NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed July 15 - July 22

Editor's Note: A restaurant address in this article was corrected on July 25.

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 grocery store in Forest Hills and a restaurant in the heart of Downtown Flushing.

Here's all the eateries that the Department of Health closed down since July 15, 2022:

MANHATTAN

561 Deli Grocery (561 2nd Ave): 103 violation points

1. Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
2. Live animal other than fish in tank or service animal present in facility’s food or non-food area.
3. Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
4. 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.
5. Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
6. Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
7. Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of TCS foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.
8. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
9. Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
10. Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry is worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.
11. Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
12. Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS) at required temperatures
13. 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.
14. 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.

La Cuchara (588 W 207th Street): 59 violation points

1. “Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted.
2. 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.
3. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
4. Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
5. Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of TCS foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.
6. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
7. Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
8. 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.
9. Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

BROOKLYN

Peppa's Jerk Chicken (689 Utica Ave): 83 violation points

1. Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
2. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
3. Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
4. Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
5. 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.
6. Garbage receptacle not pest or water resistant, with tight-fitting lids, and covered except while in active use. Garbage receptacle and cover not cleaned after emptying and prior to reuse. Garbage, refuse and other solid and liquid waste not collected, stored, removed and disposed of so as to prevent a nuisance.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Food, food preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.

Editor's Note: An original version of this article incorrectly identified which Peppa's Jerk Chicken was temporarily closed by the Health department. The article has been updated to reflect the address of the accurate location.

Yemeni House (7204 5th Ave): 10 violation points

1. 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.
2. Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
3. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
4. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
5. Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.

QUEENS

Boston Market (106-24 71st Ave): 71 violation points

1. Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
2. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
3. Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.
4. Sewage disposal system is not provided, improper, inadequate or unapproved.
5. Food, food preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.

Chakra Cafe (44-01 Queens Blvd): 51 violation points

1. Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
2. Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
3. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
4. Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
5. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
6. Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.
7. Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
8. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

Flanm cuisine & catering (215-07 Jamaica Ave): 93 violation points

1. Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
2. Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
3. 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.
4. Sewage disposal system is not provided, improper, inadequate or unapproved.
5. Toilet facility not maintained or provided with toilet paper, waste receptacle or self-closing door.
6. Toilet facility not maintained or provided with toilet paper, waste receptacle or self-closing door.
7. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
8. 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.
9. Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
10. Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
11. 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.
12. Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

Qingdao (40-46 Main St): 71 violation points

1. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
2. Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
3. 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.
4. Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry is worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.
8. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
9. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
10. Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

Riko (4523 Greenpoint Ave): 83 violation points

1. Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS) at required temperatures
2. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
3. 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.
4. Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
9. Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of TCS foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.