Health Department posts consumer alert on popular downtown lunch spot

PITTSBURGH — A consumer alert was posted at a downtown restaurant for several alleged problems, including sewage problems and food temperature violations, according to the Allegheny County Health Department.

The owner of Courthouse Tavern on Fourth Avenue, Mark Depante, told Channel 11's Renee Kaminski that he's working to fix the sewage backup in the basement dry storage area and the walk-in refrigerator. He's also fixing the food temperature violations in the kitchen.

“I completely understand (the concern),” Depante said.

On a recent visit to the popular lunch spot, officials with the Health Department reported “inadequate sewage disposal and raw sewage in a back corner near the ice machine.”

Depante was given until May 4 to fix the problems.

According to Depante, a faulty drain caused the problem and it’s being repaired.

“All of the necessary precautions have been taken care of. We covered everything and whatever we needed to move, we moved out of the way. Everything is totally safe,” Depante said.

WPXI