UPDATE II: 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11: Jacob’s Pickles reopened to the public on Tuesday following a successful Health Department inspection Monday, according to the city agency.
After a failed health inspection on June 4 that closed the popular Upper West Side restaurant at 509 Amsterdam Avenue, between 84th and 85th streets, inspectors returned to the bar on June 6 and June 9.
While improvement were made from the 76 points of sanitary violations racked up the June 4 inspection, Health Department inspectors still found 33 points of violations when they returned for the first time on June 6, reports show.
More progress was then made, though, and Jacob’s Pickles was able to reopen Tuesday after receiving only 10 points worth of violations on the Monday, June 9 inspection, records show.
You can see all of the inspection details for yourself — HERE.
UPDATE: 9 a.m. on Friday, June 6: The details of Jacob’s Pickles failed Health Department inspection were posted on the city portal Friday morning. The inspection took place on Wednesday.
The popular Upper West Side bar was docked 76 points for sanitary violations. A restaurant can be closed if it has more than 28 points of violations.
Here’s what the Health Department found.
- Hot food items not held at or above 140 degrees.
- Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment’s food or non-food areas.
- Live roaches in facility’s food or non-food area.
- Sewage disposal system is not provided, improper, inadequate or unapproved.
- Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination.
- Equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.
The full inspection is available — HERE.
Original Story
By Gus Saltonstall
Jacob’s Pickles, the popular Upper West Side restaurant and bar, has been closed by the New York City Health Department, according to a sign on its door Thursday morning.
The restaurant at 509 Amsterdam Avenue, between 84th and 85th streets, also posted its own note on its door to explain what had happened.
“Due to an issue uncovered by the Department of Health — referencing damaged areas of facilities — it’s the necessary decision to temporarily close our doors for what we expect will be two days,” the “Note to Our Community” reads. “While unexpected, we are genuinely grateful that this issue was brought to our attention. The safety of our guests and staff is always our top priority, and we’re already hard at work making the needed repairs so we can welcome you back as soon as possible.”
The note continues, “As many of you know, our neighborhood and this building is full of history — but with that charm comes the reality of age and the need for serious upgrades. This is one of the many reasons we’re preparing to move to our new home on Columbus Avenue.”
Last spring, Jacob’s Pickles announced that it would move to a larger space at 688 Columbus Avenue, between 93rd and 94th streets. That move has not yet taken place, but its current home is set to become a new bar from the same owner called the Velvet Cowboy.
Since there is around a 24-hour delay on the Health Department’s portal for inspections, it is not clear as of Thursday morning what exactly was found within Jacob’s Pickles. The eatery’s previous inspection took place on December 18, 2024, when it received a C rating from the Health Department.
The Rag will update this story when the most recent inspection report is posted.
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Maybe Trump will pardon them.
Why don’t you democrats stop with the BS.
it’s the owners disgusting filthy fault.
That’s why I will never eat in a restaurant in NYC.
The Rats are taking over. And our officials do absolutely nothing about it. Just like the
homeless and mentally ill
Why don’t you two both shut up about politics? Signed everyone!
Ah, didn’t they just do something about it?
DEMOCRATS!! DRINK!!!
MAYBE HE WILL EAT ONE!
That’s RFK Jr’s job!
TACO
TAINTED PICKLE OR TACO
Jacob must be from ot of town. No City Agency works that quick , , , “we expect to be closed for two days.” 🙂 I believe the repairs maybe be done in two days, but don’t expect the city back for another 7 or more!
He is not and grew up in Astoria & attended school on the UWS (I believe Dwight).
https://www.timeout.com/newyork/time-out-market/the-grilling-jacobs-pickles-jacob-hadjigeorgis
I ate here shortly after the July 8th 2024 health inspection ( unknowingly) and I got sick from the food i ate here. I should have known there was something going on because the whole restaurant was at least 90 degrees inside, they had some portable air conditioners set up that really did not help much. The temperature in the kitchen had to be over 120 degrees or more. kitchen equipment does not work efficiently in this type of environment and thus the reason for food products not being held at proper temperatures, As far as live rats and every type of fly that exists being found is just down right dirty and disgusting and quite disturbing that a business owner like this is still allowed to just open another place and keep their license is ludicrous, I’m sure the new place by the same owners ( the dirty Cowboy) will continue serving up more nasty bits and unsavory fare at the expense of the health and well-being of their patrons.
Sorry to hear that.
These people have taken over an entire block for the best part of the last 5 years. What about that tells anyone that they care about anything other than the quick profit. Of course, big share of the blame must go to the City for allowing this nonsense.
