Harlem Pizza Shop Closed By City Health Inspectors

HARLEM, NY — A popular pizza place in Harlem was shut down by the New York City Department of Health this week because of sanitary violations, according to city health inspection records.

Uptown Pizza, at 272 W. 135th St., near Frederick Douglass Boulevard, was visited by city Health Department inspectors earlier this week and issued a violation and an order to immediately close its doors.

Officials gave the store 28 violation points during the regular inspection. Inspection scores at or above 28 earn eateries a C grade and extra-close monitoring from the city’s health department – which could decide to shut them down.

Inspectors, upon their visit to the pizza shop, discovered the absence of a hand washing facility either in or near the toilet room, or within a 25-foot radius of any food preparation, food service, or ware washing area.

Inspectors also noted the absence of hot and cold running water, insufficient water pressure, and the lack of soap or acceptable hand-drying devices, records show.

The pizzeria did not answer its phone on Friday afternoon to confirm the duration of the closure.

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).