A local bar's operational status has come into jeopardy as the Allegheny County Health Department mandated its closure over significant health code infractions. Proof Bar & Grill, situated in Pittsburgh's Brookline neighborhood on Brookline Boulevard, has been cast into the spotlight not for its menu but for its failure to adhere to food safety standards. The health department's report illuminated a host of infractions, including the lack of a valid food permit and various food safety concerns.
During an inspection conducted on Friday, a solitary "high-risk" violation was recorded, citing foods such as shrimp, cheese, bacon, egg rolls, and raw beef stored at temperatures between 47 and 52 degrees. To put this into perspective, safety regulations stipulate that such items should be kept at 41 degrees or lower. The implications of these findings are not to be taken lightly as such conditions are conducive to the growth of pathogens leading to foodborne illnesses. The inspection report, which was made available in the Post-Gazette, noted eight medium-risk and seven low-risk violations in addition to the single high-risk finding.
Also highlighted in the documentation were a slew of medium-risk infractions that paint a concerning picture for patrons—an ice machine hosting a "black mold-like substance," prepared foods lacking necessary date markings, and burgers being prepared sans gloves or proper utensils. This information is corroborated by reports from Audacy's KDKA Radio, which detailed issues like the absence of a working probe thermometer and the unregulated use of a hand-washing sink. In a scene best left to backroom storage rather than a place of food preparation, inspectors encountered wall and ceiling damage, as well as clutter and old grease buckets in the basement.
Further concerns arose from the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, which found additional violations during a check. Reporting by WPXI indicates these included four fire code infractions and a potpourri of permit and licensing discrepancies. The economy of governance is demonstrated here as the Bureau also noted tap cleaning violations and the facilitation of sales without a health permit. What unfolds is an intricate tapestry of noncompliance spanning several dimensions of the establishment's operations.
The next steps recommended by the health department, include securing a valid permit, ensuring food temperatures meet standards, improvements in food handling protocols, and tackling the physical disrepair present within Proof Bar & Grill's premises. At present, representatives of Proof Bar & Grill have not been available for comment on the matter. For those curiously watching, a reinspection of the restaurant remains pending.
