New York City health inspectors have temporarily shut down five restaurants across the five boroughs after finding rats, roaches, mice and other serious sanitary violations during routine checks. The surprise closures hit familiar neighborhood spots in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx and Manhattan, a not-so-appetizing reminder that even your go-to takeout joint can flunk a basic health inspection.
The closures, listed in the city's ABCEats inspection lookup and compiled by PIX11, include Arirang USA in Queens, where inspectors found evidence of rats. In Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, Degirmin was cited for evidence of mice and a manager who did not have a required food protection certificate. Staten Island spot Krave It Cafe was flagged for evidence of mice and failure to properly sanitize food-contact surfaces. In the Bronx, Hasan Halal Chinese was hit with violations for adulterated food and live roaches. Manhattan restaurant Eschel was cited for live roaches and filth flies.
What Inspectors Found
Across the board, inspectors most often logged active pest activity, including rats, mice and live roaches, paired with dirty or improperly sanitized food-contact surfaces. In some kitchens, inspectors also reported food that was adulterated or stored in ways that did not meet health code standards. Those issues are among the top reasons restaurants in the city are shut down on the spot.
Pest-related violations in particular have cropped up again and again this year in city enforcement actions. Coverage of June restaurant shutdowns shows that rodents and insects have become a recurring theme in inspection reports, according to Eater. Not exactly the ambiance anyone is hoping for with their lunch special.
How Enforcement Works
The Health Department carries out unannounced inspections at least once a year. Under agency rules, it can order a restaurant to close immediately if inspectors find what is considered an imminent public health hazard. The city uses a letter grading system that assigns point values to violations. Enough serious or repeat violations can trigger close monitoring, follow up visits and, when needed, temporary shutdowns until the problems are fixed, according to NYC Health Department rules.
Restaurant owners are allowed to challenge violations and closure orders at the Administrative Tribunal. Still, the doors usually stay shut until a business passes a follow up inspection that shows the violations have been corrected and the kitchen is back in compliance.
How Diners Should Respond
If something seems off at your favorite spot, start by checking the letter grade posted near the entrance. If there is a closure sign or you do not see a current grade card, it may be safer to pick another place until follow up inspections clear the business to reopen.
For a deeper look at a restaurant’s record, you can search city inspection reports through ABCEats. When in doubt, locals have no shortage of neighborhood options, and a quick grade check can go a long way toward keeping your dinner free of uninvited critters.
