Below is a list of the eight restaurants in Los Angeles County with the highest numbers of retail food code violations observed during routine and owner-initiated inspections between July 1, 2013 and March 31, 2015. The data was generated by restaurant inspections conducted by environmental health specialists working for the county Department of Public Health and excludes the cities of Long Beach, Pasadena and Vernon.
1. Jade BBQ & Seafood Restaurant
Location: 7808 Garvey Ave., Rosemead, CA 91770
Violations: 77
Inspections: 7
Average grade: B (81.61)
Permit suspensions*: 1 (July 15, 2014)
Yelp rating: 2.5 stars
Noteworthy: This restaurant has a history of improper thawing methods for frozen meat and keeping food at unsafe temperatures. For example, on July 15, 2014 an inspector observed that the steam table in the buffet line was turned off, leaving 48 pounds of cooked food between 65 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours.
2. Amrose
Location: 529 East Valley Blvd., Ste. 168, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Violations: 63
Inspections: 5
Average grade: B (84.25)
Permit suspensions: 0
Yelp rating: 3 stars
Noteworthy: In four of five inspections, the restaurant was docked for having inadequate handwashing facilities.
3. Jim’s Burgers
Location: 4549 Rosemead Blvd., Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Violations: 62
Inspections: 6
Average grade: B (83)
Permit suspensions: 0
Yelp rating: 3 stars
Noteworthy: The restaurant’s permit was suspended in September 2013 after the operator repeatedly failed to post a letter C grade it received during a routine inspection.
4. Sunny Restaurant
Location: 11635 East Valley Blvd., Ste. C, El Monte, CA 91732
Violations: 60
Inspections: 6
Average grade: B (87.78)
Permit suspensions: 0
Yelp rating: 4 stars
Noteworthy: In all six inspections, the restaurant was docked for plumbing issues.
5. Armando’s Mexican Restaurant
Location: 132 West Valley Blvd., San Gabriel, CA 91776
Violations: 58
Inspections: 6
Average grade: B (84.88)
Permit suspensions: 0
Yelp rating: 4 stars
Noteworthy: The highest score the restaurant received during the 21 months was a 91 out of 100.
6. Yummy House
Location: 20781 Amar Rd., Walnut, CA 91789
Violations: 58
Inspections: 5
Average grade: C (77.52)
Permit suspensions: 0
Yelp rating: 3 stars
Noteworthy: The restaurant was allowed to continue operating when three major violations, including dirty food contact surfaces, were observed during an inspection in August 2013.
7. Charlie’s Pantry
Location: 12265 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604
Violations: 58
Inspections: 7
Average grade: B (83.95)
Permit suspensions: 2 (Jan. 17, 2014; Nov. 25, 2014)
Yelp rating: 3.5 stars
Noteworthy: When the restaurant was closed in January 2014, two major infractions — dirty utensils and a lack of hot water — were observed, but the restaurant still received an A grade.
8. Apple Jack Coffee Shop
Location: 10472 Valley Blvd., El Monte, CA 91731
Violations: 58
Inspections: 6
Average grade: B (86.28)
Permit suspensions: 0
Yelp rating: 3.5 stars
Noteworthy: The restaurant was allowed to continue operating in March 2014 when three major violations, including improper handwashing by employees, were observed.
To learn more about retail food standards, read the county’s inspection guide and the California Retail Food Code.
*Includes only permit suspensions issued during routine or owner-initiated inspections. Permit suspensions can also occur during reinspections and complaint investigations.
This article has been updated from an earlier version to correct the amount of cooked food left at room temperature at Jade BBQ & Seafood Restaurant and the number of violations observed at Jim’s Burgers.
