DETROIT (WWJ) -- Iconic Detroit eatery Lafayette Coney Island, one of two landmark coney islands in the heart of downtown, is closed after videos showed rats scurrying through the restaurant.
Photos shared to social media on Wednesday show a "NOTICE — CLOSED" sign on the door of the restaurant, at 118 W. Lafayette, which reads:
"This food service establishment is not to be engaged in business, or used as a food service facility until approved by the Detroit Health Department in accordance with Michigan Food Law, Act 92 of 2000, as amended.
"Reason: imminent or substantial hazard in violation of section(s) 5101(1)(k), 2113(1), act 92 of 2000, as amended. This notice must not be removed, covered or defaced until authorized by the Detroit Health Department under penalty of state law."
Denise Fair Razo, Chief Public Health Officer for the Detroit Health Department, said the primary concern is rats and rat droppings.
"We were notified yesterday that were rats running through Lafayette restaurant, and so the health department immediately went on site," she told WWJ's Sandra McNeill. "We did not find any rats, but we did see there was multiple droppings...and that was substantial evidence that were rodents throughout the facility."
Inspectors also found multiple holes throughout the restaurant, Fair Razo said, which they believe the rats are using to get inside.
She said the city asked Lafayette to close on Tuesday, which they did voluntarily. When they quickly reopened, inspectors forced a shutdown.
This news comes after, earlier Wednesday, Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson, representing District 3, shared a video on social media that appears to show a rat running through the restaurant back in August.
Fair Razo said the health department has received several tips from Detroit residents about the issue, and she's seen several videos like the one shared by Benson.
"The rats were huge," she told McNeill. "That's unacceptable for our city. So, again, we're hoping that they do comply, that they clean up their facility so that residents can enjoy Lafayette again."
Attempts by WWJ Newsradio 950 to contact Lafayette Coney Island on Wednesday were unsuccessful. No one answered the phone at the restaurant, and the business' voicemail was full.
Meanwhile, Councilman Benson is pushing for an ordinance that would require all Detroit restaurants to post color-coded grades from the health department; a proposal that's getting some pushback from business owners in the city.
It's unclear at this time when Lafayette will be able to reopen. If you're hungry for a coney in the meantime, American Coney Island is open right next door.
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