Salt Bae no longer salting with bare hands amid concerns over NYC health violations

Less than two weeks after the Manhattan location of his Nusr-et Steakhouse opened to unfavorable reviews, Eater NY rubbed a little more salt into Salt Bae’s wounds by pointing out that he may have been violating NYC's health codes by handling his salts bare-handed.

Citing an article in the New York City Health Code, Eater noted that Gökçe’s signature act of salting the meat bare-handed — without wearing gloves — might be in violation of clause 81.07, which stipulates that workers must be using utensils of “sufficient length to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat potentially hazardous food.”

Gökçe’s New York City restaurant opened on Jan. 18, though subsequent reviews were less-than-complimentary, and not because of Gökçe’s salt-based antics. Steve Cuozzo of the New York Post deemed the place a “rip-off” after he and two friends racked up a bill totaling $521, even though they each only had two drinks with dinner. Joshua David Stein of GQ added that the steak he ordered was “mundane,” “tough” and “bland,” but that it “does not matter” simply because the experience is what guests are likely paying for.

Despite this, reviewers on Yelp have so far awarded NYC’s Nusr-et Steakhouse with three-and-a-half out of five stars.