Chick-fil-A re-opened the doors to its Manhattan restaurant Tuesday morning following a six-day hiatus. Just three months after opening its first stand-alone store in New York City, the chain voluntarily closed its popular restaurant on Dec. 30 after city health inspectors cited a number of violations. The company said it closed the outlet to "perform maintenance and facilities updates."
A sign on the store window last week indicated it originally planned to reopen on Monday, but the chain said in a statement on its website that the decision was made to remain closed "until we feel confident we are exceeding standards in all areas."
The closing happened after the restaurant's second inspection. The first, conducted on Dec. 15, indicated problems with "hot food item not held at or above 140º F," flies, and vermin proofing. However, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene did not close the restaurant. Mandatory closures only occur when there is a public health hazard that cannot be corrected at the time of the inspection.
These were the six violations from the city's latest inspection conducted on Dec. 24. Additional details on each violation were not immediately available from the health department.
1. "Cold food item held above 41º F."
2. "Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140º F to 70º F or less within two hours, and from 70º F to 41º F or less within four additional hours."
3. "Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas."
4. "Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service."
5. "Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution."
6. "Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist."
Additional details about each violation were not immediately available from the health department on Monday.