Famed Mile End Delicatessen Closed For Mice, Flies

BOERUM HILL, BROOKLYN — Popular Jewish-Canadian deli Mile End had its flagship New York City location shut down by health inspectors this week after construction next door brought pests into the eatery, according to records and the owners.

Mile End Delicatessen closed on Wednesday after inspectors found flies, mice and other health violations at the 97 Hoyt St. spot, records show. The restaurant was given 65 violation points, more than two times the threshold that requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene close a business.

But owners said the deli, which made headlines when it brought its Quebec-style smoked meat to Brooklyn in 2010, should be open again by Friday's lunch rush. A second inspection cleared the deli to open Friday morning, co-owner Joel Tietolman told Patch.

"There is a bunch of construction happening next door...that caused some pest issues," Tietolman said. "We had a few things we had to take care of, but we're in the process of reopening."

He added that the inspector just needed to finish up the paperwork before the restaurant would officially start up again.

The original inspection found that the restaurant had filth flies, evidence of mice or live mice and was not vermin-proofed. Tietolman said fixing the problems included closing up holes that had brought the pests in from the construction area.

The inspectors also gave the eatery violation points for not keeping cold food at the proper temperature, not protecting food from potential contamination and plumbing problems, records show.

Tietolman said the deli had been having hot water issues that led to some of the violations that it has now fixed.

Mile End's Hoyt Street spot was one of two that it had in New York City, before closing its NoHo location late last year to focus on expanding the Brooklyn outpost. The Canadian sandwich shop also has expanded into the South, including locations in Tennessee and Alabama, Eater reported.