Hudson Valley Restaurants With Worst Health Code Violations

Update: Bonsai Japanese Restaurant had no violations during a subsequent inspection on Nov. 11, 2014.

Correction: An earlier version of this article included Dallas Hot Wieners of Kingston. The NYSDH website erroneously listed Dallas Hot Wieners as having multiple critical violations during a recent health inspection. In fact, they had no critical violations.

We love eating out, but not when it makes us sick.  We've combed through restaurant inspection data from the New York State Department of Health for a list of the worst health code violations in the Hudson Valley. Below are restaurants in our listening area that received at least 3 critical violations within the past year. You can search the entire database of inspections and look up your favorite restaurants on the NYSDH website.

The Dancing Cat Saloon, Bethel
During their last inspection on April 17 of 2014 this establishment received 5 critical violations including cross-contamination from raw foods, not using proper utensils to eliminate bare hand contact with cooked or prepared foods and improper food temperatures.  They also received 9 other violations including food not protected from potential sources of contamination, tobacco being used, eating and drinking in food preparation areas, improper storage and handling of ice, dirty wiping cloths not stored properly in sanitizing solutions, food contact surfaces not washed or sanitized properly after each use and dirty surfaces.

I-Swirl Frozen Yogurt, Woodbourne
The self-serve frozen yogurt restaurant had 22 violations during their last inspection in October of 2013, including 5 critical issues.  Problems included water/ice from unsafe, unapproved sources; food from unapproved source, spoiled, adulterated on premises; Inadequate personal cleanliness;  Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use; and Insects, rodents present.

Master Wok, Middletown
In June of 2014, the restaurant in the Galleria at Crystal Run was handed 5 critical violations including Toxic chemicals improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.; Potentially hazardous foods not stored under refrigeration; Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and improper hand washing facilities.

Snapper Magee's, Kingston
The Front Street bar was inspected on July 25 of 2014 and received 14 violations. They include Water/ice from unapproved sources, food from unapproved source, spoiled, adulterated on premises;  food workers not using proper utensils to eliminate bare hand contact with cooked or prepared foods; toxic chemicals improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur and inadequate toilet facilities.

Ruyi Asian Cuisine, Saugerties
On June 24 of this year the restaurant received 24 violations.  They included critical violations for food from unapproved source, spoiled, adulterated on premises; bare hand contact with cooked or prepared foods; improper food temperatures; unwashed or sanitized food contact surfaces and inadequate toilets

Milanese Restaurant, Poughkeepsie
In March of 2014 the restaurant on Main Street in Poughkeepsie was given 3 critical and 3 noncritical violations.  This included unrefrigerated items, food workers not using proper utensils to eliminate bare hand contact with food and potential sources of contamination.

Bonsai Japanese Restaurant, Poughkeepsie
The Route 9 sushi restaurant was inspected on July 28, 2014 and received 11 total violations including improper food temperatures, improper storage of utensils and unrefrigerated items.

Liberty Diner, Liberty
14 violations were handed out in January of 2014 for items including improper temperatures, food storage and available harborage areas for rodents, insects and other vermin.

Red Line Diner, Fishkill
In July of 2014 an inspector observed a chef using tongs to handle raw chicken, then placing those tongs on a cutting board where other foods were being placed.  The Red Line was also given violations for improper food temperatures and not enough refrigeration storage areas.

Neptune Diner, Newburgh
Because of swollen, leaking, rusty or dented cans, the Neptune received a violation in June of 2014 along with two other violations for improper food temperatures and dirty ventilation.

Again, this list only contains restaurants in the Hudson Valley area that were inspected within the last year and given at least 3 critical violations.  Full data on all restaurant violations can be found at the New York State Department of Health's website.