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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.
Wycallis Elementary School, Conyngham Avenue, Dallas: regular inspection, in compliance.
Valley Mart No. 6, 240 S. River St., Plains: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: All prepackaged grab-and-go sandwiches are not labeled properly with the full ingredient statement.
Chester Street Elementary School, 110 Chester St., Kingston: regular inspection, in compliance.
Crestwood High School, 281 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top: regular inspection, in compliance.
Dunkin Donuts, 28 N. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top: regular inspection, in compliance.
Hazleton Area Academy of Science, 40 Azalea Drive, Drums: regular inspection, in compliance.
Hickory Court Cafe, Penn State Campus, Lehman: regular inspection, in compliance. Violation: Receiving door located in the kitchen area 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. Observed a stored baking pan, in the prep area, with dried food residue on a non-food contact surface. The pan was washed and sanitized during this inspection.
Lithuanian Social & Beneficial Club, 7 Butler St., Pittston: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed a build-up of residues on the bottom of the chest beer cooler. Observed a build-up of residue on the sides of the shelves in the reach-in beer cooler.
Mannings Ice Cream, 409 N. Main Ave., Scranton: regular inspection, in compliance.
Maranjo’s Pizza, 295 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming: opening inspection, in compliance.
Mountain Top Active Adult Center, 460 S. Main Rd., Mountain Top: regular inspection, in compliance.
New Yong Hao Buffet, 252 Susquehanna Blvd., Hazleton: complaint inspection, in compliance.
Shalimar, 371 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Floor tiles are cracked/broken in bar area and in food prep area. One bottle of vermouth in bar well has small insects in product. Product was voluntarily disposed. Wire shelving in refrigeration units is rusting. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Two-basin sink has build-up of grime in seams.
Stephanie’s Tavern, 80 S. Main St., Pittston: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: The food facility does not maintain Food Employee Certification records as required. Observed cases of snack-food items stored directly on the floor in the bar area. Cases were moved off the floor during inspection. Observed a build-up of mold-like residue on the interior of the ice machine. Machine was shut off and will be cleaned and sanitized prior to use.
Valley Mart No. 2, 95 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top: regular inspection, in compliance.
Wyoming Valley West Middle School, 201 Chester St., Kingston: regular inspection, in compliance.
Battered Mug, 178 S. Pine St., Hazleton: regular inspection, out of compliance. Observed cooking equipment in kitchen area, with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, grease and debris on non-food contact surfaces. Bar sink basins in bar have build-up of grime/mineral deposits. Sinks are not being cleaned daily to eliminate build-up. Person(s) in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible. In-use cutting board on bain marie, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Interior surfaces of in-use microwaves, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Entire food prep area is in need of a thorough cleaning. Food prepared in the facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the refrigeration units, is not being date-marked.
Beech Mtn. Tavern, 1 Burke Drive, Drums: regular inspection, in compliance: Violation: Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil.
C&P Convenient Mart, 118 E. Chestnut St., Hazleton: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Ceiling above retail food display in retail area is exhibiting an approximate 2-foot-by -3-foot hole. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible.
Family Dollar No. 27975, 1068 Wyoming Ave., Exeter: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed a build-up of residue on the edges of the shelves and on the product pusher in the reach-in coolers. Five dented canned items observed in grocery area and intended for sale. Items were removed from sale.
Good Shepherd Academy, 316 N. Maple Ave., Kingston: regular inspection, in compliance.
Holy Family Academy, 601 N. Laurel St., Hazleton: regular inspection, in compliance.
J&J Fish & Meat Market, 117 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed food stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler area, rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. Floor covering deteriorated in retail and food prep areas. Lights are not shielded or shatter-proof over the fish display area. Ambient air and water temperature measuring device for ensuring proper food storage in dairy case equipment in retail area is not accurate to +/- 3° F.
New York Fried Chicken, 2 E. Diamond Ave., Hazleton: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Lights are not shielded or shatter-proof over the food prep area. Surface coating on wire rack in walk-in cooler is deteriorated/rusting. Rack removed and cleaning commenced during inspection.
Ocoa Grocery, 568 Alter St., Hazleton: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: One quart of whole milk offered for retail sale is showing expired sell by date. Product disposed. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible. Three basin sink has build-up of grime in basins.
P&R Discounts, Gateway Shopping Center Unit 29, Kingston: complaint inspection, in compliance.
Sho Gun, 1073 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed a build-up of rust on shelving in the walk-in cooler. Observed glass cracked and missing on the door on the sushi refrigeration unit. Observed pitcher of liquid in the prep area not labeled with the common name. Observed vacuum-packed tuna not being removed from package prior to thawing in the walk-in cooler. Discussed proper thawing of product as directed on the packaging. Food utensils in kitchen area observed stored in a container of water which is not maintained at 135 °F. Spoon was removed from water.
State Street Elementary, East State Street, Larksville: regular inspection, in compliance.
The Woodlands, 1073 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre. Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Eggs held at 118 °F and potatoes at 78° F, in the buffet area, rather than 135 °F or above as required. Foods were discarded. Observed coating peeling on the equipment storage shelves. Deteriorating rubber door gaskets observed on the bain marie in the pizza area. Observed a build-up of rust on the shelves in the walk-in freezer. Bulk food ingredient storage containers, in the kitchen area, are not labeled with the common name of the food. Observed deeply scoured cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Mechanical warewashing equipment had a mineral buildup observed inside. Prepackaged slices of cakes not labeled properly with the ingredient statement. Observed a build-up of food residue around the hinges and top edges of the bain maries. Observed a build-up of residue in the soda gun holster in Evolution. Observed a build-up of residue in the three-bay sink in Evolution. Observed a build-up of syrup residue in a soda gun in the Executive Lounge. Soda gun was cleaned.
