UES Diner Plans To Reopen After Failing Health Inspection

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A longtime First Avenue diner is hoping to reopen on Friday night after it was shut down earlier this week for racking up 91 violation points during a Health Department inspection, a worker told Patch.

Tramway Diner, located on First Avenue near East 59th Street, was ordered closed after inspectors reported live roaches, improper food-temperature controls, and multiple food-safety hazards, records show.

Georgie, a waiter at Tramway who declined to give his last name, told Patch that the restaurant was having some remaining issues fixed on Friday and was hoping to reopen in time for dinner after officials reinspect the restaurant, if all goes well.

According to the city, inspectors found contaminated or cross-contaminated food, food-contact surfaces that weren’t properly washed or sanitized, and cold foods stored above required temperatures. The inspection also noted drainage and sewage issues, improper waste disposal, and conditions conducive to rodents or insects.

Food, supplies, and equipment were also found inadequately protected from contamination, officials said.

The diner will need to correct the violations before it can reopen.

Here's the full list of violations from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:

• Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Tramway Diner is located at at 1079 First Ave.

Know of a business opening or closing in Manhattan? Email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.