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NYC SHUTS DOWN Dunkin' Donuts After Rat Video Goes Viral
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 3, 2014
Modified Apr 3, 2014
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By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 3, 2014
Modified Apr 3, 2014
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Never doubt that a small but vocal contingent of Internet scolds can put a group of underpaid retail employees out of work: The Manhattan Dunkin' Donuts made famous by YouTube user "Pjayone" has been shut down by order of the NYC Health Department. "We have some issues, I'm sure you know about it," a man who answered the phone at the 8th Avenue and West 37th Street location told us this morning.
Issues indeed. [UPDATE: A tipster sent us these photos of the establishment being renovated, ostensibly to make it rat-proof (lol).]
The Health Department has this to say:
The Health Department takes all allegations of unsanitary conditions seriously. Dunkin’ Donuts was closed by the Health Department yesterday because of a public health hazard that could not be corrected at the time of the inspection. In this case, the restaurant had a severe pest infestation that will require professional pest control services. They were also cited for other critical violations, including inadequate hand washing facilities and food not being protected from contamination. New Yorkers are urged to call 311 to report unsanitary conditions.
New Yorkers are also urged to email Gothamist to report videos and photos of unsanitary conditions.
The worst part about all of this is that Cocoa Confetti Donut fans are now forced to walk approximately... one fucking block to the other Dunkin' Donuts on 8th Avenue and 36th Street. Maybe think about this poor woman next time you make one of your "viral" videos, Internet:
Dunkin' Rats from Gothamist on Vimeo.
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doh
dunkin' donuts
health department
rat
rats
shame shame shame
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John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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