Cockroach infestation shuts down sandwich eatery in mall

Live and dead cockroaches found in the kitchen of a northeast Calgary submarine sandwich shop has led to the business’s lengthy closure.

Alberta Health Services inspectors ordered Express Vietnamese Submarine, at 638-999 36th St. N.E., to close on Oct. 17 and address multiple hygiene concerns, including dead and living cockroaches discovered on a food preparation table, a dishwashing area, walls and floors.

“Dead cockroaches were observed behind ceiling light covers in the front service area,” added an AHS notice of closure.

“There were cockroach feces throughout the food premises.”

The order directed the operator of the kiosk in the Pacific Place mall to hire a pest control firm to eradicate the insects and a subsequent report from that company “must indicate that the food premises is free of pests, namely cockroaches.”

Other violations included perishable foods stored in overly warm coolers, dishwashing done in cold water with no sanitizing, improperly stored raw meats and an absent thermometer.

As of Wednesday, the kiosk was still shut down.