Park Slope's Coco Roco Restaurant Shuttered By Health Inspectors

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — A longstanding Peruvian restaurant on 5th Avenue was shut down this week after health inspectors found more than double the number of violations that require they close the business.

Coco Roco, found at 392 5th Avenue, was visited by inspectors from the city's health department on Monday and given 75 violation points, records show. Any score more than 28 violation points requires the business be closed.

The inspection report shows that there were evidence of mice and "filth flies" in the restaurant, which was not vermin proof. It also found that hot food items were not held at or above 140 degrees, that shellfish was not from an approved source and that it was improperly tagged or labeled.

The "food contact surface" was also not properly washed after each use, including when contamination may have occurred, and pesticides were not properly used and stored.

Coco Roco has been serving Peruvian cuisine in Park Slope since it opened in 1998, according to the restaurants website. Its specialities include Ceviche, grilled meats, rotisserie chicken and Pisco sours.

The restaurant did not answer a call for comment Thursday.

The Peruvian eatery is the second 5th Avenue business to have a problem with inspectors recently.

Joe's Pizza of Park Slope just down the road at 349 Fifth Ave. was shut down in December by Department of Health and Mental Hygiene officials who found improperly stored food not protected from contamination, records show.

The pizza joint earned 38 violation points for insufficient refrigeration, poor plumbing and improperly constructed counters, health inspectors said.

That restaurant later reopened after two more inspections since the initial closing. It currently has an A rating online, records show.

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