NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed March 14 - 28

NEW YORK CITY — Vermin, dirty dishes and poor personal cleanliness — 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.

Here's all the eateries that the Department of Health closed down since March 14.

Manhattan

Lloyd's Carrot Cake (1533-55 Lexington Ave.)

Violation Points: 30

• 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.
• 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, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
• 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.

Justino's Pizzeria (879 9th Ave.)

Violation Points: 33

• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

Crab Du Jour (284 Malcolm X Blvd.)

Violation Points: 67

• Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
• Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
• Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
• Thawing procedure improper.
• 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 Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

Brooklyn

Tortilleria Guadalupe & Taqueria (5605 5th Ave.)

Violation Points: 65

• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
• Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
• Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
• Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
• Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

New Mei Mei Chinese Restaurant (3566 Nostrand Ave.)

Violation Points: 54

• Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
• Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
• Evidence of mice or live mice 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.
• 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.

Queens

Reyes Restaurant (4754 46th Street)

Violation Points: 48

• 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 mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• 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.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
• Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
• Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

Papa Chicken (14709 45th Ave.)

Violation Points: 69

• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
• No handwashing facility in or adjacent to the restroom or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Handwashing 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.
• Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
• 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.
• Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
• Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
• Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.

Lety Bakery (7707 3rd Ave.)

Violation Points: 44

Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.

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.