NEW YORK CITY — Vermin, dirty dishes and poor personal cleanliness — restaurants across the city have dirty secrets they’d rather not share. But New York City’s Health Department is watching.
Every year, inspectors arrive unannounced at more than 25,000 restaurants to examine health and safety standards. Most eateries pass inspections, but some fall short of the city’s standards, accruing violation points for everything from broken light bulbs to “public health hazards,” like vermin and failure to follow food safety protocols.
Restaurants hit with non-food-safety violations might get a fine or a lower letter grade, with zero to 13 points warranting an ‘A’ and violations totaling 28 points or more earning a ‘C’ (this system is criticized for its efficacy by some gourmands).
Public health hazards that can’t be resolved on the spot, like a mouse or fly infestation, pose a bigger issue: immediate closure.
Here’s all the eateries that the Department of Health closed down since January 9.
Manhattan
Green Garden Village (216 Grand St.)
Violation Points: 66
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.Tobacco or electronic cigarette use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area.Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.Brooklyn
Jamaican Family Pot (9103 Avenue L)
Violation Points: 55
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment’s food or non-food areas.Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
Pakiza Restaurant (1032 Coney Island Ave.)
Violation Points: 13
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment’s food or non-food areas.Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
Yummy 88 (130 Wilson Ave.)
Violation Points: 63
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.No handwashing facility in or adjacent to restroom or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Handwashing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment’s food or non-food areas.Staten Island
Ambrosinos Pizzeria (3161 Amboy Rd.)
Violation Points: 41
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment’s food or non-food areas.
Masala Harbor (323 Victory Blvd.)
Violation Points: 54