Is S. Russell Chinese Restaurant on the Brink of Closure? Shocking Health Violations Exposed!

A restaurant in South Russell Village, Ohio, is on the brink of closure due to ongoing health code violations, according to officials from Geauga Public Health. The situation has escalated to a point where the Geauga County Board of Health, during a meeting on November 19, voted to send a two-week warning letter to Hunan by the Falls, located at 508 Washington St., regarding the potential suspension of its license.

The violations at Hunan by the Falls have persisted since January, raising alarms among health officials. Dan Lark, the Environmental Health Director, informed the board that the restaurant had failed to rectify its repeated health issues. “We have a restaurant that we’ve been having some issues with and we’re bringing it up as we’re at the point where we’d like your permission or approval to issue them a notice to suspend their license if they don’t get things fixed,” Lark stated. Typically, establishments address violations before reaching this critical juncture.

In the board meeting, Lark noted that the health department conducts multiple inspections and reinspections before considering a suspension. Following an office hearing that included discussions with the restaurant about its failure to improve, a follow-up inspection was conducted, which revealed that the restaurant had not corrected its previous violations. Lark presented the board with photographic evidence of the infractions, which included:

• A rack of ribs stored in a hand sink
• Raw chicken placed above vegetables in storage
• Unsanitary storage of food in cardboard boxes
• Food stored on the floor of a walk-in cooler
• Chemicals improperly stored in the kitchen
• Utensils sitting in stagnant water

While each violation may not seem severe on its own, Lark emphasized that the persistence of these issues is concerning. “The problem is, these are all repeat violations at this location,” he said. “They’re not correcting themselves.” Under Ohio law, unless there is an immediate health threat, the board must issue a two-week notice before any suspension can occur, allowing the restaurant the opportunity to appeal the decision.

Geauga Public Health Administrator Adam Litke expressed a desire for the health team to conduct another inspection before the Thanksgiving holiday, highlighting the urgency of the situation. “We’ll still go through the process, but if for some reason they don’t get better, we’re shutting them down right before Christmas,” he warned. Litke added that the last establishment that faced closure before a holiday has yet to recover, stating, “Obviously, when the sign goes up saying ‘health department says don’t eat here,’ that carries a lot of weight for quite awhile.”

In contrast, Aileen Chin, the front manager and co-owner of Hunan by the Falls, told the Geauga Maple Leaf that the restaurant is taking the matter seriously. “We take it very seriously. We’ve been hiring professionals to clean and then have been educating all our employees to follow the guidelines,” Chin said. She pointed out that the restaurant has already made improvements before the health department meeting and emphasized their commitment to ensuring compliance with health regulations.

Hunan by the Falls has a long-standing reputation in the community and has received accolades from Cleveland Magazine, including being voted the best Chinese restaurant on the east side of Cleveland in both 2018 and 2025. Additionally, it was awarded a Silver Spoon in 2020, demonstrating its popularity among local patrons.

As the health department prepares for further inspections, the future of Hunan by the Falls hangs in the balance. The outcome will not only affect the restaurant’s operations but could also impact its loyal customer base, many of whom have supported the establishment throughout its 35 years in the community. Whether the restaurant can rectify its issues in time remains to be seen, but both local officials and its management are hopeful for a resolution that prioritizes food safety and community trust.