Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery, a beloved Santa Monica institution known for its Godmother sandwich and Italian specialties, was ordered closed May 21 after county health inspectors discovered a rodent and insect infestation at the Lincoln Boulevard location.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health shuttered the deli at 1517 Lincoln Blvd. under California Health and Safety Code Section 114259.1, citing conditions that pose a potential health hazard to the public. During the inspection, county health officials documented 13 total violation points at the moderate-risk retail food market, with 11 points attributed specifically to the presence of vermin — a violation classified as “major” under health department standards.
Additional infractions involved equipment cleanliness and general maintenance of the facility’s floors, walls and ceilings. The closure has left regular customers without access to the deli’s signature sandwiches and Italian grocery items that have made it a neighborhood staple for years.
No reopening date has been announced. Regulars, and SMDP reporters, visiting the restaurant were surprised at the notification saying they had purchased from the store within hours of hearing about the closure. The store has been shuttered for several days with doors darkened and its once packed parking lot blocked by the gate. The health department has not provided details on when a follow-up inspection will occur.
The facility will remain closed until all violations are corrected and officials clear it for safe operation. County health inspections are conducted by Environmental Health Specialists from the department’s Environmental Health division on an unannounced, risk-based schedule. The inspection process evaluates facilities’ compliance with the California Retail Food Code across all key food safety criteria.
Higher-risk restaurants typically receive inspections about three times per year, while fast-food establishments are inspected roughly twice annually. Lower-risk venues, such as markets selling only prepackaged foods, are generally inspected once per year. Additional inspections may be triggered by complaints or follow-ups to poor scores or violations. During inspections, health officials examine multiple critical areas including food temperature control, proper food storage to prevent cross-contamination, employee hygiene practices, sanitization of equipment and facilities, and pest control measures.
Food temperature protocols require hot foods to be maintained at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit and cold foods at 41 degrees or below. Inspectors also verify that raw meats are kept separate from ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross-contamination. Employee hygiene standards mandate that workers maintain good health, wash hands properly and use gloves or utensils as required, with no bare-hand contact with ready-to-serve food. Hand-washing stations must be equipped with soap, hot water and remain accessible to staff. Equipment sanitization requirements ensure that food-contact surfaces, utensils and equipment remain clean and free of accumulated food debris or grease.
General facility maintenance standards apply to floors, walls and ceilings. Pest control verification confirms the absence of rodent and insect infestations, while utility inspections ensure establishments have potable water, proper sewage disposal and other necessary services. Operating without running water, for example, constitutes an immediate health hazard resulting in closure. Inspectors use standardized checklists and Food Inspection Report forms that mirror established food safety factors.
Violations are categorized by severity, and inspectors review findings with facility management at the inspection’s conclusion. Education remains a key component of the process, with inspectors often explaining proper practices to operators. Most routine inspections result in passing grades as long as severe problems are not identified. However, when conditions are deemed especially unsanitary or hazardous, inspectors have authority to take immediate enforcement action.
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery’s sudden closure has raised concerns among customers who have relied on the establishment for both prepared foods and market staples. The deli has been a longstanding fixture in the Santa Monica community, frequently praised for its authentic Italian offerings and generous sandwich portions. The facility will remain shuttered pending correction of all cited violations and clearance from public health officials for safe operation.
For inquiries about the health inspection report, the public can contact the Los Angeles County Public Health Department at (888) 700-9995.