March 2, 2007
Health Department Rat Hunt Turns Witch Hunt?
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Restaurant Inspection division is on a tear. The DOH shut down three Pizza Hut restaurants owned by the franschisee who owns the rat-infested KFC-Taco Bell in Greenwich Village, the restaurant that launched a thousand shocked giggles and a million more eeewww's. And maybe there were a couple, "Oh, the rats look cute. Behind the glass." Franchisee ADF has eight restaurants in NYC that were allowed to remain open; the company claims it is reviewing its maintaintence procedures.
After introducing a number of new inspection procedures, many people are probably noticing more "Closed" notices. A reader writes:
Just walked on Bleecker btwn 6th and 7th past John's Pizza and Risotteria and they are BOTH CLOSED by the DOH. They've also posted signs referring to a "witch hunt" on the DOH's part, covering for "sins of the past..." and things of that nature.Ouch. A lot of restaurants are being closed. Vegas Diner and Bubby's in Dumbo were closed, and their owners are crying foul. Bubby's owner Ron Silver told the Post, "They gave us violations for things they passed us for in the past. A lot of them were bogus. They cited us for rat droppings, which is absolutely untrue," while the Vegas's Ted Vlamis said, "We have no rats, no mice, no nothing. They've overreacted. Now, they're going by the book." Au Bon Pain, which had its 40th Street and 3rd Avenue location closed this week, says that they suspect construction drove rats to their restaurant. Hmm, who will restaurants sue first, the Health Department or neighboring construction sites?
Have you noticed any restaurant closings related to a recent DOH visit? You can search restaurant inspections online here. amNY had some rat and restaurant stats. And because it's crazy, here's the video of the rats at KFC-Taco Bell.
Cartoon by Mikhaela Blake Reid, via Flickr
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The Au Bon Pain (40th and 3rd ave) in question has had rodent issues for years. I remember walking past it after leaving work late every night circa 1998 and without fail there was always a rat party going on inside.
NYP just reported on their blog that Risotteria is closed by DOH and it's part of a witch hunt...
The big deli on the southeast corner of 14th St and Eighth Ave in the West Village was shut down—last night, I believe.
Does anyone know if the restaurants being closed are those that were inspected by the inspector who was just suspended?
My uni's cafeteria was inspected by cafeteria contractor's corporate guys and supposedly (according to others) there was also a NYC govt inspector there too. I hope they find the mouse sized roaches in the basement kitchen.
Now I wonder if the inspectors who willingly looked the other way for such violations as mice droppings and other vermin will be penalized.
Risotteria had a really bad roach infestation when I went there last year.
Nothing happened when I sent an email complaint to the NYC Health Department.
I'm glad they closed it.