Tomasinos Original Italian Pizza, 54 Dallas Shopping Center, Dallas: complaint inspection, in compliance.
V & J’s Hideaway Inc., 29 Abbott St., Plains: follow-up inspection, in compliance. Violation: Observed a build-up of rust on the shelves in the reach-in beer cooler.
Wyoming Valley West High School, 150 Wadham St., Plymouth: regular inspection, in compliance.
China Gourmet, 215 Main St., Dupont: follow-up inspection, in compliance.
Dollar General 12900, 677 Kidder St., Wilkes-Barre: type-2 follow-up inspection, in compliance.
Gerrity’s Market, 801 Wyoming Ave., West Pittston: regular inspection, out of compliance. Consumer self-service bulk candy area does not have adequate scoops for all bins. Observed a build-up of dust on the fan guard in the chef’s walk-in cooler. Observed a build-up of dust on the storage shelves in the bakery area. Observed flour and sugar spillage on the shelves in the grocery area. Observed a build-up of debris and dust in the vent areas of multiple refrigeration units. Observed single-service, single-use articles stored in bakery areas directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor. Observed fraying belt on the Kaiser roll machine in the bakery area. The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Observed case of cheese stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler, rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. Case was moved off the floor during inspection. Prepackaged bags of raw pizza dough are not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, net weight, distributed by statement and/or nutritional facts. Observed a build-up of food residue and rust on the shelves in the deli walk-in cooler. Observed a build-up of food residue on the shelves in the walk-in bakery cooler. Shelves were cleaned. The handwash sink in the bakery area was blocked by baskets of linens and not accessible at all times for employee use. Items were removed from area. Observed a build-up of residue and debris along the walls and under shelving and equipment in multiple areas of the facility. Observed a build-up of residue and debris in the floor drain in the deli area. Observed an accumulation of debris under shelving in multiple walk-in refrigeration units.
Lake Lehman SHS, Old Route 315, Lehman: regular inspection, in compliance.
Lehman-Jackson Elementary School, Market Street, Lehman: regular inspection, in compliance.
Nello’s Pizza, 2238 Wilkes-Barre Township Market Place, Wilkes-Barre: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Observed rust forming on the metal shelves in the walk-in cooler.
New Great Wall II, 19 N. River St., Plains: change of owner inspection, in compliance. Violations: Interior surface of chest freezer is cracked and repaired with duct tape which is not acceptable. Observed peeling plastic on the interior top surface in one rice cooker. Observed prep table to be deteriorating and in need of repair or replacement. In-use food ingredient containers not labeled with the name of the contents. Not enough drain plugs available for the manual warewash sinks. Observed a build-up of old food residue on the non-food contact areas of the deli slicer. Observed single-service, single-use articles stored in storage room directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor.
Shickshinny Senior Center, 19 W. Vine St., Shickshinny: regular inspection, in compliance.
Wyoming Mart, 901 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming: regular inspection, in compliance. Violation: Three pints of Nestle’s chocolate low-fat milk was offered for sale past expired sell by date of 12/17/17, one pint of chocolate milk was offered for retail sale past expired sell by date of 12/31/17. The milk was pulled from the shelf during this inspection.
Applebees, 253 Wilkes-Barre Township Blvd., Wilkes-Barre: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed peeling coating and rust forming on the shelves in multiple refrigeration units. Observed top plastic cover on the interior of the microwave to be missing. Observed single-service, single-use articles stored in storage shed area directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor. Observed a build-up of food residue on the underside of the shelves in the walk-in cooler. Observed clean food pans stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).
Carmen’s Country Inn, 324 Freedom Rd., Drums: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible. Top exterior of dishwasher has build-up of grime above door openings.
Dallas Elementary School, 2000 Conyngham Ave., Dallas: regular inspection, in compliance. Violation: No sign or poster posted at the hand wash sink in the service line/prep area to remind food employees to wash their hands. A sign was posted during this inspection.
Dallas MS, Conyngham Avenue, Dallas: regular inspection, in compliance.
Dallas Senior High School, 2030 Conyngham Ave., Dallas: regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: The hand wash sinks located in the prep and service area does not have water at a temperature of at least 100°F. Water temperatures tested at 65° to 75° F. Not all lights are shielded or shatter-proof in the french fry and hamburger hot hold units located in the service area.
Swoyersville Six Packs to Go LLC/ US Main Street Convenience Inc., 1097 Main St., Swoyersville: complaint inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper beard covers. Pizza on the prep/service counter stored open (for sale by the slice to be reheated by staff) with no covering. The pizza was placed in a grab-and-go hot hold unit. The person in charge stated they have ordered a pizza Hot hold unit and awaiting its arrival. This unit was described as an enclosed unit that will have a timer to notify staff when to discard pizza. Time in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready to eat potentially hazardous foods (pizza) without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food. In an interview with staff, the person in charge stated the pizza is frozen, heated to proper temperature and then set out to reheat by the slice. Facility to document in the future the time the pizza is put out with the 4-hour discard time, and the time and amount discarded.