Near the corner of Mills Ave and Colonial Drive in the heart of the Mills50's Little Saigon district is the famed restaurant by the same name. The Saigon restaurant, found at 1106 E. Colonial Drive, was shut down earlier this week by the health inspector. The inspectors report, brought on by a complaint, include a number of disturbing comments including at least 36 different rodent droppings throughout the restaurant.
"observed rodent activity as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Fresh as follows: 11 on the floor under the first service table at the front counter. 3 on a shelf of the second service table at the front counter. 1 on the side of the wine rack at the front counter. 4 inside the wine rack at the front counter. 5 under the ice machine at the front counter. 9 under the beer cooler at the front counter. 3 stuck to the wall by the rear door. Old droppings as follows: 1 on shelf at the second service table at the front counter. 2 on the side of the wine rack and 4 inside the wine rack at the front counter. 2 on catch tray of the stove"
"Observed dead roaches on premises. 2 and pieces of roaches in the wine cabinet at the front counter."
There were also issues with food prep and cleanliness issues, including the use of raw beef in the soup.
"Required consumer advisory for raw/undercooked animal food not provided. Raw beef in soup."
"Hood not cleaned to bare metal prior to surfaces becoming heavily contaminated with grease or oily sludge."
"Observed food-contact surfaces encrusted with grease and/or soil deposits. Rice cooker x2 are soiled. The handles to the walk in's."
The next day the health inspector returned for a check up only to find...
"this time observed numerous live roaches as follows: 7 on the underside of the dish machine against the wall. 10 on the underside of the two small tables on the cook line. 3 in crevice of the spring roll table."
He also found some issues with food storage and grease build-up.
A health inspection in September found some violations involving the storage and handling of food along with some basic cleanliness issues but the restaurant was only issued a warning for each violation.
This is the popular Vietnamese eatery's second failed health inspection this year, they were also shut down for two days in March for violations that included;
" Observed roach activity as evidenced by live roaches found 25 on the underside of the dish machine. machine is at the end of the cookline "
"Observed the presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. pipe by the rear door has rodent rub marks to include about 15 feet of greasy pipe and ceiling "
"observed rodent activity as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Fresh as follows: 11 on the floor under the first service table at the front counter. 3 on a shelf of the second service table at the front counter. 1 on the side of the wine rack at the front counter. 4 inside the wine rack at the front counter. 5 under the ice machine at the front counter. 9 under the beer cooler at the front counter. 3 stuck to the wall by the rear door. Old droppings as follows: 1 on shelf at the second service table at the front counter. 2 on the side of the wine rack and 4 inside the wine rack at the front counter. 2 on catch tray of the stove"
"Observed dead roaches on premises. 2 and pieces of roaches in the wine cabinet at the front counter."
There were also issues with food prep and cleanliness issues, including the use of raw beef in the soup.
"Required consumer advisory for raw/undercooked animal food not provided. Raw beef in soup."
"Hood not cleaned to bare metal prior to surfaces becoming heavily contaminated with grease or oily sludge."
"Observed food-contact surfaces encrusted with grease and/or soil deposits. Rice cooker x2 are soiled. The handles to the walk in's."
The next day the health inspector returned for a check up only to find...
"this time observed numerous live roaches as follows: 7 on the underside of the dish machine against the wall. 10 on the underside of the two small tables on the cook line. 3 in crevice of the spring roll table."
He also found some issues with food storage and grease build-up.
A health inspection in September found some violations involving the storage and handling of food along with some basic cleanliness issues but the restaurant was only issued a warning for each violation.
This is the popular Vietnamese eatery's second failed health inspection this year, they were also shut down for two days in March for violations that included;
" Observed roach activity as evidenced by live roaches found 25 on the underside of the dish machine. machine is at the end of the cookline "
"Observed the presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. pipe by the rear door has rodent rub marks to include about 15 feet of greasy pipe and ceiling "