Local

Midtown sushi restaurant closed over cockroaches

ATLANTA — A midtown restaurant shut down by the health department because of cockroaches remained closed Thursday.

Channel 2's Carol Sbarge looked into previous inspection reports and found out Ru San's on Piedmont Avenue failed an inspection just four months ago.

Sbarge learned the sushi restaurant has been cited for cockroaches. The latest inspection score is a 69 which is considered unsatisfactory.

But it was the cockroach violation that shut it down and even prompted a court citation for repeat violations.

Sbarge found the front door of Ru San's in midtown was still locked Thursday. The health department shut it down Monday due to what they call an imminent health hazard.

The inspector spotted cockroaches in various places including around the prep coolers and the service area.

Sbarge wanted to find out what they are doing to get rid of the bugs but no one with the restaurant would talk.

A longtime customer did.

"They normally have good food. I'm sorry to hear that. I'm really sorry to hear that," said customer Roy Brown.

Ru San's in midtown also failed it health inspection in April only getting a 56. The restaurant was respected in May, passing with a 74. But it was noted that a dead cockroach was spotted

Some of the violations in the latest failing inspection included ice used for consumption found stored in coffee counter, uncovered and subject to contamination, multiple potentially hazardous foods not held at 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and person in charge lacks awareness in key areas of risk factor control.

Wednesday Sbarge saw an exterminator at Ru San's. They can't reopen until they fix all the violations and eliminate the roach infestation.

"I've been to restaurants before where a cockroach was on the table and a friend of mine said 'I'm never coming back here again," customer Randy Whiting said.

Channel 2 Action News will be checking with the Fulton County Health Department and will report on the reinsertion results.