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The following are recent Luzerne County restaurant inspection reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. According to the agency: “any inspection is a ‘snapshot’ of the day and time of the inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term cleanliness of an establishment. Also, at the time of the inspection, violations are recorded but are often corrected on site prior to the inspector leaving the establishment.” The information is taken from the inspection database at www.eatsafepa.com. Postal addresses used here are as listed on the state’s website, and may not correspond to the municipalities in which facilities are physically located.
American Legion Post #673, 121 N. Main St., Ashley: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Dugan’s Pub, 385 S. Main St., Luzerne: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed a build up of a yeast-like substance on the fan guard, walls and ceiling surfaces of the walk-in keg cooler located in the basement. The receiving door for kegs located at at the top of the basement stairs of the food facility has a gap at the floor door junction (with visible light) and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.
Hanover Area Junior Senior High School, 1600 San Souci Pkwy., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Stem thermometer observed stored in a container of sanitizer. Thermometers were removed from container. Observed a build up of food residue in the drain spout on the kettles. Spouts were cleaned.
Royal House Buffet, 29 Wyoming Valley Mall #308, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: An open employee’s beverage container was observed in prep area, a food preparation area. Shellstock located in the walk in cooler did not have identification tags attached to the container. Multiple in use food ingredient storage containers in the prep area not labeled with the common name of the food. Frozen shellstock observed thawing at room temperature on the prep table, which is not an approved thawing method. Shellstock was placed in cooler to thaw. Observed a build up of grease on the hoods above the cooking area.
Sirak’s Smokehouse – Retail Store, 3878 Main Road, Hunlock Creek: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food facility is using an approved non-public water system, but does not have current laboratory testing results for water potability. The facility does not have a current water test result for Nitrate/ Nitrites. The last result is dated 11/1/2016 and both were <0.20 mg/l per telephone conversation with DEP during this inspection. PIC sated that they will take the sample to Kirby Heath on 11/9/17.
BPOE Lodge #109, 39 Evans St., Pringle: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Dollar General #19268, 274 Westside Mall, Edwardsville: Follow-up inspection, in compliance.
Flaherty’s Eating and Drinking Establishment, 275 Zerby Ave., Kingston: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Fratello’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen, 450 3rd St., Nescopeck: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Golden Cue, 967 N. Locust St., Hazleton: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low temperature sanitizing dishwasher was 0 ppm, and not 50-100 ppm as required. Bottle changed, now producing 50 ppm.
Majestic Lunch, 20 S. Main St., Pittston: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Observed metal shelves rusting in the 2-door refrigeration unit in the kitchen area. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available in all refrigeration equipment.
Midway Beverage, 1016 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Montgomery Avenue Elementary, 100 Montgomery Ave., West Pittston: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Facility does not have available temperature measuring device to ensure proper sanitizing temperature in the mechanical dishwasher. Interior top surface of the microwave is deteriorating and in need repair or replacement.
Sho Gun, 1073 Hwy. 315, Wilkes-Barre: Compliance inspection, in compliance. Violations: A food employee was observed touching wasabi paste — a ready to eat food — with bare hands. Discussed proper use of gloves.
The Bread Store, 200 N. Broad St., West Hazleton: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Wyoming Area Secondary Center, 20 Memorial St., Exeter: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed a build of residues in the floor drains under the kettles. Observed a build up of food residue in the drain spout on both kettles. Observed a build up of food residue on the bottom shelf in the walk in cooler. Shelf was cleaned. Observed a build up of old food residue on the post can opener blade. Observed a build up of slimy residue on the edge of the deflector plate in the ice machine. Ice machine was cleaned. Observed flaking paint on the ceiling in the dry storage room. Observed a build up of webbing and dust under the shelves in the dry storage and equipment storage area.
American Legion Post #967, Route RR3 Box 3009, Harveys Lake: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low temperature sanitizing glass washer was < 10 ppm, and not 50-100 ppm as required. A new bottle of sanitizer was placed and the sanitizer was then 50 ppm.
Burger King #17397, 2000 Barletta Road, Hazle Township: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in food prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil.
