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.”
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.
AMIGON’S BAKERY — 379 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Most recent inspection: Feb. 27. Inspection Type: Regular. Violations: Observed drip pans under the stove top, with encrusted grease and soil accumulation. Corrected on site. Food observed thawing in standing water in a large pot, which is not an approved thawing method. Corrected on site. Not setting up the three-compartment sink correctly. Corrected on site. Compliance: In.
GREEN MINI MARKET — 1 E. Green St., West Hazleton. Most recent inspection: Feb. 27. Inspection Type: Regular. Violations: Commercially processed refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food (deli ham and salami), located in the deli case, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility, as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. The food facility does not employ a certified food employee as required. The deli slicer blade, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to the eye and touch. Two separate cutting boards located at the food prep area are soiled and observed to have old food residue on the surface and not clean to sight and touch. Non-food contact surfaces are not cleaned at a frequency to preclude the accumulation of old food debris and soil. Surfaces include: Walls and handles to refrigerators, freezers, and Bain Marie units, inside of Bain Marie lids and outer rims, shelving, and equipment for hanging utensils — all are visibly dirty and in need of cleaning. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the food prep area. Soap was found and placed by the sink. The handwash sink in the food prep area was being used as a food preparation sink, as evidenced by observed shredded lettuce/tomatoes in the sink. The handwash sink in the food prep area was blocked by cardboard boxes stacked in front of the sink and was not accessible at all times for employee use. Boxes were moved. Old food residue, dishes, and utensils were observed in the handwash sink, indicating uses other than handwashing. All utensils, equipment, and food debris were removed. Flooring throughout the entire kitchen area has a heavy accumulation of old dry food debris and needs to be cleaned more frequently. Compliance: Out.
LIGHTHOUSE ACADEMY LIU — 1001 Highway 315, Wilkes Barre. Most recent inspection: Feb. 27. Inspection Type: Regular. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
TAPAS ON THE BOULEVARD — 165 Wilkes-Barre Blvd., Wilkes-Barre. Most recent inspection: Feb. 27. Inspection type: Follow-up. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
WILKES-BARRE AREA CAREER & TECHNICAL CENTER — 350 Jumper Road, Wilkes-Barre. Most recent inspection: Feb. 27. Inspection Type: Regular. Violations: Loose rubber door gaskets observed on the standalone reach-in cooler in the pizza line (line c). Row of lights above the fruit and vegetable food service area observed missing shield or shatterproof cover. Compliance: In.
ARTURO’S RESTAURANT — 140 Main St., Dupont. Most recent inspection: Feb. 26. Inspection type: Complaint. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE @ MOHEGAN SUN — 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre. Most recent inspection: Feb. 26. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Observed food employee jackets and belongings on a tray directly above the food cooling on the cooling rack near the walk-in cooler entrance. Employee belongings were moved during this inspection. Using a probe thermometer, the internal temperature of an uncooked beef portioned and stored overnight in the reach-in cooler at the cookline on Feb. 25 was between 43°F and 46°F, rather than 41°F or below as required. Beef was voluntarily discarded during this inspection. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility, as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Observed the reach-in cooler at the cookline is insufficiently keeping foods 41°F or below as required. Compliance: Out.
THE CRAFTY STIR @ MOHEGAN SUN — 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre. Most recent inspection: Feb. 26. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Prepackaged grab-and-go deli hoagies and salads are not labeled with the facility name and contact information or allergen warning statement in the reach-in cooler. Reach-in cooler storing cheese and pre-cooked breakfast meats located below the toaster oven, observed at an ambient temperature of 50°F. Maintenance adjusted thermostat dial inside cooler, and temperature dropped to 36°F during inspection. Internal temperature of cheese slices and pre-cooked breakfast meat observed between 50°F and 53°F, in a reach-in cooler below the toaster oven, rather than 41°F or below as required. Food products were voluntarily discarded during inspection. Compliance: In.
BREWS BROTHERS — 1705 River Road, Pittston. Most recent inspection: Feb. 25. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Dust observed accumulating on the oven area exhaust fan, oven vent pipe on the chef’s line. Compliance: In.
LA COCINA DE LIZBETT — 319 W. 19th St., Hazleton. Most recent inspection: Feb. 25. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
LITZY’S LOUNGE — 614 York Ave., Avoca. Most recent inspection: Feb. 25. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
PITTSTON AREA HIGH SCHOOL — 5 Stout St., Yatesville. Most recent inspection: Feb. 25. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Observed approximately five dead cockroaches in sticky traps in and around the ware wash/dry storage area. Compliance: In.
PITTSTON AREA PRIMARY CENTER — 210 Rock St., Hughestown. Most recent inspection: Feb. 25. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
PITTSTON CONVENIENCE — 325 Laurel St., Pittston. Most recent inspection: Feb. 25. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Women’s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. Observed 7 quarts of 2% milk with an expiration date of 2/23/26 offered for sale. All expired milk products were disposed of during this inspection. Corrected on site. Compliance: In.
TOMATO BAR — 7 Tomato Fest Drive, Pittston. Most recent inspection: Feb. 25. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Observed a deeply scored cutting board not resurfaced or discarded as required on the Bain Marie cooler unit on the chefs’ line. Compliance: In.
