NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed October 18-25

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 Oct. 18:

Brooklyn

Mad For Chicken (617 Grand Street)

Violation Points: 66

• Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
• 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.
• Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
• 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.
• Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

Manhattan

Five Flies Coffee (554 West 158 Street)

Violation Points: 77

• 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.
• 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.
• Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
• Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
• 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.
• Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.

Queens

The Hampton Ice Cream & Juice Bar (3706 Broadway)

Violation Points: 50

• 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 Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
• Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
• Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
• No approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.