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Popular Chicken Shack Dirty Bird Shut Down by Health Department

By Mathew Katz | June 5, 2013 12:22pm
 Dirty Bird To Go on West 14th Street was still shut down on Wednesday.
Dirty Bird To Go on West 14th Street was still shut down on Wednesday.
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DNAinfo/Mathew Katz

CHELSEA — Looks like Dirty Bird lived up to its name.

The organic chicken shack on West 14th Street racked up 80 violation points during a June 3 health inspection, causing city inspectors to shut down the joint.

According to Health Department records, inspectors found flies in the restaurant's tiny kitchen, along with food left uncovered and cold food that was left unrefrigerated and at unsafe temperatures.

The inspection also found that cooking surfaces weren't properly cleaned and wiping cloths were left soiled, the Health Department said.

Advertising itself as "fast slow food," Dirty Bird To Go offers buttermilk fried and rotisserie chicken, along with southern sides such as mac 'n cheese, coleslaw, and cornbread. Along with the Chelsea spot, the restaurant also has a TriBeCa location. Both are popular among the neighborhoods' lunch crowds.

The restaurant, known for its organic chickens, was still closed at lunchtime on Wednesday. Staff appeared to be inside but declined to speak to a reporter. The restaurant did not respond to phone calls for comment.