I’ve walked by this place every day for 10 years. Never set foot inside and don’t intend to.
Wow,! Very unpleasant.
There was a time that Jacob’s was my favorite new restaurant. The food was terrific, the atmosphere was vibrant, the music was a bit overbearing but I loved the place. Their biscuits are to die for, better than Sarabeth’s. And the homemade jams were great. I mostly went for dinner.
It was always crowded, always had a line out the door. But slowly it started to loose ground to all the other places the owner is trying to juggle and open.
I sincerely hope they get their mojo back.
BTW the French toast biscuits are to die for at breakfast.
I wish them and their new neighborhood all the best.
I worked for Sarabeth for a few months, when it was still a small business. She was the prototype for Martha Stewart, not nice at all.
There’s was also a time when the City Of New York Department Health was on the take 🤑
They still are.
This is not one of those cases.
So glad this noisy filth with biscuits and fried garbage food is moving in right next door. At least it’s not my building.
Lol!
The previous Health Department rating was C?!
I live on 95th and between the disappointment of Agave and the fact that I will NEVER get over the loss of Gabriela’s, I hope Jacob’s Pickles can bring back some magic to this spot.
Gabriela’s food was mediocre. Cilantro is where it’s at!! 🙂
Um Cilantro is also mediocre.
Patronize diners. The one at 95th and Broadway does a great job.
Gabriela’s…sigh. I remember when they were on Amsterdam around 76th. Aside from the food, their wait staff was the best trained and pleasant in the city (or maybe it was the margarita…). In any case, I miss Gabriella’s.
I once ordered Mac and cheese and there was a tiny gem in it, (possibly) from someone’s manicure. I was told I would be refunded and to this day (1 year 3 months to be exact), I’m still waiting for that refund.
Maison Pickle > Jacob’s Pickle
I have a major bias against Jacob’s Pickle because between their extensive outdoor seating (they have taken the space outside that park which does not belong to them) and tons of people hanging out outside, it completely blocks the sidewalk. Not cool.
I’ll be glad to see them go. Don’t like the fact that they’ve taken over half the block with outdoor tables. Maybe they’re moving because the owner realized that the location is not suitable for a restaurant, so instead he’s going to change it into a bar. But there are already two bars on that block right next door, so there will be three bars. We really don’t need that in our neighborhood.
It’s the same owners right? Maison Pickle only got a B on their last inspection:
Quote:
1) Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment’s food or non-food areas.
2) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
3) Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
4) Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
5) Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
Definitely curious to see what ends up going into JP’s space when they leave (to a suitably large space that makes so much more sense for them).
And yes, MP is the bomb.
Who would want to eat at a bomb?
Yes, how are they allowed to take over that space in front of the park. Do they pay the city for that space? They should.
I often cross the street to avoid that block.
It’s not right
Same with Fairway..they have the Entire side walk PLUS now 3 lanes in the street..it’s insane
This! Why does the city allow them to claim 3 lanes of traffic on Broadway??
Food was gross & greasy & got sick a few months ago shortly after eating there. Perhaps some folks like that style of cooking & loud atmosphere. Hope they do dramatically better in new location
I’ve been going to JP since shortly after they opened and have mostly enjoyed the food and space. During the past few years though, some of the dishes have a funny, old grease taste and smell. In one occasion I got sick from a salad and one of their wines on tap had a funny pickly smell to it. I have stopped going in the past year but I’m looking forward to their opening if the new space on Columbus.
Don’t you people get it on how many times this place was closed by the city health department because of rats and roaches!
People keep on coming back to eat here, it’s disgusting!!!!🤮
I am so sorry to hear about this. Jacob will absolutely do his very best to rectify whatever needs to be done. His restaurants have always been true gems for our neighborhood and he authentically cares about his customers.
Yes, given the long list of health violations, each disgusting in their own right, the original “explanation” – “Due to an issue uncovered by the Department of Health — referencing damaged areas of facilities”, truly shows how much they care about their customers…
The fact that he hid his former rating and was cited for not posting the required sign with the rating leads me to have little faith in Jacob.
PR girlies in da house!
It really should be good, and it was once, but they started to believe their own press and it went downhill from there. Need to get back to the basics. Hospitality and good food, it’s a simple formula.
THANK YOU GOD
“The safety of our guests and staff is always our top priority…” Oh, that’s very clear indeed: live rats and roaches, faulty sewage disposal system, etc. What a crock!
