Italian eatery Bay Cities Deli addresses shutdown initiated by health department.
Santa Monica's century-old Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery, renowned for its Godmother sandwich, was forced to close indefinitely last week following a health department inspection. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health suspended the deli's permit due to a severe cockroach infestation, as well as numerous other infractions related to cleanliness and food safety.
Representatives for Bay Cities maintained that no rodents were discovered during the inspection, contradicting multiple media reports. However, a health department representative clarified that vermin infestations, including cockroaches, are classified as "critical risk factors" and pose an imminent health hazard.
iera for the deli said the inspection uncovered 14 violations, including issues with the floors, walls, ceilings, food surfaces, food storage, unsanitary equipment, and proper temperature control for hot and cold food.
In response, Bay Cities issued a public statement on their Instagram account, acknowledging the violations but refuting claims of a rodent infestation. The statement also expressed their commitment to collaborating with the Health Department and external professionals to rectify the identified issues and reopen as soon as possible.
A hearing scheduled for May 28 will determine if Bay Cities' permit will be permanently revoked due to the repeated suspensions. According to public records, several other food facilities in L.A. County were shut down in May for similar reasons.
Bay Cities previously celebrated its centennial anniversary this year, serving as a popular destination for Italian specialty goods and sandwiches made with imported and domestic deli meats and cheeses. Its closure marks a significant setback for the iconic deli and the local food scene.
sources: 1 - The Los Angeles Times, 2 - Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery Instagram, 3 - Los Angeles Public Health Department, 4 - Santa Monica Mirror, 5 - KTLA
- The iconic Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery in Los Angeles, California, which is famed for its Godmother sandwich, is under threat of permanent closure due to repeated health violations.
- According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the deli's issues include problems with floors, walls, ceilings, food surfaces, food storage, unsanitary equipment, and temperature control for hot and cold food.
- Despite claiming no rodents were found during the inspection, the health department regards vermin infestations, including cockroaches, as "critical risk factors" that pose an imminent health hazard.
- In response to the situation, Bay Cities has promised to collaborate with the Health Department and external professionals to address the violations and reopen the deli, impacting both its business and California's health-and-wellness scene.
