WATERBURY, Conn. (WFSB) – Thirty-four food establishments in Waterbury were cited for staying open during last month\u2019s water main break despite health department orders to close, city officials said.<\/p>\n
The cited restaurants include multiple McDonald\u2019s and Subway locations, as well as several local establishments. Health Director Aisling McGuckin said FDA food code requires restaurants to close when water quality cannot be assured.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe FDA food code dictates the presence of any possible contaminant requires them to close,\u201d McGuckin said. \u201cThe quality of the water is not assured, and per the FDA food code, you have to close.\u201d<\/p>\n
The water main break created potential contamination risks including E. coli and other bacteria in the city\u2019s water supply, making it unsafe for cooking, cleaning or drinking in restaurants.<\/p>\n
Thomas Gould, owner of Brass City Bistro on Hamilton Avenue, said he was unaware of the closure requirement until health department officials visited his restaurant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t experience anything. We didn\u2019t lose any water, no pressure. So, I didn\u2019t find out until the health department came over and asked us to shut down,\u201d Gould said.<\/p>\n
Gould said he immediately closed the restaurant when officials arrived, even interrupting customers\u2019 meals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had the dining room booked out, the bar was full, the whole restaurant was full and he says \u2018Mr. Gould, you\u2019re going to have to shut down. So, now I have to go and tell all the people that are here that we can\u2019t serve them,\u201d Gould said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got them halfway fed, and you can\u2019t finish up.\u201d<\/p>\n
The closure rules proved confusing for approximately 800 food establishments in Waterbury. While most complied with the orders, health officials said some restaurants attempted workarounds that still posed health risks.<\/p>\n
The health department observed establishments exclusively using bottled water, boiling water or replacing hand washing with hand sanitizer. Officials said those efforts were insufficient and still created safety concerns.<\/p>\n
Other restaurants cited include Wendy\u2019s and Jersey Mike\u2019s Subs on Wolcott Street, as well as Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant and La Cazuela Mexican Restaurant on East Main Street.<\/p>\n
None of the cited establishments were fined, but McGuckin said they will receive additional scrutiny during future inspections.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere may be other aspects of food preparation that they don\u2019t understand. They may need education for,\u201d McGuckin said. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s necessarily a slap on the wrist because they\u2019ll be getting additional attention as we go through the year at their regularly scheduled visits. And I don\u2019t think anybody invites extra attention.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGuckin acknowledged the health department learned from the experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe learned that we should\u2019ve been telling people not to go out to eat,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The health department plans follow-up visits with cited restaurant owners to prevent similar issues in the future.<\/p>\n
This is the complete list of the 34 food establishments in Waterbury that were cited for staying open during last month\u2019s water main break on Thomaston Avenue: <\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s Cafe, 500 Bank Street<\/p>\n
Amalfi Pizza, 580 Wolcott Street<\/p>\n
Antonio\u2019s Pizza and Deli, 3005 East Main Street<\/p>\n
Bakery Bread from Heaven II, 1864 East Main Street<\/p>\n
Brass City Bistro, 816 Hamilton Avenue<\/p>\n
Brazilian Centro Bakery, 1575 South Main Street<\/p>\n
Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant, 1816 East Main Street<\/p>\n
Checkers Convenience and Deli, 496 Frost Road<\/p>\n
Cumberland Farms, 1359 Thomaston Avenue<\/p>\n
Diorio Restaurant and Bar, 207 Bank Street<\/p>\n
Frankie\u2019s Family Restaurant, 464 Reidville Drive<\/p>\n
Golden Wok II, 464 Reidville Drive<\/p>\n
Jersey Mikes Subs, 901 Wolcott Street<\/p>\n
Kocina Latina Deli, 911 South Main Street<\/p>\n
La Cazuela Restaurant, 1812 East Main Street<\/p>\n
Los Garcia Deli, 812 East Main Street<\/p>\n
Mamajuana Cafe, 950 Wolcott Street<\/p>\n
McDonald\u2019s, 184 Chase Avenue<\/p>\n
McDonald\u2019s, 881 Wolcott Street<\/p>\n
Pontelandolfo Community Club, 380 Farmwood Road<\/p>\n
Popeye\u2019s Louisiana Kitchen, 650 Wolcott Street<\/p>\n
Red Corner, 780 Lakewood Road<\/p>\n
Sabor Ecuatoriano II, 606 South Main Street<\/p>\n
San Marino Restaurant, 111 Thomaston Avenue<\/p>\n
The New Santopietro Deli and Catering, 11 Meriline Avenue<\/p>\n
Spartan Restaurant, 970 Chase Parkway<\/p>\n
Subway, 1344 Meriden Road<\/p>\n
Subway, 464 Reidville Street<\/p>\n
Sultan\u2019s Turkish Restaurant, 586 Plank Road<\/p>\n
Sun Hing Chinese Restaurant, 2523 East Main Street<\/p>\n
New Sun Kee Kitchen, 500 Bank Street<\/p>\n
Verdi Restaurant, 660 Park Road<\/p>\n
Wendy\u2019s, 910 Wolcott Street<\/p>\n
Wing It On, 516 Frost Road<\/p>\n
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