SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, August 18, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health temporarily shut down, a Panda Express, a popular fast-casual restaurant in Santa Monica located at 804 Montana Avenue. The health department inspected the location and found a vermin infestation California Health and Safety Code Section 114259.1, leading to the restaurant’s shutdown.
The Panda Express location received a significant 11-point deduction due to the presence of insects, rodents, or birds, which is a MAJOR VIOLATION. They also received 1-point deductions for the following: non-food contact surfaces clean, adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas, use and floors, walls and ceilings properly built, maintained and clean.
This not the first restaurant shut down in the Los Angeles area. In August, several restaurants were closed following health inspections including California Fresh off Westwood Boulevard, Continental Kitchen BH off Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, Wacky Wok off Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, and many others.
The Panda Express location remains closed and has not reopened as of Friday, August 21.
