Marina del Rey Steakhouse Closes Due to Pest Issues
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, a well-known establishment in Marina del Rey, has temporarily closed its doors due to a “pest infestation.” This restaurant, where patrons often spend over $70 on a filet mignon and around $20 for cocktails, shut down on February 17, as stated by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
In a recent inspection of the upscale venue, health inspectors identified multiple violations, several of which were considered “serious.” Two critical issues were related to the presence of unwanted pests and the cleanliness of food contact surfaces.
Other identified violations involved how equipment was stored and general maintenance, but those, according to officials, weren’t as pressing.
Interestingly, when a representative was contacted by The California Post, they mentioned that the restaurant was open for business.
“The latest health inspection results do not reflect our commitment to operating a clean and safe restaurant,” the spokesperson explained. “Following the Health Department’s decision regarding pest activity in a limited area, we have been working diligently with pest control. We expect to resume dinner service tonight at 6 p.m.”
They added, “Our guests’ and team members’ health and safety are paramount. We take pride in having some of the cleanest dining environments around and are dedicated to preventing a recurrence of this issue.”
On social media, especially within the r/FoodLosAngeles Reddit community, reactions to the news varied. Some users weren’t shocked about the situation. One commenter mentioned, “Last time we were there, the bar area was filthy—hardly anything was being cleaned. We opted just to drink instead of ordering food.” Meanwhile, others expressed disbelief, especially given the restaurant’s high prices. One remark pointed out how such costs seemingly don’t cover pest control.
In light of this incident, it’s worth noting that numerous restaurants in Los Angeles County have faced similar closures in recent weeks due to pest-related issues, with most being shut for a duration of two to five days. For instance, Elefante, another popular Santa Monica location known for its $120 ribeye steaks, closed temporarily on January 20 for pest problems but reopened just two days later after resolving the issue. A full list of such violations can be found on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s website.
