Flies Closes North Side Dunkin' Donuts

A Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin-Robbins in the North Side Uptown neighborhood was closed down Thursday after flying insects were discovered all over the restaurant, including on doughnuts and bagels.

Inspectors from Mayor Daley’s Dumpster Task Force checked out the restaurant at 5130 N. Broadway after receiving a tip that buzzing sounds could be heard inside, according to a release from the city Dept. of Streets & Sanitation.

When inspectors went inside, they found more than 180 flying insects “virtually everywhere,” the release said, including crawling on 25 batches of doughnuts and bagels, on the ceiling-mounted menu, in the food sales and storage areas, and in the women’s restroom.

“It was one of the worst fly infestations our inspectors have seen in a very long time,” according to Matt Smith, spokesman for Street & San’s Bureau of Rodent Control, which operates the task force.

"In the words of one inspector, things were completely out of control," he said.

The owners were cited for inadequate pest control and failure to protect food from cross-contamination, both critical violations, according to the release.

The restaurant will be allowed to reopen only after proving they have cleaned and pest-proofed the building, and improved cleaning and pest control programs, the release said.