Customers Slowly Return to Montezuma after DOH Shutdown

Customers Slowly Return to Montezuma after DOH Shutdown
by David Greene

Customers are slowing coming back to an embattled eatery after being closed for a week due to serious health code violations.

According to Carolina Rodriguez, a spokeswoman with the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOH), Montezuma Restaurant, located at 119 W. Kingsbridge Road was shut from May 22 thru June 2, after failing a regular safety inspection.

Rodriguez said, “Montezuma Restaurant was temporarily closed on May 22nd for critical health hazards that could not be corrected at the time of the inspection, including vermin and roach infestation.”

A sticker announces the closure by the Department of Health.--Photo by David Greene

A sticker announces the closure by the Department of Health.–Photo by David Greene

Rodriguez continued, “A reopening inspection was conducted on May 31, but the inspection found the establishment had not corrected critical violations… and the restaurant was not authorized to open.”

The restaurant, which features a Mexican menu was inspected a third time on June 2, and finally allowed to re-open.

According to the May 31 inspection, the DOH employee reported “live roaches present in facility’s food and / or non food areas” and “harborage or conditions to attracting vermin to the premises and / or allowing them to exist.”

The popular Montezuma Restaurant on W. Kingsbridge Road was shutdown after failing a health inspection.--Photo by David Greene

The popular Montezuma Restaurant on W. Kingsbridge Road was shutdown after failing a health inspection.–Photo by David Greene

One area resident who declined to give his name, recalled, “The food was always good, but I haven’t been there in six-months.”

Repeated requests for comment were denied by the owners of Montezuma.

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