John's pizza NYC-health inspector closed

http://www.1010wins.com/pages/287633.php?contentType=4&contentId=362266

I don't understand- this restaurant has been in operation for 79 years, and they closed it down without warning because the sink was in the wrong spot? There's either something seriously missing from this news report, or the Department of Health has run amok on a restaurant-closing spree since their embarrasing bad press last week regarding rat infestations.

Pretty sad they had to shut it down during the dinner rush.. Personally, I don't know the whole story there, but I agree with Pigiron, NYC health department got a real bad slap in the face last week.. Too much too late.

quote:

Originally posted by Pigiron

I don't understand- this restaurant has been in operation for 79 years, and they closed it down without warning because the sink was in the wrong spot? There's either something seriously missing from this news report, or the Department of Health has run amok on a restaurant-closing spree since their embarrasing bad press last week regarding rat infestations.

I think the latter is true...and they picked a notable place so people would pay attention. If they closed someplace no one heard of it wouldn't be on the news...or here!

I suspect Prince, er, Mayor Bloomberg has ordered the closing of all restaurants that aren't really, really expensive.

All those pizza joints and fast food places are taking up valuable space that could be filled with high-end, high-rent spots for people who can afford to dine out.

I like the one in Times Square much better.

As with all broadcast media news reports on the current NYC restaurant health violation scene, this news report from a all-news radio station is short on details. Even worse is the Department of Health itself. As I type this, it still has the results of a May 26, 2006 report on its web site giving the restaurant a score of 6. The lower the number, the better. The citywide average is 13. The failing grade is 28.

The print media has been providing more details. From an editorial in today's New York Post:
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"Fact is, there isn't a restaurant in New York City - hell, in the world - that could stand up to a rule-book inspection conducted by someone with an embarrassed and angry boss.

Yes, John's Pizzeria "failed" because it had more than 100 rodent droppings. But the so-called "book" allows inspectors considerable latitude.

According to the rules, a restaurant can fail an inspection - and still remain open if it corrects its violations by the time of a follow-up "compliance" inspection.

Yet John's was shut down on the spot."
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In New York, the owner of a closed down restaurant always talks about one "mox nix" violation, and says nothing about the other 22 violations, including two rats copulating under the salad bar. But this time, I have to agree with Tony that the health department is picking well-known places to shut down in order to get attention.

Obviously an act of revenge. Perhaps the proprietor failed to pay his weekly stipend to the city health inspector's office.

I have been told by many friends in the biz that the Health Department has been on the warpath since the rodent incident.

John's rules.

quote:

Originally posted by Joisey

http://www.1010wins.com/pages/287633.php?contentType=4&contentId=362266

Is this the same John's pizza that has a location in the Theatre district?

quote:

Originally posted by tfrielin
Is this the same John's pizza that has a location in the Theatre district?

The location in the theater district (housed in a former church with an amazing soaring glass ceiling) is affiliated with John's on Bleecker Street, but the food isn't the same. It looks the same, but it sure doesn't taste the same. Plus, it's an absolute zoo.