Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Food

DOH Closes John's Of Bleecker Street Due To "Severe Vermin Infestation"


By

Garth Johnston

Published Dec 12, 2012

Modified Dec 12, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Mmm, vermin

 

NewYorkDailyPhoto's flickr


By

Garth Johnston

Published Dec 12, 2012

Modified Dec 12, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Earlier this year Brooks of Sheffield did one of their regular "Who Goes There?" columns on the ancient Bleecker Street pizzeria John's of Bleecker Street. Yesterday the DOH answered the question: vermin.

As A Fork In The Road notes, yesterday the DOH shuttered the 83-year-old coal-oven pizzeria for health violations. And though the Department has yet to put the reasons for the closing on their website (the last score there is an "ungraded" 25, or a B, that was found on November 25) a source tells us that, with a score of 45 points, "John’s Pizzeria was closed due to a severe vermin infestation."

Still, if you just ate there we wouldn't be too concerned about your health. As AFITR notes, as long as you just had pizza you are probably fine since John's "pizzas are cooked at 900 degrees and delivered to the table hot, and no bacteria or virus can survive that." And anyway, a little charred rat feces is good for the heart!

Tagged

doh

health department

john's of bleecker street

johns of bleecker

letter grades

pizza

vermin


Garth Johnston

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE food

10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.

By

Robert Sietsema

Published Sep 12, 2026


Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.

By

Sonia Rao

Food

Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.

By

Sonia Rao


5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's

By

Hannah Frishberg

Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian

By

Robert Sietsema

Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?

By

Caroline Shin


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .