Burt & Max’s temporarily closes after mystery illness ails staff

Burt & Max’s restaurant in Delray Beach remains closed after a mystery ailment began afflicting some kitchen workers, as state health and environmental officials and the restaurant try to determine the cause.

“We’ve ruled out a gas leak,” co-owner Burt Rapoport said Thursday. He said the restaurant, in the Delray Marketplace at 9089 W. Atlantic Ave., awaits test results for mold or airborne contaminants from the air conditioning system or other kitchen equipment.

The popular eatery was shuttered Wednesday, Rapoport said, after “six to eight” employees in the prep area of the kitchen developed skin rashes, eye irritation, sore throats and breathing problems earlier in the week.

“At first we thought it might be a virus,” Rapoport said.

He said no customers have complained or reported any health problems, and the restaurant closed in an abundance of caution for workers and patrons.

Rapoport said the restaurant, which serves 1,000 meals daily during the peak holiday season, will likely remain closed Friday. He said he hopes it will be able to reopen New Year’s Eve, for which it is fully booked. While the restaurant is closed, many of its 110 employees will lose tips and wages.

One worker, a sous chef with asthma, took himself to an emergency room for evaluation after experiencing a rash and breathing problems, Rapoport said. The worker was discharged without being admitted, Rapoport said. Others are being treated with prescription steroid creams.

“Nothing like this has ever happened at one of my restaurants before,” said Rapoport, a veteran South Florida restaurateur who has owned more than 30 eateries. He said Burt & Max’s was built “from the ground up” in 2012, and meets all current code and environmental regulations.