Uncle Jack's Steakhouse Closed By Health Inspectors

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — Uncle Jack's Steakhouse on Bell Boulevard was ordered closed after it failed a health inspection Tuesday. The restaurant had reopened by March 8 with a "Grade Pending" certificate from the health department, QNS.com reported.

The Bayside steakhouse received 61 violation points after inspectors from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found evidence of mice and potential food contamination. Inspectors close restaurants that get 28 points or above — the lower the score, the better.

Reached by phone, a woman at Uncle Jack's declined to comment.

Other sanitary violations included eating or drinking in the kitchen, conditions that would attract vermin and food not cooled by an approved method. Inspectors also said food wasn't protected from potential sources of contamination; some food was adulterated, contaminated or not properly discarded.

For more Bayside news, sign up for Patch's daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

Willie Degel, the founder of Uncle Jack's Steakhouse, is best known as the host of the Food Network show "Restaurant Stakeout." Degel also operates the steakhouse's Midtown West location and Uncle Jack's Meat House in Astoria, Queens.

The Bayside steakhouse is located at 3940 Bell Boulevard.

This post has been updated to reflect that the steakhouse was reopened.