Jitlada closed after vermin finding

Los Angeles County health inspectors temporarily closed Jitlada, the long-running Thai restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in Thai Town, after a routine inspection found a vermin infestation, according to county records and KTLA. The closure took effect on April 30, and KTLA reported on May 13 that the restaurant had reopened on May 2 after managers corrected the problems. Jitlada did not publicly address the closure on social media, KTLA said, and the station said it did not receive an immediate response to requests for comment. The restaurant remains one of Los Angeles’ best-known Thai dining rooms, with recognition from the Michelin Guide and a national reputation built over years in Hollywood’s Thai Town. ### When was Jitlada actually closed? April 30 is the closure date cited by KTLA and reflected in Los Angeles County Environmental Health records. The county’s public inspection portal lists restaurant closures over the last 100 days and identifies vermin infestation under California Health and Safety Code Section 114259.1 as a closure reason used in recent cases. KTLA said Jitlada’s closure fell under that category. (ktla.com) May 2 is the reopening date KTLA reported for Jitlada. That means the restaurant was not closed on May 14 itself; rather, the closure became public through local reporting and county records this week. ### What did inspectors say they found? KTLA reported that Los Angeles County health inspectors shut Jitlada down for a “vermin infestation.” The station did not publish a full inspection sheet in its report, and the county’s general public portal page says detailed inspection reports for restaurant inspections conducted on or after Aug. 25, 2025, must be requested from the county’s custodian of records. (ktla.com) Los Angeles County’s retail food inspection guide says the Environmental Health Division is the local enforcement agency for restaurant inspections across most of the county, excluding Long Beach, Pasadena and Vernon. The county’s portal also says establishments can appear in closure listings and then reopen after correcting violations and passing follow-up review. (ktla.com) ### Which Jitlada is this? Jitlada’s website lists the restaurant at 5233 W. Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles, with walk-ins only and no reservations. KTLA identified the same restaurant as the Southern Thai destination in Thai Town on Sunset Boulevard. The restaurant’s website says chef Sarintip “Jazz” Singsanong and chef Suthiporn “Tui” Sungkamee took ownership in 2006. KTLA described Jitlada as a favorite of Anthony Bourdain and Jonathan Gold, underscoring why the closure drew attention beyond routine county inspection notices. (publichealth.lacounty.gov) ### How prominent is Jitlada in Los Angeles dining? The Michelin Guide lists Jitlada in its Los Angeles restaurant selection. Jitlada’s own website says it has been recognized by Michelin in multiple recent guide years, including 2025. (jitladala.com) KTLA reported that Singsanong was nominated by the James Beard Foundation for best chef in California in 2022 and 2023. (jitladala.com) The station also described the restaurant as celebrity-frequented and long established in Thai Town. ### How do these closures usually work in Los Angeles County? Los Angeles County says its public portal shows facility closures and citations for active restaurants, food markets and pools over the last 100 days. (guide.michelin.com) The same county page says users can search inspection activity for the last five years and request copies of newer inspection reports through a public-records process. (ktla.com) KTLA said Jitlada’s managers “quickly resolved the issues” and the restaurant reopened within two days. That sequence — closure, correction, then reopening — matches the county’s public explanation that facilities can return to operation after addressing violations. ### Where can diners check the status now? Los Angeles County directs the public to its Environmental Health inspection results page and closure portal for current status checks. (publichealth.lacounty.gov) Jitlada’s own website continues to list its Sunset Boulevard address and phone number, while the county portal is the official place to verify inspection and closure history. (ktla.com) May 14 county portal records and KTLA’s May 13 report indicate Jitlada had already reopened on May 2. Any later inspection updates or new reports would appear through the county’s Environmental Health system or through a records request for the underlying inspection report. (ktla.com) (publichealth.lacounty.gov)