The Win-Dow, the walk-up smashburger spot known for its cheap eats and cult following, has been closed at its Silver Lake outpost after Los Angeles County health inspectors found a rodent and vermin infestation. A closure notice from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health now hangs at the Griffith Park Boulevard location, even as restaurant management has told customers the shutdown is simply for maintenance.
The conflicting explanations were reported by the New York Post, which detailed how county officials posted the closure notice at the Silver Lake window even as Win-Dow management characterized the closure differently to the public. Under California Retail Food Code as enforced locally, an imminent health hazard such as a vermin infestation can prompt an immediate closure by the county’s Department of Public Health.
The Win-Dow has built its reputation on affordable, high-quality smashburgers, and the brand has expanded across the region, with locations stretching from Venice to Hollywood. That growth trajectory made this closure especially jarring for regulars who have watched the counter-service concept multiply across Los Angeles County in just a few years.
A Bakery Next Door Had The Same Problem
The Win-Dow shares its Griffith Park Boulevard building with Modern Bread & Bagel, which was also closed by health officials over a vermin infestation on September 15. That inspection listed seven violations totaling 20 points, including an 11-point major violation tied to insects, rodents, birds, or other animals, and a separate 4-point citation for unclean food-contact surfaces, according to the Post’s reporting…