Improper Food Storage, 'Old Dead Mouse' Found At Pittsburgh Restaurant: Health Department

PITTSBURGH, PA — A restaurant in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood had multiple health violations in a recent inspection, including a practice that health officials had already told them to stop in previous years.

The Allegheny County Health Department inspected Station, at 4744 Liberty Avenue, on Aug. 12. The inspector gave the restaurant several high-priority changes to make, and issued a consumer alert for the restaurant.

Among the violations were a lack of discard dates on the food, an "old dead mouse" on a sticky trap, and improper food storage.

There was evidence the restaurant was fermenting, dehydrating, and vacuum packing food without a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan, the inspector said.

"Facility has been cited for multiple years and was officially ordered to cease this practice on 2/20/20," the report says. "In addition, there (is) no evidence that any HACCP plan is being followed evident by temperature violations that were observed during inspection."

The vacuum machine at Station had "sticky residue" inside, and a yellow cutting board also had "black residue all over it," the report said.

Also, some cheeses, raw meats, and cooked vegetables were being stored at 51 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 degrees higher than the maximum temperature for storage.

The owner told the inspector he had appealed an unpaid $2,600 fine levied against the restaurant in July 2021.

When the consumer alert is removed, the health department will update their website.

Station describes itself as "a modern American restaurant located in Pittsburgh's Little Italy," and offers salads, pastas, sandwiches, main courses, and dessert.