An ongoing problem with rats and rat droppings has led to the closure of a Los Angeles Subway sandwich shop and a demonstration against the owner by employees.
Workers held “fast food workers on strike” signs as they participated in a brief rally outside the store on 4919 Eagle Rock Blvd. Thursday afternoon.
Eva Rodriguez told KTLA’s Rick Chambers that the infestation has been going on for about a year, but complaints from workers have been ignored.
Now, a Notice of Closure from the L.A. County Department of Public Health has been posted on the Subway’s door with “Vermin Infestation” listed under the violations section.
Video obtained by KTLA showed one worker pushing a dead rat around with a broom, while vermin droppings on sandwich bags, chewed bread, and other supplies were seen in other images.
Employees are calling for the owner to hire professionals to keep the rats out of the restaurant.
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Rat droppings are seen on Subway sandwich bags in this image provided by a third party. -
A chewed up loaf of bread with a rat dropping is seen in this image provided by a third party. -
An employee is seen pushing a dead rat with a broom in this image taken from video provided by a third party. -
A rat caught in a trap is seen in this image taken from video provided by a third party. -
A Notice of Closure is seen on the door of a Subway Restaurant in Eagle Rock on Sept. 4, 2025. (KTLA) -
Employees demonstrate on Sept. 4, 2025, outside a Subway restaurant in Eagle Rock that was closed over a rat infestation. (KTLA)
Susanne Ortega, a stylist at nearby Great Clips, says the Subway infestation could affect her customers.
“If they saw one, we could lose our client base, and they can shut us down because they saw a rat here, and that would not be acceptable,” Ortega said. “We’re glad that they actually closed down.”
It was unclear how long the closure would remain in place.
KTLA has reached out to Subway’s corporate office and is awaiting a response.