Downtown Brooklyn Subway Closed For Roaches, Health Violations

DOWNTOWN, BROOKLYN — A Subway location in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn was closed by health inspectors late last week, records show.

The sandwich chain spot, at 391 Jay Street, was given 45 violation points in an inspection on Thursday by the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Any score above 28 points requires that the department close the business.

Inspectors found that the restaurant was infested with live cockroaches, had sewage or liquid waste on its food preparation or storage area and that its facility was not vermin proof, records show. They also discovered that the food surface was not properly washed after each use and that non-food contact surfaces in the restaurant were improperly constructed or had unacceptable materials used to build them.

The Subway is one of at least 10 locations the "fresh maker" sandwich chain has in the Downtown Brooklyn area.

It is also not the only outpost to have a run in with health inspectors recently.

Another Subway in Queens near John F. Kennedy Airport was also closed down when inspectors visited it in November. That location, found at 114-14 Sutphin Blvd., was given 66 violation points.

Inspectors there found that it did not have a food protection certificate, had an unapproved sewage disposal system and had its food area contaminated with sewage or liquid waste, records show.

A representative for the company said a broken water heater led to the conditions that closed the restaurant. The water heater is being repaired and the restaurant has otherwise had good inspections up until this incident, the representative said.