A beloved Brantford eatery has abruptly ceased operations, shuttered due to serious public health concerns. The Mary Brown’s Chicken & Taters on Lynden Road was forced to close its doors Monday, following a damning inspection report.
Inspectors discovered critical deficiencies posing an “immediate health hazard.” Most alarmingly, the restaurant lacked consistent hot and cold running water – a fundamental requirement for safe food handling and utensil sanitation. This basic necessity was missing in areas where food was being prepared and processed.
Beyond the lack of running water, the restaurant’s refrigeration system failed to maintain safe temperatures for perishable foods. Inspectors explicitly warned against storing any potentially hazardous items until the unit was repaired and capable of consistently holding temperatures at or below 4°C (40°F).
Further compounding the issues, hand-washing stations in the food preparation area also lacked a reliable supply of both hot and cold water. The inspection also revealed deficiencies in the proper execution of manual dishwashing procedures – the essential wash, rinse, and sanitize technique was not being followed.
A formal closure order was issued, prominently displayed at the restaurant’s entrance, detailing the reasons for the shutdown. The notice serves as a stark warning to the public about the identified health risks.
For Brantford residents craving Mary Brown’s, the nearest alternative locations are now found in Ancaster, Cambridge, Hamilton, and Kitchener. The duration of the Brantford location’s closure remains uncertain, leaving many customers disappointed.
Attempts to reach both Grand Erie Public Health and Mary Brown’s for comment were unsuccessful. The silence adds to the mystery surrounding the severity of the situation and the timeline for corrective action.
