Lafayette Coney ordered to close, rodent droppings found
Lafayette Coney Island, the famed restaurant on Lafayette Boulevard in downtown Detroit, was ordered by the city health department's food safety division to shut down Wednesday over what it said were violations.
The health department was notified on social media, with a video, that rodents were seen, said Denise Fair Razo, Detroit public health officer.
On Tuesday, the department showed up at Lafayette and did an inspection.
"We didn't see rodents, but we did see substantial evidence in the form of droppings that suggested that there were rodents there," Fair Razo said. "Whenever there are rodents in the facility, we respond."
Lafayette Coney voluntarily shut down Tuesday, Fair Razo said. However, she said, the department received several phone calls that the restaurant reopened later Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday morning, Fair Razo said, the department returned and issued a cease-and-desist order to protect the public.
The restaurant is now closed for cleaning. Lafayette will be inspected again "to make sure it's safe," Fair Razo said, adding that the inspection will take place, unannounced, in the next few days.
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Lafayette Coney was cited for violating section 6-501.111 of the food code of the Michigan Food Law.
The violation has to do with safe and proper food handling, Fair Razo said.
"Whenever there are rodents in the facility that is an extreme violation and the health department responds usually within 24 hours," she said. "This was very urgent and we showed up that same day to do an inspection."
Fair Razo noted that the health department can't be everywhere at all times.
"We do rely on our residents to be our eyes and ears," she said. "We are really grateful to the residents who tagged us on several videos. "
Fair Razo said residents can call, send an email or file a complaint online through the health department's website.
"We respond to all complaints within a couple of days," she said.
Fair Razo said she is tagged on social media several times a week with complaints.
"If you see something, say something," she said. "We treat every complaint as a serious matter. When it comes to our residents' safety we put their health first."
Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lafayette Coney Island ordered to shut down over rodent droppings
