Baluchi's Shuttered by DOH. Again.

[Image via @NineDaves]

Hungry for Indian food, guys? Some tikka masala? Some curry? Perhaps some naan? Let's hope Baluchi's (310 5th Avenue, between 2nd and 3rd Street) isn't on your list of places you want to eat. Last Thursday (4/4/13), the Department of Health closed down the chain Indian restaurant for 49 violation points. Badhā'ī!

This is not the first time Baluchi's has been closed down by the DOH. In June 2012, they were shut down after 70 violation points. February 2012, after 44. Third times a charm, guys! 

Here's what got Baluchi's boarded up this time (The ones in red are considered "critical" violations): 

1) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F.
2) Hot food item that has been cooked and refrigerated is being held for service without first being reheated to 1 65º F or above within 2 hours.
3) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
4) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
5) Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
6) Tobacco use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area observed.
7) Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
8) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
9) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

YUM!

Anyone sad by this? We've been avoiding this place since we heard about the snot rockets, TBQH.