One of Los Angeles’s most beloved and long-standing restaurants was forced to close its doors this month after health inspectors discovered a serious vermin infestation inside the kitchen — shocking loyal customers who have been dining there for decades.
Dan Tana’s, a legendary Italian restaurant located on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood that has been serving gourmet Italian food for over 60 years, was cited by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for two serious health violations in April 2026.
The primary violation was an 11-point deduction for vermin infestation, meaning inspectors found insects, rodents, or birds inside the restaurant. The second violation involved unsanitary food contact surfaces — meaning the cutting boards and counters where food is prepared were not being properly maintained or cleaned.
Health department records show that Dan Tana’s was forced to close on April 15, 2026. The restaurant worked quickly to fix the problems and was allowed to reopen just three days later on April 18.
The restaurant, which describes itself as a place where “we treat everybody like family,” has not addressed the closure on its official social media pages. Loyal customers expressed disbelief online, with many saying they had trusted the restaurant for years.
Health officials note that vermin infestation is by far the most common restaurant violation in Los Angeles County, affecting even the most high-end and respected establishments. Each month, dozens of restaurants across LA are shut down for similar reasons.
Food safety experts remind diners that even famous, long-running restaurants are not immune to health violations — and that checking local inspection records before dining out is always a smart move.
