WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA9) - This week's health department closures in Virginia and all over DC include famous sandwich shops, one of Washington's most famous destinations, and a carryout closed a fourth time for violations inspectors ruled put the public health at risk.
All the restaurants have passed re-inspection and except for a Subway that now appears vacant, are back in business.
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Health inspectors temporarily closed Market Lunch and Union Meats at Eastern Market; Kitchen No. 1, 4665 South Capitol, SE DC; El Rincon, 1826 Columbia Road, NW DC; La Molienda, 3568 14th Street, NW DC, Quiznos Sub and Trinity Deli, Trinity Square, 200 Michigan Avenue, NE DC, Subway, Joyce St., Arlington, Va.
Two Shops Ordered Closed at Eastern Market
Inspectors shut down Union Meat and Market Lunch at Eastern Market on 7th Street, SE citing both for failing to minimize the presence of insects, rodents and other pests.
The manager at Union Meats says inspectors found a small amount of mouse droppings in the doorjamb along the rear of his shop and says he's sealed up the tiny opening.
Across the aisle at Market Lunch, owner Tom Glasgow said he had nothing to hide, runs a clean ship and he welcomed our crew into his kitchen.
Glasgow said, "I think the health department was totally overzealous in their inspection process and I believe the closure was unwarranted and unjustified."
Four Time Offender: Kitchen No. 1
A Southeast DC carry-out you may remember from our Valentine's Day 2013 report of its repeat closures was ordered closed again, a fourth time, with new violations.
Inspectors closed Kitchen Number on South Capitol SE again. In this closure, inspectors cited the restaurant with 15 violations including mouse droppings, unclean food contact surfaces and improper food temperatures.
Inspectors closed Kitchen No. 1 last year citing workers touching food with their bare hands, unsafe food temperatures and dirty conditions.
DC does not limit the number of times a food operator may be shut down with hazards inspectors deem put diners at risk.
2 closings at Trinity Square
Inspectors closed Quiznos Sub citing 7 violations including rodent droppings observed throughout the establishment and no hot water at the DC required 110 degrees.
The manager said all the problems have been fixed and he declined our request to check for improvements.
A few doors down at Trinity Deli, inspectors cited 17 violations including rodent droppings observed in various locations and improper food storage temperatures like tartar sauce at 58 degrees.
The deli manager said he had no comment and our cameras were not welcome.
La Molienda
In Columbia Heights inspectors closed La Molienda Restaurant on 14th street citing 12 violations including a sewage back up, mouse droppings, a roach and fly infestation.
The manager declined our request to look around for improvements.
El Rincon
DC Health ordered El Rincon Espanol on Columbia Road closed documenting live roaches and rodent droppings and no food safety manager.
Subway at Pentagon Row
At the Joyce St Subway in Arlington, inspectors cited 12 violations, including improper handwashing, conditions at the women's restroom toilet, an employee that failed to wash his or her hands, and no certified food manager.
We found no violations at Subway, in fact inside the Arlington Subway, we found nothing other than a leasing sign on the window.
