Health Department Shuts Down Popular Pittsburgh Restaurant

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Allegheny County Health Department has ordered the closure of Tan Lac Vien on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill for 17 health code violations that were discovered during a Nov. 7 inspection.

The inspector noted an imminent hazard at the popular eatery: Fluid from an unknown source was seeping through the basement walls and onto the food preparation area floors.

Rodent droppings - too many to count - were found in the dining room electrical panel cabinet, a fryer interior, behind and underneath pots on the floor, in the first floor furnace room, in a second-floor storage area, in a restroom and along a storage shelf against the basement rear wall.

An entire case of daikon radishes had to be discarded after the inspector observed rodent droppings on virtually all of the individual vegetables.

Live roaches were present throughout the basement, including inside a drinking glass on a food contact surface.

The food contact surfaces of corrugated cutters and three knives in the basement hanging were soiled with dried food residue.

When asked about lack of soap at the handwashing sink in the kitchen, the operator stated employees wash their hands only in the restroom.

A "closed" placard is posted at an establishment when an imminent health hazard is identified at a restaurant or kitchen if it has been operating without proper permits. It is unlawful to operate a food facility with a "closed" placard.

See the entire inspection report here.