Middletown closes Steak ‘n Shake after hundreds of inspection violations

Middletown health officials have suspended the food license of a Middletown Steak ‘n Shake for two weeks because of repeated health code violations.

Jackie Philips, city health commissioner, said the notice to close was given about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday to the restaurant located at 3170 Towne Blvd.

There were few cars in the parking lot on Tuesday, and a customer went to the drive-thru only to find out the restaurant wasn’t open for business on Tuesday afternoon.

A sign on the door said the restaurant was “closed due to maintenance” and would reopen April 23.

An appeal hearing was held Tuesday morning. Between July 2017 and March 2019, there have been 21 inspections of the facility and a total of 296 violations, including 36 listed as critical and 260 violations listed as non-critical.

The suspension, which can be extended or altered by the Board of Health, runs until April 23 but will require written permission of the Board of Health to reopen and written notification that the suspension is lifted.

The person who answered the phone at the Middletown restaurant said “no comment” and hung up on this news outlet.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, Phillips said her department has not received a response from Steak ‘n Shake officials.

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