Dragon Express in Palmdale was shut down on May 13, 2025, after county health inspectors found serious vermin infestation and other sanitation failures. The business was ordered closed under California Health and Safety Code Section 114259.1. Operations are suspended until complete compliance is attained.
Highlights
- Dragon Express in Palmdale closed on May 13, 2025, due to major vermin infestation violation.
- One major and six other violations were recorded totaling 19 points.
- Their high-risk restaurant (31–60 seats) license has been suspended pending corrections.
Dragon Express’ Failed Health Inspection
Where: 3005 E Palmdale Blvd # 18 in Palmdale, California
When: May 13, 2025
The inspection was part of a routine observation of food establishments. Dragon Express has a facility ID number, FA0290435, and is classified as a high-risk restaurant with seating capacity for 31 to 60 customers. The restaurant permit, as per county records, was officially revoked at the end of the inspection, and food preparation and serving are not allowed until corrective measures have been completed.
The enforcement action cites California Health and Safety Code Section 114259.1 that mandates immediate closure where a vermin infestation has been confirmed in a food establishment. County inspectors recorded this closure under serial number, DA5086335, and category 1635 for a restaurant with 31–60 seats at high risk.
Inspection Findings at Dragon Express
Los Angeles County Public Health inspectors recorded seven separate violations during the May 13 inspection that amounted to 19 violation points under major, minor, and general requirement categories.
The most serious violation involved a vermin infestation confirmed by inspectors. Evidence of insects or rodents was recorded by inspectors in food preparation and storage facilities, which automatically equates to an 11-point violation, resulting in immediate closure under California law.
Among the minor issues, the inspector noted unclean food contact surfaces. Equipment and utensils that were dirty were observed across the kitchen, undermining food safety standards. No valid food safety certification was present on-site. Inspectors observed that employees were unable to demonstrate necessary food safety awareness when asked, raising concerns about proper food handling practices.
The general requirement violations exhibited structural and administrative shortcomings. The restaurant’s health permit was formally suspended, shutting down business until all violations are corrected and verified by county health officials.
To resume operations, Dragon Express must address all the offenses mentioned in the inspection report. The most serious is the infestation with vermin (offense #23), which is rated as a major offense at 11 points.
Other corrective actions include sanitizing all food contact surfaces properly (violation #14), demonstrating valid food safety certification of employees (violation #01b), presenting proof of adequate food safety knowledge (violation #01a), repairing compromised structural components (violation #44), and sanitizing all nonfood-contact surfaces (violation #33).
Suspension of the permit (violation #51) would be withdrawn only when all the violations have been corrected and attested to by health officials.
