CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Pickaway County Public Health issued an involuntary closure order to Huey Magoo’s in Circleville on August 20, 2026, after health inspectors discovered severe plumbing failures, including wastewater backing up into the kitchen and an active sewage odor.
Pickaway County health department website was down that contributed to the late notice to this report.
The emergency inspection at the 23601 U.S. Route 23 South location was triggered by a complaint and consultation initiated by Ohio Department of Agriculture Food Safety Specialist Jennifer Noland, who reported wastewater backing up into the kitchen near the three-bay sink.
During the site visit, public health officials observed standing wastewater in facility corners where shelving had been moved, active sewage backflow onto the kitchen floor, and a pronounced sewage odor. Inspectors noted that food products were exposed to potential contamination and were actively being served to customers while the hazard was present.
The inspection yielded two critical violations of Ohio food safety standards:
- 3717-1-05.1(S) Plumbing System Maintenance: Failure to properly maintain the facility’s plumbing system in good repair, leading to standing wastewater and sewage odors.
- 3717-1-05.3(C) Backflow Prevention: Failure to prevent the backflow of wastewater onto the floor through adequate backflow prevention devices.
According to health department reports, the Environmental Health Director informed management on-site of the immediate public health hazard and advised that the restaurant needed to shut down operations immediately. After an undisclosed party indicated the owner refused to close voluntarily, the Health Commissioner issued an official involuntary closure order.
Health officials warned that continuing to operate under the involuntary order would result in further legal action by the Pickaway County Board of Health. Public health representatives also attempted to contact franchise owner Sean Cahill, leaving a voicemail regarding the immediate shutdown.
The inspection was conducted by PCPH personnel alongside representatives H. Montgomery, J. Noland, and C. Talbott. Pickaway County Public Health stated it will perform follow-up inspections before the facility can be cleared to reopen.
After several days of closure the resturant reopened and has been serving food after another inpection from the food department.
