NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed Feb 11-18

NEW YORK — Filth flies, vermin and unwashed hands — 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.

At least several restaurants citywide meet that fate every week. During the last seven days that list includes a Dunkin' in Manhattan and a pizzeria in Queens.

Here's all the eateries that the Department of Health closed down since Feb. 11, 2022:

Manhattan

Dunkin' (110 W 145th Street): 43 violation points

1. Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2. Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
3. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.
4. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.

iPizzaNY (707 9th Avenue): 64 violation points

1. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
2. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
3. Single service item reused, improperly stored, dispensed; not used when required.
4. Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
5. Accurate thermometer not provided in refrigerated or hot holding equipment.
6. Hot food item not held at or above 140º F.
7. Food allergy information poster not conspicuously posted where food is being prepared or processed by food workers.
8. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
9. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

Luigi's Gourmet Pizza (936 8th Avenue): 44 violation points

1. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
2. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
3. Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
4. Single service item reused, improperly stored, dispensed; not used when required.
5. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
6. Covered garbage receptacle not provided or inadequate, except that garbage receptacle may be uncovered during active use. Garbage storage area not properly constructed or maintained; grinder or compactor dirty.

Brooklyn

A Fei (553 Throop Avenue): 39 violation points

1. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
2. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
3. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.

Queens

Aldo's Ozone Park (137-01 Cross Bay Boulevard): 46 violation points

1. Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.
2. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
3. Thawing procedures improper.
4. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.