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Health Department Rat Hunt Turns Witch Hunt?
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 2, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 2, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Restaurant Inspection division is on a tear. The DOH shut down three Pizza Hut restaurants owned by the franschisee who owns the rat-infested KFC-Taco Bell in Greenwich Village, the restaurant that launched a thousand shocked giggles and a million more eeewww's. And maybe there were a couple, "Oh, the rats look cute. Behind the glass." Franchisee ADF has eight restaurants in NYC that were allowed to remain open; the company claims it is reviewing its maintaintence procedures.
After introducing a number of new inspection procedures, many people are probably noticing more "Closed" notices. A reader writes:
Just walked on Bleecker btwn 6th and 7th past John's Pizza and Risotteria and they are BOTH CLOSED by the DOH. They've also posted signs referring to a "witch hunt" on the DOH's part, covering for "sins of the past..." and things of that nature.
Ouch. A lot of restaurants are being closed. Vegas Diner and Bubby's in Dumbo were closed, and their owners are crying foul. Bubby's owner Ron Silver told the Post, "They gave us violations for things they passed us for in the past. A lot of them were bogus. They cited us for rat droppings, which is absolutely untrue," while the Vegas's Ted Vlamis said, "We have no rats, no mice, no nothing. They've overreacted. Now, they're going by the book." Au Bon Pain, which had its 40th Street and 3rd Avenue location closed this week, says that they suspect construction drove rats to their restaurant. Hmm, who will restaurants sue first, the Health Department or neighboring construction sites?
Have you noticed any restaurant closings related to a recent DOH visit? You can search restaurant inspections online here. amNY had some rat and restaurant stats. And because it's crazy, here's the video of the rats at KFC-Taco Bell.
Cartoon by Mikhaela Blake Reid, via Flickr
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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