NYC health inspectors cite Justin Timberlake restaurant for mice

Justin Timberlake, whose Manhattan barbecue restaurant Southern Hospitality has been... — Justin Timberlake, whose Manhattan barbecue restaurant Southern Hospitality has been given a "grade pending" by NYC health inspectors, at the U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2009. Credit: Getty Images / Julian Finney

By FRANK LOVECE. Special to NewsdayAugust 10, 2015

Southern Hospitality, the Hell's Kitchen barbecue restaurant co-founded by singer-actor Justin Timberlake, has earned a "Grade Pending" from New York City restaurant inspectors.

According to the city's database, they found several health violations on July 14, including two marked critical: "evidence of mice or live mice present" and "food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use."

A "Grade Pending" means the restaurant, located at 645 Ninth Ave., received either a B or a C grade, and may post either the grade or a "Grade Pending" card in its window until an administrative tribunal hears its case.

The 19 violation points Southern Hospitality received are actually an improvement over the 23 the eatery got on June 29.

A representative for Timberlake could not be reached for comment Monday.