NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed Aug. 20 - 26

NEW YORK — Evidence of vermin, contaminated food storage areas and improper use of utensils are just a few of the reasons restaurants across the city have dirty little secrets they'd rather not share. But New York City's Health Department is uncovering what happens behind the scenes.

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 live roaches in a food area, pose a bigger issue: immediate closure.

Here's all the eateries that the Department of Health closed down since Aug. 20:

MANHATTAN

TACO TAVERN

480 AMSTERDAM AVENUE

Violation Points: 78

• Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
• 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.
• 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.
• Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
• 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.
• Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
• 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.
• 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.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

GRAND SICHUAN

229 9 AVENUE

Violation Points: 74

• 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.
• 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.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
• Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
• Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
• Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
• Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• 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.
• Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

NEW KIM TONG

1722 AMSTERDAM AVENUE

Violation Points: 64

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
• 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.
• Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
• Thawing procedure improper.
• Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.

MIGHTY BOWL

1109 LEXINGTON AVENUE

Violation Points: 68

• 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.
• Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
• Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
• Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• 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.
• 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.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

PROOF COFFEE ROASTER

335 EAST 27 STREET

Violation Points: 38

• Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
• Written Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) approved by the Department for refillable, reusable containers not available at the time of inspection. Container construction improper

BROOKLYN

Secret Paradise Grill

1488 FLATBUSH AVENUE

Violation Points: 96

• Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
• Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
• 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.
• Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
• TCS food removed from cold holding or prepared from or combined with ingredients at room temperature not cooled by an approved method to 41 °F or below within 4 hours.
• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
• Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
• 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.
• Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
• 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.
• Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
• Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
• 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.

ROYAL RESTAURANT & GRILL

1075A LIBERTY AVENUE

Violation Points: 36

• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• 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.
• Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment
• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
• Food, prohibited, from unapproved or unknown source, home canned or home prepared. Animal slaughtered, butchered or dressed (eviscerated, skinned) in establishment. Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing. ROP food prepared on premises transported to another site.
• Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
• Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.

THE SPOT CARIBBEAN CUISINE

1203 SUTTER AVENUE

Violation Points: 52

• 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.
• Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
• Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
• Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
• Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment
• Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

JING JIANG SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

4619 8 AVENUE

Violation Points: 71

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• 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.
• Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
• 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.
• Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
• Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment
• Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
• Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
• Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

TAJ KEBAB

416 DITMAS AVENUE

Violation Points: 63

• 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.
• 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.
• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
• 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.
• Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• 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.
• Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.