Patrons of Cardello Pizza in Moon Township were left with a bad taste in their mouths, but not from the food. In a stomach-churning revelation, the local pizza joint has been ordered to close its doors after health inspectors discovered an "active sewage backup" in its basement.
The Allegheny County Health Department paid a visit to the restaurant on Moon Clinton Road and, within the bowels of the establishment, found a situation that one could say was far from palatable. As WPXI reported, wastewater was bubbling up at three separate floor drains in the basement, with the backup occurring near clean dishes, food storage areas, and the backdoor—hardly the additional topping one would request. The operator of Cardello Pizza told inspectors that this unsavory issue began on Sunday.
But the raw deal didn't end with the sewage. Inspectors cited the establishment for various other health code violations, ranging from grease buildup to the improper storage of prepared produce. As if to add insult to injury, Cardello's had no effective date-marking system for their ingredients, questioning how fresh that slice was. This unfortunate series of violations culminated in the health department's decision to close the pizza place until further notice.
The health department's stance is clear: safety first, pizza second. "The health department says it orders a restaurant to close when an imminent health hazard is found," CBS News Pittsburgh reported. A restaurant's responsibility to its customers goes beyond just serving food—it includes ensuring that the dining experience is free from dangers, such as an unexpected sewage issue.
