Health Department shuts down SeaTac branch of 13 Coins restaurant

SEATAC, Wash. — Public Health said the restaurant at 18000 Pacific Highway South was closed Monday afternoon for the following violations:

•             Potentially hazardous foods at unsafe temperatures

•             Improper cooling of potentially hazardous food

•             Inadequate facilities to control temperature of potentially hazardous food, hot/cold holding

•             Hand washing facilities not working properly

The restaurant may reopen once an inspector confirms that the issues have been resolved.

Public Health said reasons for immediate closures of a food service establishment are receiving a high score on a routine inspection*, sewage backing up in a kitchen or bathroom, no hot or running water, no electricity, lack of an operating permit or other imminent health hazards such as broken refrigeration, damage caused by accidents or natural disasters or when an establishment is linked to a food borne illness outbreak.

13 Coins, which is open 24 hours, also has a downtown Seattle branch.

The Seattle institution has been a mainstay for late-night diners since 1967 and is known for its exhibition kitchen where diners can watch the chefs prepare their food, high-backed booths and swiveling captain’s chairs.

According to the restaurant's website, 13 coins was voted number two on the top five list of late night restaurants by the Food Network in 2007.  In 2013, the Boren Avenue location was the winner of Citysearch's list of best 24-hour restaurants in Seattle for 2013.

One of the owners of 13 Coins said over the phone that the problems found by health inspectors were unacceptable and he rushed to fix them.  "We take these things very seriously," he said.  "We handle these types of issues the way any restaurant should.  That's why we look forward to serving the community for the next 40-50 years."

* The inspection is based on a 400 point system. The violations are added up between red and blue violations. If the total red critical violations is 90 or more, or the total of red and blue is 120 or more, then the establishment will be closed.

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