Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
Food

Popular Bay Cities Italian Deli in Santa Monica closed until further notice due to health code violations

Outside signage of Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery. There is a large planter with purple flowers in front of a brick building.
Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery in Santa Monica.
(
Mel Holtzman
/
LAist
)

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

Topline:

Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery in Santa Monica — famous for its Godmother cold cut sandwich, stuffed with prosciutto, mortadella, salami and other meats — has been ordered closed by L.A. County Public Health officials.

What happened? According to documents available on the L.A. County Department of Public Health website, "Bay Cities Italian Market" was closed on May 21. There was no reason given for the closure, although the Public Health document notes a “major” violation of the “no rodents, insects, birds, or animals” category. The records show that "Bay Cities Importing, Inc." — also located at 1517 Lincoln Blvd. — was closed on May 21 with the reason for closure stated as “vermin infestation.”

More details from Public Health: In an email to LAist, the L.A. County Department of Public health said the restaurant and market permits were suspended "due to cockroach infestation."

The department said vermin infestations are consistently the number one reason for permit suspensions.

Public Health said a revocation hearing is scheduled for Wed. May 28, "during which a determination will be made regarding the status of their public health permit."

Bay Cities response? No one with Bay Cities was immediately reachable for comment. A recorded message on the market’s phone line states that they would be temporarily closed “due to a decision that was made in consultation with the health department.” The person on the recorded message apologized to customers for any inconvenience.

Sponsored message

What’s next? It’s not clear how long Bay Cities will be closed. LAist has reached out to L.A. County Public Health for more information.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right