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 June 5.
Manhattan
Fine Food Cuisine (227 E. 116 St.)
Violation Points: 121
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.
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 preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
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.
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.
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.
New Golden Star Restaurant (4247 Broadway)
Violation Points: 59
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.
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
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.
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
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.
Pho Bang (157 Mott St.)
Violation Points: 66
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
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.
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.
Wingstop (935 8th Ave.)
Violation Points: 70
Sewage disposal system is not provided, improper, inadequate or unapproved.
Food preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.
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.
Brooklyn
Totolin Rotisserie Chicken & Kafe (410 46th St.)
Violation Points: 149
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of TCS foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.
No approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.
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.
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.
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment.
After cooking or removal from hot holding, TCS food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal temperature is reduced from 140 °F to 70 °F or less within 2 hours, and from 70 °F to 41 °F or less within 4 additional hours.
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.
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
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.
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing 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.
Queens
Club Amadeus (79-51 Albion Ave.)
Violation Points: 68
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.
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.
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
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.
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.
Ha Bo Kitchen (102-11 Springfield Blvd.)
Violation Points: 74
Thawing procedure improper.
Tobacco or electronic cigarette use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area.
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
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.
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.
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
Cheong Hei Restaurant (8148 Baxter Ave.)
Violation Points: 61
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
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.
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
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.
Chef's Mahal (37-19 73rd St.)
Violation Points: 90
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.
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS) at required temperatures
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.
Thawing procedure improper.
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.