Curry Donut #14, 3505 Memorial Hwy., Dallas: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Dino’s Italian Bistro, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre: Follow-up inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Hat was provided. Observed coating peeling and rust forming on the shelves in the walk in cooler. Observed a build up of dust on the ceiling around the vents in the walk in cooler.
Evans Roadhouse, 330 N. Hunter Hwy., Drums: Regular inspection, out of compliance. Violations: Person(s) in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. Food employees observed in food prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Waitress observed handling ready-to-eat food with bare hands. Soup and gravy in steam table are 92*f product center. Employee states product was put in unit cold and not re-heated to 165*f prior to placement in unit. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible. Low temperature, chemical sanitizing bar glass washer is showing <10ppm residual chlorine in final rinse. All glasses to be sent thru main dish machine until unit is repaired. Unit was on and operational prior to running 3 cycles. Food facility is reusing gallon plastic containers to hold food which are intended to be a single-service or single-use article. Floor tiles in food prep area are deteriorated / broken / missing pieces of surface material. Floors underneath and beside equipment at cook line have build up grease, grime, spilled food residuals.
Hanover Green Elementary, 561 Main Road, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Junie G’s, 12 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violation: Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible.
Mama B’s Kitchen, 744 Jumper Road, Plains: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violation: Interior top surface of the microwave is deteriorating and in need of repair or replacement.
McDonald’s #05657, 251 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top: Regular inspection, out of compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in food prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Observed cleaned/sanitized rerun pails stored uncovered and on lower shelf in walk in cooler. Top exterior surfaces of dish machine have build up of grime/old food residuals. Cleaned/sanitized rerun pails stored in walk-in cooler have build up of old dairy residuals on food contact surfaces. Cleaned mixing pitchers and dispensing head at McCafe dispenser are not being cleaned or monitored to ensure food contact surfaces are clean to sight and touch as evidenced by food residuals in cleaned pitchers and dispensing head. Shelves used to store in use utensils are not clean to sight/touch. Non-food contact surfaces of in-use equipment not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Floors underneath equipment and along floor to wall junctions in food prep and storage areas have build up of grime/spilled food residuals. Several chemical sprayers are stored above active food prep surfaces and ice machine.
Memorial Elementary, 80 W. St. Marys Road, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
My Little Mexico, 200-202 Wilkes-Barre Blvd., Wilkes-Barre: Opening inspection, in compliance.
Pittston Six Packs to Go, 308 Route 315 Hwy., Pittston: Regular inspection, out of compliance. Violations: The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Observed 20+ novelty ice cream items intended for sale that are misshaped due to thawing and refreezing. Observed non food items stored on top of cases of beverages in the storage areas. Observed cases of beverages stored in the employee toilet rooms, a prohibited area for food storage. Observed personal use food items not clearly separated from for sale food items in one cooler. Observed a build up of black residue on the nozzle of one frozen drink machine. Customer self-service single-use tableware is not displayed in a manner so that only the handles are touched by customers. Observed 15 rodent-like droppings in the drawer under the self serve area. Observed 20 small flying insects in the employee restroom areas. Personal use medicines stored in food facility refrigerator not kept in separate, labeled and covered containers, inaccessible to children.
Pump & Pantry, 2375 SR 118, Hunlock Creek: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Fish and chicken sandwiches were held at 105°F, on the bottom shelf of the hot hold unit area, rather than 135°F or above as required. It was determined that the sandwiches were prepared and placed into the hold unit two hours earlier. It was also determined that the heat control knob had gotten moved. the control was adjusted. The sandwiches were reheated and placed back into hot hold unit. Other items were moved from the top shelf to the bottom shelf after the adjustment was made and they continued to hold temperature at 148°F at the end of the inspection. The water temperature of the wash compartment of the manual ware washing equipment was 104°F, rather than not less than 110°F, as required. The temperature setting was adjusted on the water heater and water temperature now 114°F.
R&S Convenience (U.S. Gas), 400 Market St., Kingston: Follow-up inspection, in compliance. Violation: Wall in the ware wash area has several holes in the drywall, and is in need of repair.
Uni-Mart, 340 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Wychock’s/ Mt. Top Beverage, 75 S. Mountain Road, Mountain Top: Regular inspection, in compliance.