Outback, 3 More Danbury Restaurants Fail Inspection

DANBURY, CT — Three franchise operations and a delicatessen failed health inspections in January, according to a report by the city's Department of Health and Human Services.

Duchess of Danbury, at 104 Mill Plain Road, racked up two automatic failures. Inspectors failed the kitchen for its hand-washing facilities as well as the temperatures it maintained during food storage, preparation, display, service, and/or transportation. Duchess also failed overall on points with a score of 72 (80 is a passing grade).

Outback Steakhouse, at 116 Newtown Road, and West Side Deli, at 101 Mill Plain Road, were both was charged with the same two automatic failures, and also failed on points, scoring 74.

Kennedy's Fried Chicken Restaurant, at 292 Main Street, was charged with the same hand-washing violation as well as two other automatic violations. It was also cited for improper storage and labeling of toxic materials, as well as a plumbing problem that could have impacted the drinking water.

Health inspectors rate commercial kitchens monthly on a 100-point scale in areas such as the availability of suitable hand cleaners and dry towels, whether potentially hazardous food is properly thawed, whether the mats are clean and in good repair, and dozens more. A restaurant must score 80 points or better to pass. Some violations, such as those surrounding the temperature at which food is stored, can result in automatic failures.

Restaurants that fail inspection are typically given 24 hours to remedy their problems and must pay a $250 fine.