Favorite local eateries & their health dept. grades
While I have restaurant inspections on my mind, I looked up all the places where Charles and I eat regularly in the neighborhood to see how they fared. What do you know, every single place passed their last health inspection except for one: Enduro. That's right. Our favorite PLG restaurant — and the most popular restaurant among our fellow gentrifiers — harbors mice. (What gives, Jim Mamary?)
In order to pass a health department inspection, restaurants need 28 violation points or fewer. Eateries that fail the test get a followup inspection. So here's a run down of our favorite local eateries (excluding Sushi Tatsu, which we already mentioned, and Whiskey Sunday, which has been done to death).
(51 Lincoln Rd.)
34 violation points on 2/4/2009
The Mexican-fusion place isn't the only eat-in restaurant in the nabe, but it's the only one we frequent. Unfortunately, the last inspection didn't go so well for the typical reasons: evidence of mice, poor contact surfaces, food stored at improper temperatures. Aw, hell, we're going back regardless. (We'll let you know how Enduro does on its followup inspection.)
(43 Lincoln Road)
Passed on 9/23/2008
K-Dog is what a local cafe should be: warm and welcoming, with good soups and sandwiches, wireless access, and a solid commitment to the local community. But you already know all that — and now you know that it's sanitary too.
(825 Flatbush - near Caton)
Passed on 2/27/2008
This Trini hole-in-the-wall has doubles ($1, $2 with chicken) and roti (vegetable are ~$5 IIRC) that make it worth the walk. The roti wraps (Buss up shot) in particular are fantastic. There are no seats, which makes sense because there are about 5 feet between the door and the counter where you order. The line, when there is a line, moves pretty quickly.
(738 Flatbush near Clarkson)
Passed on 7/29/2008
Even after the Jerk Off proved to us that several places in the neighborhood make a decent jerk chicken, Peppa's remains our favorite. The meat is super moist, with a smokey flavor and a perfect char, without any hint of sweetness. Again, a total hole-in-the-wall. They also sell various Jamaican standbys but our money is on the chicken.
(679 Flatbush - bet. Hawthorne and Winthrop)
718-703-0408
Passed on 3/18/2008
We dig the beans and rice at this Latin restaurant on Flatbush and get takeout from here about once a week. The roasted pork is good too.
(720 Flatbush at Parkside)
Passed on 2/27/2008
The pizza here isn't just good for PLG standards, it's good, PERIOD. Excellent, even. Thin crust with a tasty sauce. (I'm not a big fan of pizza that has so much cheese that you can't enjoy the crust and sauce.) An unpretentious, solid slice.
(661 Flatbush at Hawthorne)
Passed on 9/25/2008
Charles stops in here once or twice a week to pick up an excellent veggie patty for breakfast ($1.50). Their other patties are good, and we know someone who swears by their jerk chicken. A friend of Charles's who grew up in the neighborhood stops in for raisin buns every time she comes over, just like she did when she was a kid.
Now, if you want a super clean kitchen, you can always go with the Popeye's on Parkside and Flatbush and the McDonald's at 57 Empire — both passed their inspections with 0 points. At least they're healthy in one respect...
y wife and I are new to the nabe and we love the delivery chinese from King's Chef on Flatbush. Any idea how they scored? P.S. I love the Blog.. you give a bunch of great info. keep up the good work.
Posted by: David A. Medeiros | March 11, 2009 at 07:50 PM
thanks for the helpful info.
what's the story with scoops on flatbush? they're always closed when i go over there. but have noticed that they're open other times when riding by on the bus.
walked by the closed fried fish place on flatbush last sunday night. i asked one of 2 workers outside what was happening to the space. and he said a new food business was moving in but he didn't know what kind.
Posted by: Gabriel | March 12, 2009 at 11:20 AM
The fish place was closed by the health dept. for operating without a license. Hopefully the new place will have its act more together...
Posted by: carrie | March 12, 2009 at 11:41 AM