Gallucio's Restaurant temporarily closed after inspector finds rodent droppings in food prep area

Meredith Newman , Patricia Talorico | The News Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Food establishments closed for health violations, permit issues The health department ordered 26 food establishments to temporarily close or to stop serving food so far this year. 8/21/18

The Delaware health department ordered Gallucio's Restaurant to close Wednesday after a food inspector found rodents and their droppings in the Italian eatery, among other violations.

During a routine inspection Tuesday, an inspector found a rodent infestation. Droppings could be seen in the food preparation and bar area as well as the ware-washing station. The walk-in refrigerator had an improper temperature, according to the state's cease-and-desist letter.

During a follow-up inspection on Wednesday, an inspector wrote in a report that four dead mice were found, including one in a coat closet and one under the pizza oven. Mold was also on the walls and ceiling of the walk-in refrigerator.

The restaurant was not allowed to reopen on Wednesday, according to the report.

The state reinspected Gallucio's, at 709 Lovering Ave. in Wilmington, on Friday and gave it permission to reopen. An employee who answered the restaurant's phone said the business would likely reopen around 4 p.m. Friday.

Gregory Dorak, general manager of the restaurant, said he was “flabbergasted” by the issues. In the past two days, he said his staff “has come together to rectify the problems.”

The Division of Public Health, which oversees 4,000 food establishments in Delaware, was unable Friday to immediately provide the accompanying inspection report, which gives more details about the restaurant's conditions.

2018 food inspection data not available as state seeks to replace database

17 Delaware businesses forced to stop food service in 2017

Through July, the state has forced 26 businesses to close immediately or stop serving food until issues could be addressed, according to inspection reports requested by The News Journal.

At least 14 businesses have been sent cease-and-desist letters and were ordered to shut down immediately because of imminent health hazards.

A dozen other operations and individuals were forced to immediately cease food service operations by health officials after inspectors found they failed to obtain legal food preparation permits.

After two highly publicized chain restaurant closings this summer, The News Journal requested from Delaware's Division of Public Health all cease-and-desist letters the state issued in 2017 and 2018 as well as health inspection reports for those food establishments.

The health department's public database has not been updating correctly since May 2017, state officials say. A new database is being built, but that process has been slow.

Officials believe the first part of the database will be completed this fall. The public should have access by the end of the year.

Delaware residents can still request inspection reports from the Dover office or ask for an inspection report at a restaurant.

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Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 324-2386 or mnewman@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @MereNewman.