Critical Cleanliness Violations at Restaurants in Queens and Brooklyn

Background photo via Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Department of Health inspections from March 18 to March 19 found 15 businesses with critical violations in cleanliness and sanitation. The businesses below were ordered closed, but may reopen once violations have been corrected.

Learn more about the inspection process from nyc.gov and search the Department of Health inspection database for full details on any establishment that serves food.

Halal Boyz in Queens

18320 HORACE HARDING EXPY

Violations

Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.

Commons Cafe in Brooklyn

388 ATLANTIC AVE

Violations

Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility's food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in Manhattan

47 WEST 14 STREET

Violations

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Sewage disposal system improper or unapproved.
Food, food preparation area, food storage area, area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.

Qathra Cafe in Brooklyn

1112 CORTELYOU RD

Violations

Cold food item held above 41° F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 °F) except during necessary preparation.
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
Hot food item not held at or above 140° F.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

Papaye Diner in The Bronx

2300 GRAND CONCOURSE

Violations

Hot food item not held at or above 140° F.
Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

Queens Brewery in Queens

1539 COVERT ST

Violations

Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.
Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

Obaapa African & Caribbean Restaurant in The Bronx

2364 JEROME AVE

Violations

Hot food item not held at or above 140° F.
Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140° F to 70° F or less within 2 hours, and from 70° F to 41° F or less within 4 additional hours.
Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.

Lucky Thailand Kitchen in Queens

8605 JAMAICA AVENUE

Violations

Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Duties of an officer of the Department interfered with or obstructed.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

Express Snacks & More in Queens

9225 UNION HALL ST

Violations

Appropriately scaled metal stem-type thermometer or thermocouple not provided or used to evaluate temperatures of potentially hazardous foods during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.
Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
Cold food item held above 41° F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 °F) except during necessary preparation.
Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.
Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.

Empire Steak House in Manhattan

151 E 50TH ST

Violations

Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140° F to 70° F or less within 2 hours, and from 70° F to 41° F or less within 4 additional hours.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Coffee Express in Queens

4705 METROPOLITAN AVENUE

Violations

Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.
Toilet facility not provided for employees or for patrons when required.
No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment.
Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.

Masala Grill in Brooklyn

501B ATLANTIC AVE

Violations

Hot food item not held at or above 140° F.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

Jade Bakery in Brooklyn

6223 8TH AVE

Violations

Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Dynasty Taste Lam in The Bronx

539A E TREMONT AVE

Violations

Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Hot food item not held at or above 140° F.
Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.

Argo Tea in Manhattan

550 1 AVENUE

Violations

Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.