The Health Department has put a large yellow sticker on the door of Jacobs Pickles saying the place has been closed. No details are provided. The owner of the restaurant has put his own note beneath the sticker that is false. It says that the reason for the closure has to do with structural issues that may make the restaurant not entirely safe. But the restaurant was actually closed because of rats and roaches. I don’t know if the Health Department can order the restaurant to remove this false note. If they can’t, reinspections and reopening should be done with very great slowness.
Disgusting! Really sad to see this and to know that Pickle’s management knowingly continued to operate with similar health violations since December. And did’t post their rating as required likely due to their failure. Their ‘community letter’ while dear and candid, did nothing to win back our trust that their establishments will do everything in the way of cleanliness to keep us safe when dining. Very sad!
Tiki Bar next door is owned by Jacob’s Pickles. DO THEY SHARE A KITCHEN? I would imagine so, and hope DOH took action regarding that establishment as well.
I have a bit of bias against Jacob’s Pickles. After seeing so many people waiting in lines for brunch and all the hype, I finally went there with a friend for dinner one evening. The food was extremely overrated. I thought it was greasy, tasted bland, looked gross and the portion size would lead to unnecessarily a waste of food. On the portion size part, they told me it’s just how they market and sell themselves. The atmosphere may be vibrant with lots of people but gosh, I really couldn’t wrap my mind around why all the positive hype over such awful food.
My guess is they’re mailing it in at this soon-to-be-closed location and focusing on the new spot.
Sad to see this – I used to love the place circa 2012 when it had recently opened and was really good … also a little sad to realise that was 13 years ago 😳 !
Good business but not a good neighbor. one late summer afternoon a few years ago, my 5yr old daughter was hot and exhausted. the place was mostly empty as happy hour hadn’t started. we asked to sit down outside (covid was still a thing) for a quick lemonade. they refused saying we had to order food. all we wanted was to sit for 20 minutes so a 5yr old could recover from a 100 degree day. i’ll never go there willingly.
Ugh. One of the worst meals I’ve ever had was at Jacob’s Pickles. Soggy mushy fish in tacos, with pasty biscuits and butter that tasted like an abandoned refrigerator. Now they’re moving to my neighborhood, and in one of its best spaces no less. Yuck.
The decline of JP is honestly heartbreaking. Used to be a special place for the neighborhood. Once they started expanding too fast they lost what made it special. And yes, I have seen rats and roaches in ther.
Uh…Weren’t they planning to move to a new location anyway? What ever happened with that?
Suggest everyone uses IWasPoisoned.Com
This is a great site listing bad restaurants.
This deserves its own story, not just an update, because they failed inspection by A LOT and they lied when they tried to blame it on the old building they’re located in. The whole thing is pretty disgusting.
I guess if Barzini’s is back up and running after all their violations, anything is possible…But I don’t shop at Barzini’s and I won’t eat at Jacob’s Pickles!
“La Dinastia Latin-Chinese Cuisine” on 72nd St was also closed by DOH with 50 violation points on June 3rd:
https://a816-health.nyc.gov/ABCEatsRestaurants/#!/Search/50032768
I’ve lived across the street since this place opened in 2012. Like most new spots, it was fun at first—but over time, I just don’t see the appeal. The portion sizes are ridiculously oversized, and the menu hasn’t changed once. It’s loud inside, the service is consistently poor, and the outdoor area feels neglected—dirty, worn out, and uncomfortable.
The most shocking part? They received a “C” health rating and didn’t even bother to post it. That alone speaks volumes about Jacob and how this place is run. Feels like a total scam.
Too bad. Although I’ve only eaten there once, because frankly everything is full of fat and sodium and of course much of it is just not conducive to healthy eating. But that is, basically, what comfort food means.
Now we find out it was also full of creepy crawly stuff.
The reason I feel badly is because they just bought half the block on Columbus between 93rd and 94th, and we really need some restaurants in that area.
Also unfortunately, the juvenile Leftists’ comments from folks that, no matter what the problems are on the UWS, it’s a Trump’s, or MAGA’s, or Republicans’ fault. Meanwhile, how much are you paying for eggs today? How’s that woman down the street that was slashed in the subway doing in your precious blue city?
Agreed with you on how terrible the food is but I don’t agree that comfort food is equivalent to food that is unhealthy, gross-looking and tasteless in this case.
Sewage disposal? Is that a reference to the food, or were there no toilets?
I like this restaurant (their portions are TOO generous!) and am really shocked to read this. I hope they can get their act together before they depart for the 90’s.
The owner better figure out how to keep birds from pooping on those giant globe lights hanging outside the new restaurant site. That’s a nonstarter for me. Yuck.