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- Subway restaurant forced to close after failing health inspection with 10 violations (irishstar.com)
North Side Subway Temporarily Shuts Down Due to Health Code Violations
Pittsburgh, PA – A Subway restaurant located on the 900 block of Ridge Avenue in Pittsburgh’s North Side has been forced to temporarily close its doors after Allegheny County Health Department inspectors uncovered a string of health code violations. The sandwich shop received 10 infractions, leading to its immediate closure.
The health department’s findings revealed several critical issues, including:
- Inadequate refrigeration equipment
- Foods stored at improper temperatures
- Absence of a certified food protection manager
- Improper cooling procedures
- Inadequate plumbing fixtures
Inspectors specifically noted that tuna salad, prepared four hours prior, registered at a concerning 53 degrees Fahrenheit in the walk-in cooler. Food safety standards dictate that prepared items must be kept at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Similarly, deli meats such as sliced salami and ham were found at 48 degrees, exceeding safe temperature limits. Other items in the preparation area, including roast chicken, chopped tomatoes, and sliced cheese, also failed to meet temperature standards.
The walk-in cooler itself maintained a temperature range of 45 to 48 degrees.
The restaurant will remain closed until a follow-up inspection confirms that its refrigeration equipment can consistently maintain food temperatures below 41 degrees.
This closure comes as the Subway chain faces broader challenges. Last month, MTF Enterprises, a franchisee operating 43 Subway restaurants across Pennsylvania, Maine, New Hampshire, and Virginia, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
It remains unclear whether any of these locations will ultimately close. The operator of the currently shuttered North Side Subway has not been disclosed.
In recent years, Subway has seen a significant reduction in its footprint, closing over 600 stores. The chain now operates its smallest number of U.S. restaurant locations in two decades, with 19,502 outlets nationwide at the close of 2024, down from a peak of 27,000 locations in 2015.