It takes a lot to raise the eyebrows of a New Yorker. However, in 2007, I wrote Rats R Us about one of the most outrageous displays of rats gone wild in New York City and how it caught the attention of residents and even made national news. New Yorkers stood outside a Taco Bell/KFC in Greenwich Village and watched rats cavorting on the floors and tables while local news media sent reporters to the location and filmed the incident – you can see the video here. I featured a photo of the closure notice by the Department of Health which had a myriad of humorous comments scrawled over it by passersby. It was a classic New York response – a blend of sarcasm with a super tolerant attitude of the slings and arrows of the gritty side to this city.
On December 11, to the surprise and chagrin of many, John’s Pizzeria was closed by the Department of Health. Here is the report from the DOH website:

Violation points: 45
Sanitary Violations

1) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

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

3) 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.

4) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.

5) Pesticide use not in accordance with label or applicable laws. Prohibited chemical used/stored. Open bait station used.

I was not particularly shocked. Irrespective of the quality of their pizza, John’s is far from the paradigm of cleanliness. The place is quite run down, and attention to detail never appeared to be the order of the day. It’s a money machine that swallows patrons daily who wait in long lines to get in. It is nationally known and on the “must do” list of many visitors to the city who care nothing about how the place looks or manages its food and premises. With such a deluge of patrons, who has time or need to worry about vermin, flies, or proper food handling? I am sure it will reopen soon and, undaunted, New Yorkers will line up again, Flies or No Flies 🙂

Another recently closed pizzeria: Ray’s (Not Enough Dough)