VIANELA GROCERY STORE — 113 E. Diamond Ave., Hazleton. Most recent inspection: Feb. 25. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: The toilet rooms do not have a self-closing door. Compliance: In.
EL PANCHITO RESTAURANT — 34 W. 9th St., Hazleton. Most recent inspection: Feb. 24. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
FUENTE DE MANA FARMERS MARKET — 750 W. Broad St., Hazleton. Most recent inspection: Feb. 24. Inspection type: Emergency Response. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS — 152 S. Wyoming Ave., Kingston. Most recent inspection: Feb. 24. Inspection type: Opening. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
MARTIN MATTEI MIDDLE SCHOOL — 120 New St., Pittston. Most recent inspection: Feb. 24. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
MINERS MILLS TRIANGLE CLUB — 77 E. Main St., Wilkes Barre. Most recent inspection: Feb. 24. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
NORTH EAST SECURE TREATMENT UNIT — 701 Sathers Drive, Pittston. Most recent inspection: Inspection type: Regular. Violations: None. Compliance:
PITTSTON AREA INTERMEDIATE CENTER — 120 New St., Pittston. Most recent inspection: Feb. 24. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
SUKH CONCENANCE LLC (QUICK STOP TOBACCO) — 33 S. Wilkes-Barre Blvd., Wilkes-Barre. Most recent inspection: Feb. 24. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: None. Compliance: In.
UNCLE JOE’S PIZZA & SUBS — 320 Route 315, Pittston Twp. Most recent inspection: Feb. 24. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: No sign or poster was posted at the handwash sink in the food prep area to remind food employees to wash their hands. A hand-washing sign was provided and posted during this inspection. Corrected on site. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Working containers used for storing chemicals and cleaners taken from bulk supplies were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Chemical bottle was labeled during this inspection. Corrected on site. Compliance: In.
COMMON GROUNDS CAFE — 166 Union Kingston. Most recent inspection: Feb 23. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Scoop being stored in the ice storage container with the handle touching and/or buried beneath the ice. Compliance: In.
DOLLAR GENERAL-HAZLETON — 224 Hazle Township Blvd., Hazleton. Most recent inspection: Feb. 23. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Several boxes of cereal are damaged, busted, and partially exposed. Damaged product was removed from sales. Compliance: In.
DONNA’S DELI — 64 Maffett St., Plains Township. Most recent inspection: Feb. 23. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Eggs are served undercooked to the customer’s request; however, a written consumer advisory (on the menu, table tent, or placard) is not provided to the consumer. Discussed consumer advisory requirements for menu. Hood ventilation system above cooktop area observed with buildup of static dust and grease in need of more frequent cleaning. Air return vents above food counter and ceiling around fans, observed with buildup of static dust. Compliance: In.
LO TUYO MINI MARKET — 36 N. Broad St., West Hazleton. Most recent inspection: Feb. 23. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Lights are not shielded or shatterproof over the open and exposed vegetables/eggs in the grab-n-go cooler. Compliance: In.
LONG JOHN SILVERS # 70291 — 40 S. Wyoming Ave. Route 11, Edwardsville. Most recent inspection: Feb. 23. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Observed boxes of food stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Floor in the food preparation area not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of grease and old food particles. Compliance: In.
LUNA BELLA 2 RESTAURANT — 15 E. Carey St., Plains. Most recent inspection: Feb. 23. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Time in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready to eat potentially hazardous foods without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Refrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety deli meat prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, is not being date marked. Discussed date marking requirements. No drain plugs available for manual warewash sinks for proper warewashing. No sink or curbed drain available for proper removal of wastewater. Facility shall not use hand or warewash sinks for waste/mop water disposal. New hand sink or waste water shall sink shall be installed within 30 days. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate quaternary sanitizer concentration. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the kitchen or employee restroom area. Women’s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the kitchen food prep area. Compliance: Out.
POPEYES — 556 Susquehanna Blvd., Hazle Township. Most recent inspection: Feb. 23. Inspection type: Regular. Violations: Food employee did not follow proper handwashing procedure. Soap and/or warm water not used. Corrected on site. Person in charge is not monitoring the facility closely enough to fully comply with the PA Food Code. A food employee observed donning single-use gloves without a prior hand wash. Proper hand washing in warm water for a minimum of 20 seconds, then proper drying of hands before glove donning was discussed with staff. Corrected on site. The handwash sink located in the food prep area does not have water at a temperature of at least 85°F. Hot water heater was off during this inspection. Hot water heater was reset/serviced during this inspection. Food employees observed working with exposed foods with fingernail polish and/or artificial fingernails. Equipment food contact surfaces and utensils are not being immersed for a minimum of 30 seconds in the hot water sanitizing compartment of the manual warewashing sink. The quaternary ammonia concentration in the sanitizing solution of the 3-bay warewash sink was between 50-100 ppm, rather than 200 ppm as stated on the manufacturers use directions. Corrected on site. Food facility hot water heater is not producing enough hot water to supply at all the sinks at the time of this inspection. Hot water heater was serviced during this inspection. Hot water was then obtained. Corrected on site. Floor under equipment is soiled with grease, old dried food, and debris. Compliance: Out.
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