PORTLAND, Maine — The city has closed down a popular restaurant and two other waterfront businesses in Portland after a restaurant inspector found evidence of a “serious rat infestation.”
The Porthole restaurant, Comedy Connection and the Harbour’s Edge banquet hall all were shut down on Thursday because of repeated health violations. All are located on Custom House Wharf.
The Portland Press Herald says the Porthole’s owner could not be reached for comment.
The Porthole was recently featured on the Food Network’s “Diner, Drive-ins and Dives” program. A sign out front Friday said the eatery was closed because of “water issues.”
“because of repeated health violations.” Nice, keeping these restaurants names in mind to avoid.
What is needed are feral cats running around the city. Restaurants could/should provide places for them to sleep and food so they stay around.
Cats will kill rats whether they’re hungry or not. Cats, especially females (the real hunters), hate rats; rats kill and eat kittens.
Waterfronts and fishing boats are natural places for rats to congregate and reproduce; this is not news
Poison will not get rid of them; that only puts poison into the waters and wherever they die. Rats are smart enough so that they learn to avoid poisons. Traps, too. They’ll even gnaw off one of their feet to get out of a trap (yes, this happened to one I caught).
Here in Jonesport a number of feral cats have the run of the waterfront and town. Some people feed them outdoors and let them sleep in lined boxes in garages or barns. There are no rats around here, even right next to the very busy bait and lobster dealers right on the water.
Repeat, no rats. Nor mice. If they venture around here, they don’t last long. Cats earn their keep around the water………this is a real solution.
I like your comment….waterfront breeds and we all must agree to some natural order of things….nature rules….and sanitary conditions also must rule , of course…..but , keep the rats out of my lobster roll and I will agree to lend you my mini dachshund who can indeed kill any rodent within one blink of an EYE……referrances on the dog upon request…..but go easier upon the licenses of the restauranteurs……they are trying , trying hard to meet your impossible conditions…why do you not close all of the resorts and recreational respites you @#$%^&*()_#!@#$%^&*()_#$%^&*()_$%^&*() yes I said it…..big move , crying like big city babies…….
while you are avoiding the restaurants, sir, you may wish to avoid all door knobs, light switches and keyboards plus bathrooms and bus stations also grocery stores and doctors offices and emergency room as they have the potential for high rates of viruses which may serve to undermine your state of health…..just thinking here…..it probably would be a good idea if you were to juxtapose yourself in a protective bubble of saran wrap…after scrubbing in the shower with peroxide…..thanks….be safe…..xoxoxoox….
once a RAT always a RAT
I thought all the rats were in Augusta at the Statehouse Doyou Inn! As to these fine establishments, which was it on the Food network? Diner or Dive?
Actually they are in Augusta and Washington DC.
i see a name change to the rathole!
the porthole qualifies for the latter dives eaqual time for all
I guess it was in the dive category.
Finally I have a reason for not watching The Food Network.
I have a question. Why was one of these places finally closed after repeated health code violations? This sounds like one of the reasons we have health codes in place.
Who wants the property?
This problem may not be limited to that particular restaurant. There are reports of increased rat sightings in the West End, and they are probably on the increase throughout the waterfront area, possibly because of increased construction activity. -The West End NEWS
A friend of mine bought a store once and ripped down the ceilings and walls, in it he found over 2 tons of Rat poop.. So there is no cleanning this mess up short of a total gutting out.
Must be a Republican Convention, responding to the Open For Business Sign!
Rats are everyplace on earth that humans are. Rats live on the garbage that humans leave around. The more humans in a place, the more rats. It was the rats, and the fleas that lived on the rats, that spread the “black plague” throughout Europe, some centuries ago.
Anyplace there is food around, particulary if it is on a wharf or near the waterfront needs a very active rat control program to keep the rodents population down. Looks like these guys were asleep at the switch so to speak.
If one goes down to the bottom of Munjoy Hill on the Eastern Promenade(excuse me if it is the west promenade) but I remember seeing rats, like hundreds of them swimming about 30-100 yards off shore as guys were setting up the parasails. Little heads bopping up and down and I am like what is that? Freind says, “rats”…After that I kept noticing them, for years…
I haven’t seen a rat in years. It’s good to know where they all went.
The humble Farmer
Try Augusta.
YOu need to watch more TV. I believe they are called politicians. DC is full of rats.
Always knew that Portland was infested with rats “from away”!
Release the Felines!
Portland has been crawling with rats for centuries. I saw a huge pregnant one waddling down Congress Street one morning , drawing gasps and astonished stares from pedestrians. It looked like a small raccoon.
Thats No Rat,
thats my ex -wife!
Here is the inspection report for the Porthole. Alot more than rats!
http://media.kjonline.com/documents/porthole_resto_inspection_report.pdf
Well, at least they waited for the end of tourist season before shutting them down.
Ratatouille…yum. Seriously though, I have been in the back of the house at many restaurants and sometimes what you see is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach…
We are taking their “easy to get” food supply away from them. With the closing of disposal area’s and the separation of storm water and sewer lines, the lack of finding food is going to drive them back to the city. As for the thousands or probably millions that have been living in the sewers, well…..guess where they are moving to ?? Like ‘The Jefferson’s’ theme song said: ♪♪♪Moving♪♪♪ on♪♪♪ up♪♪♪…….
I’m not surprised that this happened…
the comedy connection is back open tonight for a show!!
Rat Burgers with extra droppings are tasty!!!! NASTY….
welfare rat infestation?