The Allegheny County Health Department has shut down the Subway at 950 Ridge Ave. in Allegheny West after a Thursday inspection uncovered failed refrigeration and a stack of health-code violations. Inspectors found prepared foods sitting at unsafe temperatures, including tuna salad measured at 53°F more than four hours after it was made, and posted a closure placard at the restaurant.
As reported by WPXI, the visit turned up 10 violations in total, with two labeled high-risk. Inspectors also noted a buildup of a "black mold-like substance" at a hand sink and the lack of an internal thermometer inside the walk-in cooler. The station pointed viewers to the county's full inspection document for anyone wanting to read every detail.
According to the Allegheny County Health Department, inspectors measured the walk-in cooler's ambient temperature at about 45–48°F, with foods inside ranging from roughly 44°F to 53°F. The report lists sliced salami and ham at about 48°F, tuna in the sandwich rail at roughly 50°F, and roast chicken, cut tomatoes and sliced cheese between 44°F and 46°F. It notes that "All TCS foods were discarded during the inspection" and closes with an unambiguous order: "FACILITY IS ORDERED CLOSED. DO NOT REMOVE OR CONCEAL PLACARD."
Why Those Readings Matter
The FDA and the Food Code require cold foods to be held at 41°F or below and advise that foods cooled from ambient temperature should reach 41°F within four hours. Inspectors found those limits were not met, which puts ready-to-eat items squarely in the temperature "danger zone" where bacteria can grow and increase the risk of foodborne illness, according to the FDA.
What The Store Must Fix Before Reopening
The county report lays out a to-do list before the restaurant can welcome customers again. The operator must provide adequate refrigeration that holds foods at 41°F or lower, install an internal thermometer and a grease interceptor, log equipment temperatures daily, and ensure a certified food protection manager is on site. The inspection instructs the operator to contact the ACHD Food Safety Program at [email protected] to request placard reinstatement, per the Allegheny County Health Department.
County Enforcement In Context
Posting a closure placard is a standard move when county inspectors find an imminent health hazard, and Allegheny County has taken similar action in other cases where poor sanitation or pest activity posed a risk to the public. Local outlets have covered those shutdowns before, underscoring that breakdowns in basic refrigeration and cleanliness often prompt swift and visible enforcement.
