Lancaster County restaurants underwent inspections on Jan. 2, 2025, with most passing but some violations noted, including improper food handling, grease buildup, and sanitation issues, highlighting ongoing food safety concerns.
The Wood County Board of Health has revoked the food service license of Lupita Mexican Taqueria in Bowling Green due to repeated critical violations, including improper food temperature control and inadequate sanitation practices. Despite multiple inspections and opportunities for compliance, the restaurant failed to address these issues, leading to the rare decision to rescind the license. The earliest the restaurant can apply for a new license is March 2025.
Absolute Bagels, a beloved bagel shop on New York's Upper West Side, has unexpectedly closed, leaving locals shocked and saddened. The closure is speculated to be linked to health violations, including evidence of rats and roaches, as reported by the Department of Health. The shop, known for its high-quality bagels and Thai iced tea, was a staple in the community since 1992, founded by Thai immigrant Sam Thongkrieng. Despite the sudden closure, the shop's legacy as a cherished part of New York's food history remains.
The Pittsburgh Popcorn Company's processing facility in South Side Slopes received 13 health code violations from the Allegheny County Health Department, including high risks for foodborne illness due to rodent activity and poor hygiene practices. The violations, reported on December 4, highlight issues such as food products gnawed by rodents, old food residue, grease build-up, and rodent droppings, raising significant concerns ahead of the holiday shopping season.
A Brooklyn restaurant, Guisa’o, is at the center of an illegal food vending operation involving migrant workers who sell meals prepared in its unsanitary kitchen on New York City streets. The operation, which involves up to 50 migrants cooking in a violation-riddled kitchen, has raised health and safety concerns. Local businesses are affected by the unregulated competition, and despite increased enforcement against illegal vendors, the issue persists. The restaurant has a history of health violations and is linked to a shell corporation, complicating accountability.
A barista named Corey Kiser exposed alleged health code violations at the trendy Manhattan restaurant Fellini Cucina via TikTok, claiming food was prepped on garbage cans and freezers were improperly maintained. His video went viral, leading to his dismissal from the restaurant's sister café, Fellini Coffee. The New York City Department of Health is investigating the restaurant following multiple complaints. Corey claims many staff members have quit due to poor conditions, and his ex-manager is attempting to retract the firing, possibly fearing legal action.
The iconic Famous 4th Street Delicatessen in Philadelphia was temporarily shut down by the Department of Health due to health code violations, including mouse droppings and lack of food safety certification. The new owner, Al Gamble, attributed the issues to misunderstandings and has implemented a comprehensive action plan to address them. The deli reopened after two days, but some customers remain skeptical about its future reputation.
A woman has filed a $1.75 million lawsuit against a Northeast Portland nail salon, alleging that poor hygiene practices during an acrylic manicure led to her contracting genital herpes. The lawsuit claims the nail technician did not wear gloves, used a drill without proper hygiene, and stored the drill bit in an Altoids container. The woman tested positive for herpetic whitlow, and the suit notes previous health violations at the salon.
Java's Cafe in downtown Rochester, NY, was cited with multiple health violations, including critical ones related to food sourcing and refrigeration during a recent inspection. The cafe was also cited for tobacco use, inaccessible handwashing facilities, dirty ventilation hoods, and the presence of insects or rodents on the premises. The report comes after another cafe in the area, SPoT Coffee, was cited with 14 health violations, including one critical, and has since reopened.
Java's Cafe on Gibbs Street in Rochester, N.Y., has been cited for numerous health violations, including evidence of insects and rodents on the premises, tobacco use in food preparation areas, and unsanitary bathrooms lacking proper hygiene supplies. The café is currently closed for renovation following the inspection report.
Azteca Mexican Restaurant and Margarita Bar in Mentor, Ohio, will be closed until July 10 due to multiple health violations, including unclean food-contact surfaces, improper food storage, and incorrect sanitizing solution concentration. The owners attribute the violations to the previous general manager's poor judgment. During the two-week closure, the owners plan to address and control these issues, hire an experienced general manager, and retrain the staff. The restaurant will reopen on July 11.
Los Amigos Taqueria in Brighton, Massachusetts, has been shut down for the second time by health inspectors due to health violations, including cold and hot holding violations and improper sanitization practices. Last month, the restaurant was linked to at least four dozen cases of salmonella poisoning. The attorney representing affected customers believes that the source of the outbreak may be an infected employee rather than contaminated food. Another location of Los Amigos in West Roxbury was also ordered to close due to health violations, but no salmonella cases have been linked to that location.
Several restaurants and food vendors in Riverside County were ordered to close due to health violations such as cockroach and vermin infestations, improper wastewater disposal, and insufficient hot water. The list is published weekly with updates on closures and reopening.