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 March 7.
Manhattan
Insomnia Cookies (17 W. 125th St.)
Violation Points: 99
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.Food preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
Han Dynasty (90 3rd Ave.)
Violation Points: 78
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.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.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.Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.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.
Counter & Bodega (216 7th Ave.)
Violation Points: 44
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS) at required temperaturesFood, 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.Brooklyn
Bonafini (693 Flatbush Ave.)
Violation Points: 75
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.Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.Food contact surface, refillable, reusable containers, or equipment improperly constructed, placed or maintained. Unacceptable material used. Culinary sink or other acceptable method not provided for washing food.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.
Natural Blend (243 Malcolm Blvd.)
Violation Points: 66
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.Juice packaged on premises with no or incomplete label, no warning statement. Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.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.No approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.Queens
JoyPot (23-10 Jackson Ave.)
Violation Points: 59
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.Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.Thawing procedure improper.
G’s Eatery & Bakery (135-36 Rockaway Blvd.)
Violation Points: 59
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment’s food or non-food areas.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.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.Wash hands sign not posted near or above handwashing sink.Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
101 APizza (12726 101st Ave.)
Violation Points: 45
Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment’s food or non-food areas.
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
Staten Island
Los Dos Mixetas (1285 Castleton Ave.)
Violation Points: 68
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.
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.
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
Wash hands sign not posted near or above handwashing sink.
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.
Harmful noxious gas or vapor detected. Carbon Monoxide (CO) level exceeds nine (9) ppm.