San Jose, California — Terra Restaurant and Bar inside Eataly has been temporarily closed after Santa Clara County health officials discovered evidence of vermin contamination in the restaurant’s kitchen.
The closure followed an inspection of the larger Eataly food facility after the County of Santa Clara Environmental Health department received a public complaint alleging that rodents were present.
Although inspectors said they did not find rodents during their investigation, they discovered evidence of another pest problem on the third floor where Terra operates.
The findings were serious enough for health authorities to suspend the restaurant’s health permit.
Inspectors Find Live and Dead Cockroaches
According to the official inspection report, an environmental health inspector discovered a live cockroach crawling on the wall above the hand-washing sink in the kitchen.
The inspection also uncovered dead cockroaches in the food preparation area.
The report specifically documented dead cockroaches on the wall above the hand-washing sink, raising concerns about sanitation in an area where food is prepared.
The findings prompted officials to take immediate action rather than allowing the restaurant to continue operating while the violations remained unresolved.
Restaurant Takes Immediate Cleanup Measures
Health officials said Terra’s restaurant manager confirmed that pest control services were completed Thursday night after the inspection findings.
The facility was also reportedly thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. In addition, food that could potentially have been contaminated was discarded as part of the cleanup process.
Those steps are intended to address the conditions identified during the inspection and reduce the possibility of additional contamination.
However, completing pest control and cleaning does not automatically allow the restaurant to reopen.
Terra Must Pass Reinspection Before Reopening
According to Santa Clara County Environmental Health, Terra will remain closed until it addresses all outstanding items identified in the inspection report.
Once the restaurant believes the violations have been corrected, it must request a reinspection.
Health officials will then determine whether the problems identified during the original inspection have been resolved. Only after the department confirms that the facility meets the necessary health requirements can the restaurant’s operations resume.
The closure therefore remains temporary, but the timing of the reopening depends on how quickly the restaurant completes the required corrective measures and passes the follow-up inspection.
Public Complaint Triggered Investigation
The inspection began after a member of the public contacted county health officials with a complaint about rodents at the Eataly food facility.
While investigators did not find evidence of rodents during their visit, the complaint nevertheless led to a broader inspection that uncovered the cockroach activity.
The discovery highlights how complaints about potential food safety issues can lead inspectors to examine conditions throughout a facility rather than focusing only on the specific allegation.
For customers, the restaurant’s closure means Terra will remain unavailable until health officials determine that the pest and sanitation concerns have been properly addressed.
The county’s inspection process is now focused on confirming that the restaurant has eliminated the identified problems and can safely resume food service.
What do you think about the health department’s decision to temporarily close Terra? Would a cockroach discovery make you avoid a restaurant even after it passes a reinspection? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
