Eatery closed for mice

SOUTH GLENDALE — A 42-year-old local eatery reopened Friday after health inspectors shut it down earlier this week when they found a dead mouse and animal droppings inside, officials said.

Los Angeles County health inspectors Wednesday conducted a standard biannual check at Scarantino’s Italian Inn, 1524 E. Colorado St., when they found the vermin infestation, said Ken Murray, chief environmental health specialist at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Inspectors ordered that the restaurant immediately close its doors for 48 hours to fix the problem, he said.

A county health inspector Friday examined the restaurant’s changes and approved its reopening, said Sarah Kissell, a county public health spokeswoman.

“We just have to shut it down whenever we find rats or cockroaches,” Murray said, adding that the inspectors do not tolerate pest infestation at any eateries throughout the county.

A sign posted on the restaurant’s front door said it was closed Thursday for cleaning and renovations. A small county sign on a window advised visitors of the reason for the restaurant’s closure, citing two California Health and Safety codes.

A man who answered the restaurant’s phone Friday, and went by the name Sam, said the longtime Glendale eatery never had problems with rodents in the past.

The restaurant’s operators hired a pest control company to handle the rodent issue, he said, adding that crews also patched up walls.

A few concerned customers called the restaurant about its temporary closure, he said.

The closure, he said, was disappointing, but he was looking forward to its reopening.

“Things happened here, and hopefully we’ll get it all back together here,” Sam said.

County health inspector checked Scarantino’s in April and September last year and reported no major problems, and the restaurant received an “A” rating, Murray said.

Because the restaurant had rodent infestation, health inspectors will perform more frequent and unannounced checks, Murray said.

Health inspectors also temporarily closed the famous Philippe the Original restaurant in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday for cockroach infestation, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Restaurant operators were also allotted 48 hours to fix the problem.

The restaurant passed inspection Friday, according to the Los Angeles Times.