- Southern Hospitality went through a health inspection on July 14, 2015. (Actually a re-inspection from an earlier visit that resulted in a total of 23 violation points.)
- New York City health inspectors found "evidence of mice or live mice present in the facility's food and/or non-food areas," and said to have "harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist."
- Also, "food contact surface [was] not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred," and that there's a "non-food surface improperly constructed" and "unacceptable material used."
- The restaurant was deemed "critical" and given a "grade pending" mark (meaning it has a second chance to retain its A grade), and is still currently open for business
- In 2013, Southern Hospitality was downgraded to a B after an inspection
- In 2009, a former female employee filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the restaurant, claiming she was "bullied" and "degraded" by male colleagues, including owner Eytan Sugarman. The suit was settled out of court last year.
- And in 2008, the restaurant was sued by staff for allegedly not paying overtime and withholding tips
Source 1, 2, 3