SAVE GOKO CAFE!!! goes the e-mail sent to The Lagunan at least 6 times since a front-page story came out in the INDY about its imminent demise due to changing market conditions....and the fact, it turns out, that the OC Health Dept. noticed a few, er, infractions, pretty much every time it paid Goko a visit. Seems locals want to petition to keep this cute, homey, albeit grungy mom and pop cafe in a prime location where the landlords want to install a Quiznos sandwich shop.
Then an interesting exchange ensued, with a short message to all from an area journalist who received the "Save Goko!!!" e-mail, labeled "The other side of the story. " It went like this:
FYI - There is a reason the current owners of the building would like another business there. It is my understanding that while the community concern about Quiznos will be addressed, here are the health department reports for the past two years on GOKOS
http://foodinspections.ocgov.com/foodinspections/insp.aspx?record_id=PR0021705&agency=OCH&violsortfield=TB_CORE_INSPECTION_VIOL.ENTERED_BY&violsortorder=desc
Sure enough -- ick. But then it got even juicier.
Back came another e-mail from a fellow who took the time to search and report back on the OC Health Department's findings in several favorite Laguna eateries. Read on:
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Hello. Since you have plainly "accused" Goko's of running a dirty, unhealthy kitchen that should by all rights be closed, I think it only fair to point out that by using the same yard-stick, the following establishments should also be shot down – and each sooner than Goko’s!
In 2007 based on routine inspections year-to-date:
GOKO’S CAFE: 3 MAJOR violations, 11 minor violations
ANNALIESE SCHOOL 4 MAJOR violations, 12 minor violations
ANASTASIA’S CAFE: 5 MAJOR violations, 24 minor violations
COTTAGE RESTAURANT 5 MAJOR violations, 20 minor violations
ALISO CREEK INN 5 MAJOR violations, 15 minor violations, 1 PERMIT SUSPENSION
LOFT at Montage Hotel 5 MAJOR violations, 12 minor violations
A LA CARTE 5 MAJOR violations, 16 minor violations
CLAES at Hotel Laguna 6 MAJOR violations, 1 minor violation , 2 PERMIT SUSPENSIONS
QUIZNOS, Lake Forest 4 MAJOR violations, 24 minor violations
This information is readily available at the County website:
http://foodinspections.ocgov.com/foodinspections/main.aspx?agency=och
I’m glad that the County is tough on all our eating establishments, but Goko’s history with the health department provides ZERO justification for whether a long-standing business should be replaced with a cookie-cutter FRANCHISE.
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The Lagunan here again. I just have to wonder aloud -- has anyone ever worked in a restaurant or cafe? If so, you know what goes on behind the swinging door if the establishment's managers are not vigilant, whether mom and pop are in charge or someone hired to wear the tie. I know at least one person who was sickened after eating at Goko and never returned. Everyone needs to eat, even the creatures we call vermin. If restaurants aren't able to keep the varmints out of the ingredients, wash their dishes in water hot enough to kill bacteria, make sure the refrigerator is actually refrigerating, they should get their just deserts -- for everybody's good.
