Popular Detroit Coney Island Reopens After Rat Infestation

DETROIT — A Detroit Coney Island restaurant is back in business after it shut down in January due to a rat infestation, the Detroit Health Department announced Tuesday.

Lafayette Coney Island in Downtown Detroit, located on Lafayette Boulevard just west of Campus Martius, reopened Tuesday after a deep cleaning and significant upgrades to ensure cleanliness and health safety, according to health officials.

Staff at the restaurant completed food safety and sanitation training, implemented daily and weekly cleaning protocols, according to health officials.

The diner also repaired parts of the building, including sealing gaps and fixing structural issues, to prevent pests from entering the restaurant, according to health officials.

Other building improvements include new lighting, modernized equipment and new floors. Staff were introduced to new food storage and waste management protocols. They will also follow new daily and weekly cleaning protocols to keep all areas of the restaurant clean and sanitized to meet health standards.

Health officials said the updates and repairs met all necessary requirements to reopen.

"Lafayette Coney Island took the responsible step of voluntarily closing after our Environmental Health Inspectors identified health concerns, and due to their efforts, the restaurant has reopened," Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo said. "We will continue working closely with Lafayette Coney Island and all restaurants to address any issues and maintain a safe dining environment. Ensuring the safety of our residents is a top priority."

When the restaurant shut down in January, it was the second time in a little more than two years it was forced to shut down due to a problem with rats. At that time, health inspectors found multiple holes in the building that allowed the rats to get inside. That closure lasted roughly a month.