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 are the eateries that the Department of Health has closed since Oct. 28.
The Bronx
Arthur Avenue Caters (611 Crescent Ave.)
Violation Score: 61
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.
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.
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.
Queens
Atomic Wings (159-23 Hillside Ave.)
Violation Score: 43
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.
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
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 house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
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.
Brooklyn
Benison Kohen (564 East New York Ave.)
Violation Score: 40
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.
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
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.
Coffee Near Me (315 93rd St.)
Violation points: 38
Toilet facility not provided for employees or for patrons when required. Shared patron-employee toilet accessed through kitchen, food prep or storage area or utensil washing area.
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
Fulton Burger Express (177 Fifth Ave.)
Violation points: 78
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
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.
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 house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
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.
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.
Papa Carl Bakery & Restaurant (3401 Church Ave.)
Violation Points: 79
Juice packaged on premises with no or incomplete label, no warning statement
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
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, 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.
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.
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
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 house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
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.
Pure Bowl & Go (149 Wilson Ave.)
Violation Points: 102
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
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.
Food worker/food vendor does not wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet, or after coughing, sneezing, smoking, eating, preparing raw foods or otherwise contaminating hands or does not change gloves when required; Worker fails to refrain from smoking or being fully clothed in clean outer garments.
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.
No approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
Ranna Ghar Deli & Sweets (2766 Pitkin Ave.)
Violation Points: 71
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
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.
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, 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.
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 house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
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 mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.