Health inspectors shut down an American Deli in South DeKalb Mall after a viral video showed rats scurrying inside the restaurant.
The DeKalb County Board of Health said the restaurant’s permit was suspended Friday due to evidence of a several rat and mouse infestation. The county inspected the American Deli within an hour of being notified of the viral video, which amassed more than 100,000 views on Twitter.
The video shows multiple rats on shelves behind the restaurant’s counter. Channel 2 Action News reported that the DeKalb County Board of Health was notified by the Georgia Department of Health about the video Friday morning, leading to the impromptu inspection.
While they didn’t find any rats, they did find fresh droppings. In a Facebook post explaining the situation, the board of health said rodents usually emerge during evening and nighttime hours.
American Deli’s management agreed to close the restaurant this past weekend to clean and sanitize the facility, according to the board of health. But on Monday, health inspectors said the restaurant could not re-open and decided to check nearby restaurants as well.
The shuttered Benzino’s Crab Trap also had evidence of a severe infestation, but it is out of business. Mandarin Express and Nashville Bird did not have any evidence of rodents, and both remain open, the board of health said.
American Deli will remain closed until they can remediate the infestation. South DeKalb Mall management was notified of the situation.
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