raw shell eggs above ready-to-eat foods, and uncovered food containers posing potential risks for contamination.

In order to resume operations, Long’s Kitchen must address the extensive violations cited during the inspection and remit a reinspection fee to meet health regulations.

The closures of these establishments underscore the ongoing vigilance required to maintain food safety standards within Orange County’s dining establishments. The Health Care Agency continues to prioritize public health through regular inspections and swift actions to mitigate health risks associated with food handling practices.

As reinspection dates are finalized for the other establishments, it remains critical for these eateries to take the necessary corrective steps to ensure compliance with health codes, ultimately protecting both their patrons and their business. The public is advised to stay informed about the status of these restaurants as well as their commitment to uphold safe food practices in the future.