An iconic restaurant in Los Angeles has had to shut its doors temporarily due to a serious pest issue.
Jitrada, a well-loved Southern Thai spot on Sunset Boulevard celebrated by figures like Anthony Bourdain and Jonathan Gold, was ordered to close by the Los Angeles County Health Department.
This closure happened on April 30 after inspectors flagged some health code violations. Thankfully, the restaurant quickly addressed these concerns and was able to reopen by May 2.
While they didn’t make much noise about the situation on social media, they did release a brief statement addressing it.
“We take health and safety very seriously and have already taken additional precautions,” the statement indicated.
In 2026, the Los Angeles County Health Department reported 120 pest infestation warnings issued to various restaurants, with 67 of those happening just in April.
Other notable establishments facing similar scrutiny included Dan Tana in West Hollywood, the event kitchen at San Vicente Bungalows, and the rooftop dining venue at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Even some school cafeterias and local grocery stores, including Gardena Supermarket, faced closures due to pest-related issues.
The citations didn’t stop there; King Harbor Yacht Club in Redondo Beach was cited on May 4, followed by Rick Bayless’ Red O in Santa Monica on May 5. Also included in the 2026 citations were popular spots like the Los Angeles Zoo restaurant and Genghis Cohen.
If a restaurant takes on such a citation, it must close for at least 48 hours and is strongly encouraged to contact a pest control service.
The term “pest infestations” can refer to various issues, from rodents to cockroaches and even flies.
Health officials emphasize that businesses need to pinpoint where infestations might occur, devise effective prevention tactics, and keep tabs on any rodent activity around their premises.
After remediation, businesses can request an inspection, and a passing grade allows them to reopen.
Jitrada has roots in East Hollywood’s Thai Town, having opened in 1970. The restaurant was taken over in 2007 by brothers Sarinthip “Jazz” Sinsanon and Stiphorn “Tui” Sunkamy.
It’s been featured on several food shows, including Food Network’s Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins and Travel Channel’s Food Paradise. Chef Jazz has earned nominations for the James Beard Foundation’s California Best Chef award in both 2022 and 2023 and was noted in the Michelin Guide in 2025.
