Inwood Doughnut Shop Shut Down For Mice, Roaches: City

INWOOD, NY — A popular Inwood doughnut shop was shut down by the Department of Health this week for a variety of violations, including evidence of mice, flies, roaches, and plumbing that was not properly installed.

Twin Donut, at 5099 Broadway (near West 218th Street), was one of the three restaurants in New York City forced to cease operations by the city since Jan. 28, 2022.

Here are the infractions that earned the Inwood doughnut shop 67 violation points and immediate closure.

1. "Evidence of mice or live mice present in the facility's food and/or non-food areas.
2. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in the facility's food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blowflies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.
3. Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
4. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
5. Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
6. Live roaches present in the facility's food and/or non-food areas.
7. Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.
8. Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
9. Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
10. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred."

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.

Twin Donut is not permanently shut down as it can reopen once it fixes the above issues.

It is not the first time that Twin Donut shut down unexpectedly. In 2014 the Inwood joint posted a sign on its door, reading: "To all our customers, Twin Donut apologizes for the mismanagement of this store, we will reopen this location under corporate control and a new staff. We kicked the SKUNK out. We look forward to serving you."

Twin Donut reopened a short time later, but it was never completely clear if there was a literal skunk living in the store or it referred to the old manager of the location.

Patch could not find a website or any social media for the Inwood doughnut shop. The business did not return a call from Patch.