A Downtown Pittsburgh restaurant has felt the sting of the health inspector's crackdown for the second instance this year. Caravan, a Halal eatery located on Smithfield Street, was ordered to close its doors after the Allegheny County Health Department discovered a range of violations that raised concerns about food safety, as reported by CBS News Pittsburgh.
The health violations, which prompted the closure, were not insignificant. Among them were rodent infestation issues—a live mouse in a basement and plentiful evidence of mouse droppings near stairwells and the back door of the ware washing room. Additionally, an instance of improper glove use by an employee who rinsed their gloves instead of changing them—this, after using a cell phone—was noted. Furthermore, Caravan was also caught operating sans a valid health permit, which compounded their compliance woes.
On the food storage front, inspectors found cherry tomatoes and other perishables improperly stored at temperatures well above the safe threshold of 41 degrees. In the bustling climate of a downtown restaurant, maintaining cold food at the required temperatures is a linchpin in preventing foodborne illness, and violations of this nature are treated seriously by health officials.
Some of the restaurant's issues extended beyond just the pressing health risks. For example, a lack of requisite food preparation sink, an essential for establishments with a sizeable amount of produce, and the presence of decomposing carrots in the basement were additional flags raised during the inspection, according to KDKA Radio.
Caravan's offerings, which include kebabs, gyros, chicken, and bread among other dishes, draw on traditional Halal culinary styles. As of July 18, the restaurant's closure remains an active directive on the county's health department website.
