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Pok Pok Ny Temporarily Closes After City Finds Violations in Barbecue Area

 Chef Andy Ricker's popular Thai restaurant, Pok Pok Ny, is closed temporarily after an inspector found that their outdoor cooking area was not up to code.
Pok Pok Ny
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COLUMBIA STREET WATERFRONT DISTRICT — Pok Pok Ny, a popular Thai eatery on Columbia Street, was shut down temporarily after a city inspection found fault with its outdoor grilling area.

Chef Andy Ricker, the owner of the restaurant located at 117 Columbia St. announced that Pok Pok Ny would stay closed until its charcoal barbeque area was brought up to code, Eater first reported.

“Until we can satisfy the city that we are compliant with [Department of Buildings] and FDNY code, in that the structure covering the BBQs is legal, we must remain closed,” said a note on the restaurant's website.

During the Department of Health’s Feb. 28 inspection, the restaurant racked up 50 points in violations, which included “food contact surface improperly constructed or located. Unacceptable material used.”

City officials also found that food was not protected from a “potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service,” according to the inspection report.

Grub Street reported that Ricker expected the agency to return at some point Monday, allowing the eatery to be back in business by that night.

Pok Pok Ny specializes in food found at pubs, restaurants, homes and the streets of Southeast Asia. Most of the food is inspired by cuisine in Thailand, specifically the north and northeast regions.

Ricker also owns Whiskey Soda Lounge Ny on Columbia Street and Pok Pok Phat Thai on the Lower East Side, both of which are still open.