Allentown Pizza Shop Butchers Deer (Mistakenly)

Ahh, late fall in Pennsylvania. Cold but beautiful weather. Not-quite-bare trees. Butchering deer carcasses in pizzerias.

Yes, a pizzeria in Allentown nearly got in trouble after a city health inspector saw a deer being butchered in the shop’s kitchen. Allentown spokesman Michael Moore (ha, ha) said a customer reported seeing the doe in the pizzeria’s kitchen.

The Morning Call reports that “the pizza shop’s manager said it was a huge misunderstanding.” Tell me about it! (Rimshot.)

Manager John Okumus said he shot several deer on the second day of hunting season, then wrapped a doe and left it in the back of the pizza shop for a friend to pick up. Like you do.

Apparently, one of the cooks started butchering the deer. Just all a big misunderstanding. I really enjoy Okumus’ quote, though:

“The health department did their job, a good job,” said Okumus, who was back at work today. “There are bad people out there. But, the deer was not to sell.”

There are bad people who… what? Want to sell deer pizza? How dare they hunt and then sell the food to others!

For those wondering what, exactly, was in violation of the law here, “according to the food facility inspection report, only food from an approved source is permitted in a food establishment.” You may hunt and kill as many deer as you possibly can, but by God you better not attempt to bring them into a restaurant kitchen.

Update: On a side note, do not feed pizza to deer (via Slice comments).

City says pizzeria butchered deer; manager claims misunderstanding [The Morning Call]
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