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 May 15.
Manhattan
Crepe House (103 Dyckman St.)
Violation Points: 33
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.
Harlem Halal Food Court (66 W. 116th St.)
Violation Points: 97
Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include houseflies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS) at required temperatures
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
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.
Brooklyn
Lello's Pizza (4018 Glenwood Road)
Violation Points: 55
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.
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.
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.
Lucy's Coffee (2015 Atlantic Ave.)
Violation Points: 45
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.
Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
No approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.
Chilo's (323 Franklin Ave.)
Violation Points: 65
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.
Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS) at required temperatures
Mechanical or natural ventilation not provided, inadequate, improperly installed, in disrepair or fails to prevent and control excessive build-up of grease, heat, steam condensation, vapors, odors, smoke or fumes.
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.
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Queens
Melting Pot Cusine (36-01 Vernon Blvd.)
Violation Points: 92
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
Food, prohibited, from unapproved or unknown source, home canned or home prepared. Animal slaughtered, butchered or dressed (eviscerated, skinned) in establishment. Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing. ROP food prepared on premises transported to another site.
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.
Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS) at required temperatures.
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.
The Bronx
Seis Vecinos Restaurant (640 Prospect Ave.)
Violation Points: 102
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
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.
Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment
Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.
Food worker/food vendor does not use utensil or other barrier to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment.
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
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.
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
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.
Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.