Health inspectors from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health descended on Golden Dragon Palace on a Tuesday afternoon following a tip from a concerned employee. What they found inside the bustling Chinatown dim sum restaurant shocked even seasoned inspectors.
Live rodents were observed scurrying beneath prep stations, and evidence of rodent droppings was documented in the dry storage area, beneath the main wok station, and near the walk-in refrigerator. A nest was discovered between walls in the back storage room. Inspectors noted 23 separate violations during the visit, including three immediately dangerous-to-health infractions.
The restaurant, which had been operating for over 12 years and was a local institution known for weekend dim sum service, received a closure order effective immediately. Staff were visibly distraught as the closure notice was posted on the front door.
'We take these violations extremely seriously,' said a spokesperson for the LA County Department of Public Health. 'Rodent infestations pose a serious risk of disease transmission and contamination of food products.'
Golden Dragon Palace was permitted to reopen three days later after a licensed exterminator treated the premises, staff completed a mandatory food safety retraining, and a follow-up inspection confirmed remediation. The restaurant's score dropped to 67 — a C grade — upon reopening, with owners pledging a comprehensive deep cleaning protocol and quarterly pest control service going forward.
Regular customers expressed surprise at the closure. 'I've eaten here every Sunday for seven years,' said one longtime patron. 'It's a wake-up call that you should always check the scores before you eat somewhere.'