Health Department Closes Bruegger's Bagels In Coolidge Corner

BROOKLINE, MA — Bruegger's Bagels shuttered suddenly in Coolidge Corner last week because of health code violations, according to the town. After an inspection May 13, the Brookline Health Department claimed there was a mouse infestation and ordered the bagel chain to close for 10 days.

Health Department officials said there had been multiple health code violations reported. An inspector said when it came to the category listed as safe, unadulterated, honestly presented, she said the restaurant an out of compliance, noting: "A pineapple observed in direct contact with mouse droppings ... (and) food items discarded on site."

She detailed the problem of a rodent infestation in a report given to the restaurant:

"Evidence of mouse infestation observed at the time of inspection. Rodent droppings observed in direct contact with food, along food contact surfaces, along food shelving, and throughout floor of establishment. Evidence of rodents chewing through previously sealed holes (loose caulking and debris under bagel bar). Establishment must thoroughly clean and sanitize, seal off all openings, and exterminate via licensed pest control operator."

As for non-food contact surfaces, the cleanliness of those were out of compliance as well, the inspector wrote.

"Floors throughout bagel bar and prep are unclean: greasy and contain excessive food debris and seasoning. Clean and maintain," the inspector wrote.

On May 16, a sign was posted on the shop saying it was closed for "repairs. The corporate website changed all of the Harvard Street location's hours to "closed." A representative from Bruegger's would only say that the space was closed for repairs.

The town has another inspection planned for Friday morning to assess the improvements.

Other restaurant health code violations:

Bruegger's was the only business to be ordered closed in town this year because it did not address health code violations fast enough, according to the department. But it's not the only one to have to be accused of health code violations:

Hong Kong Cafe II was cited on February 22 after someone complained they had food poisoning there. Inspectors said they found mouse droppings and evidence of roaches in the basement and ordered that treated.

Bay State Food Shops was cited on March 20 and accused of having trash and old boxes and other debris strewn in the back alley.

Golden Temple was cited on March 19.

Sichuan Gourmet was cited on April 4 for cockroaches, wiping cloths not being stored in sanitizer solution, missing labels on food, no label to tell how warm the water in the dishwasher is.

"Insect fell out of a dumpling from Sichuan Gourmet, customer had purchased take-out," read a description of a complaint sent to the department on April 1.

Wu Er by WOW Barbecue was cited on April 23 for dumpsters being open and overflowing, trash and food debris on ground in trash storage area and the inside trash area being used as a storage space.

Previously:

Bruegger's Bagels Is Closed In Coolidge Corner

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).