A neighborhood restaurant that opened less than two years ago — and quickly drew a following for its self-serve dining concept — was cited for evidence of live rats, live roaches, and a string of food-handling violations during its most recent city health inspection.
Mala Town, the build-your-own hotpot spot at 929 Amsterdam Avenue between West 106th and 107th streets, racked up 85 violation points across 11 sanitary violations during a New York City Department of Health inspection on April 22. For context, restaurants scoring 0 to 13 points receive an “A” grade, those scoring 14 to 27 receive a “B,” and 28 or more points results in a “C” — the lowest letter grade the city issues.
Among the most serious findings: evidence of rats and live rats in the establishment’s food or non-food areas, live roaches in the facility, and food held at improper temperatures — with hot items not kept at or above 140°F and cold items held above 41°F. Inspectors also documented food from an unapproved or unknown source, raw or prepared food that was adulterated, contaminated, or cross-contaminated, and conditions inside the restaurant conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests…