HARLEM — Neighborhood eatery African & American Best Food may be overstating its product.
The restaurant was one of two neighborhood joints shut down by the Health Department this week.
African & American Best Food, on 410 Lenox Ave., was closed Tuesday after inspectors found flies inside the restaurant, food being stored above required temperatures and insufficient refrigerating equipment.
During a follow up inspection Thursday, inspectors found people either smoking, eating or drinking in the food prep area, according to the Department of Health.
The restaurant remained closed Friday morning and management could not be reached for comment.
The second Harlem restaurant to be closed this week was Ottomanelli’s Restaurant at 1325 Fifth Ave. On Tuesday, inspectors found “evidence of mice” and “live roaches present in facility’s food and or non-food areas,” according to the Department of Health.
The restaurant is correcting the violation and hopes to be open Friday evening, an employee said.
“We had a broken pipe so we are fixing it,” she said.
