Famed pizzeria Di Fara has been shut down after racking up an impressive 67 points in health code violations -- a failing grade.
The Midwood, Brooklyn pie joint, which is often hailed as the best slice in New York and sees crowds line up outside the restaurant, was shuttered by the city Health Department on November 16th for being a "health hazard." The DOH witnessed signs of mice droppings, flies, hair, and workers wearing soiled garments at the restaurant (for a complete list, go here).
Pizzamaster Dom DeMarco has been making pies at Di Fara for five decades now, and his handmade $5 slices have made him a sort of beloved figure in the pizza community (if there is such a thing).
The Di Fara clan claim on their Facebook page that they would be closing for a few days for "personal matters." They later joke that spending so much time on Facebook had cost them the violation points.
Eater points out that this is not the first time the pizzeria got in trouble with the DOH. "Back in 2007, the pizza spot failed five out of six of its health inspections, and it has scored a high B/low C score every time it's been inspected in the last two years."
Fans of their pizza don't seem fazed, though, taking to their Facebook page to defend the place from the news. "You guys are the best....And I'm not just talking about the pizza....Good people…." said one poster. "Anxiously awaiting the reopening....
Di Fara is set to reopen on Wednesday.
CORRECTION: This article previously stated that Di Fara had "67 code violations", when in fact they had 67 points in health code violations. Each type of violation is assigned a different number of points. For a full explanation go here.
Josh Ozersky made a video in 2010 on the joys of eating a Di Fara slice:
A close-up look at making the famed pie