Pershing Square Cafe Shut Down By Health Department

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A popular cafe across the street from Grand Central Terminal was shut down this week by the city Health Department after a disastrous inspection, according to public records.

Pershing Square Cafe, located on East 42nd Street and Park Avenue, was ordered closed Monday after health inspectors found live roaches in the restaurant, city records show. The eatery, known for its breakfast offerings, also earned "critical" violations for food areas "contaminated by sewage or liquid waste," filth flies present in the eatery, and improperly washed food contact surfaces.

A message on Pershing Square's website reads "we are currently closed for renovations and will re-open next week."

The restaurant racked up a total of 83 violation points during Monday's inspection, city records show. Restaurants are graded on a violation point system that determines their letter grades — scores between zero and 13 constitute an A, scores between 14 and 27 constitute a B, and scores above 28 earn eateries a C and close monitoring from the city's health department.

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