Roll-Inn reopens cockroach-free

  EDWARD LIN/Daily Bruin Roll-Inn sandwich shop on Gayley
Avenue has reopened after being shut down due to uncleanliness.

By Erin Inada
Daily Bruin Contributor

Roll-Inn, home of the “buck-fifty” sub sandwiches,
was ready to reopen Saturday after the Los Angeles County
Environmental Health Department shut it down on Feb. 15 due to
cockroach infestation.

The Westwood restaurant, located on 927 Gayley Ave., was also
cited for preparing food in an unlicensed storage room, and a
clogged floor drain.

Cockroaches spotted in all three stages of growth, including
eggs, immature and adult cockroaches were the cause for the
immediate closure, according to Terrance Powell, chief
environmental health inspector for the environmental health
department.

The owner of Roll-Inn was not available for comment.

Someone had called in to complain about the vermin infestation,
Powell said, and the seriousness of the violations was cause for
immediate closure.

“Our policy is that we do not allow facilities to stay
open and serve the public if conditions indicate that it is
unsafe,” Powell continued.

The restaurant currently has a “B” rating. On a
scale of one to 100, Powell said it received a six point deduction
for the vermin infestation, four points off for the food
preparation violation and one point off for the clogged floor
drain.

On its bi-annual inspection Feb. 8, the facilities did not
indicate grounds for closure, according to Powell. Because last
week’s inspection was not part of the normal bi-annual
visits, it is not included in the grading system for the
restaurant. Roll-Inn opened with the same “B” rating it
displayed prior to the closure.

Cases involving cockroaches and other vermin require restaurants
to remain closed for at least 48 hours, especially in cases like
Roll-Inn where there was “active infestation,” Powell
said. This time period is allotted for the proper precautionary
actions, including in some cases, pesticides to take effect and to
remove dead insects.

After the 48-hour period, restaurant owners can request a second
inspection to ensure the violations have been addressed. Roll-Inn
had its second inspection Saturday and was found ready to reopen by
inspectors.

The health department inspects about 35,000 different facilities
in the area.

“Closing facilities is not a routine activity,”
Powell said. “It is a small percentage of facilities that are
closed.”

Due to the cockroach infestation, Roll-Inn is considered a
high-risk restaurant, which means it will be inspected three times
a year rather than two. Restaurants inspected by the county are
categorized as low, moderate or high risk, and the frequency of
their inspections is adjusted accordingly.

Students have mixed reactions to the temporary closure of the
food stand.

“I would definitely worry about going back somewhere that
I have heard has been cited and closed,” said Miya Yamamoto,
a third-year neuroscience student. “What does that say about
that restaurant?”

Others are not phased by the temporary closure.

“I would go back,” said Collin Davis, a third-year
computer science student. “Everyone knows that these small
restaurants are dirtier, but they have good food.”

Although Powell said the restaurant reopened Saturday, some
students said it was closed on Sunday and Monday as well. Workers
at the restaurant would not say what day Roll-In reopened.