Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

The following are recent Luzerne County restaurant inspection reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. According 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

The Game Chateau, 1112 A Route 315, Wilkes-Barre, Feb. 10. Opening inspection; in compliance. Violations: Working containers in counter area used for storing cleaners taken from bulk supplies were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Container was labeled. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the counter and restroom area to remind food employees to wash their hands. Signs were provided.

Blue Ridge Plaza, 7121 Blue Ridge Trail, Mountain Top, Feb. 10. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Commercially processed, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food, located in the bain marie and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Spray bottle stored by food prep hand-wash sink is not labeled for content. Person(s) in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. Employee observed donning food service gloves, no hand-wash prior to glove use. Food ingredient storage container under hot dog roller is not labeled with the common name of the food. Meatballs/sausage and sauce in hot hold unit are 112°F product center. Employee states items put in unit approx. 3 to 3.5 hours ago. Items disposed due to improper reheating to 165°F within two hours. Three-step ware wash procedure is not being used for cleaning and sanitizing equipment and utensils. Discussed three-step procedures with employee. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the prep area to remind food employees to wash their hands.

Fast Lane Mart, 36 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, Feb. 10. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Miscellaneous-sized milk from Hillside Farms Dairy do not have sell-by dates on package. Will refer to milk sanitarian. Miscellaneous items stored in food prep hand-wash sink. Several ceiling tiles in retail area are water marked.

Hissho Sushi, 552 Union St., Luzerne, Feb. 10. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Irem Clubhouse, 4 Ridgeway Dr., Suite 2, Dallas, Feb. 10. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Steaks and hamburgers are served raw or under cooked to the customer’s request; however, a written consumer advisory (on the menu, table tent or placard) is not provided to the consumer. The consumer advisory was added and the menu reprinted during this inspection. The inside surface of the soda gun holster located at the bar, a food contact surface, was observed to have a tan, yeast-like residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The holster was removed, washed and sanitized during this inspection.

Philadelphia Subs ‘N Pizza, 555 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre, Feb. 10. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Bags of ice packaged at the facility are not properly labeled with name and location of facility.

Joey’s Joint, 59 Plymouth St., Edwardsville, Feb. 11. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a pink, mold-like residue, on the deflector plate inside the ice machine, a food contact surface. The ice machine was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Observed a buildup of a tan, yeast-like substance on the ceiling surface and on the surface of the compressor inside he walk-in keg cooler located in the basement. Observed a buildup of static dust on the fan guards inside the walk-in keg cooler located in the basement. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the men’s rest room area to remind food employees to wash their hands. A sign was placed during this inspection.

Kester’s Cafe, 621 Miller St., Luzerne, Feb. 11. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Observed a buildup of pink mold-like residue on the edge of the deflector plate, a food contact surface, on the inside of the ice machine located in the basement. The ice machine was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Observed a buildup of static dust on the fan guards inside the two-door beer refrigeration unit behind the bar. The fan guards were cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the men’s or women’s restrooms area to remind food employees to wash their hands. Sign were posted during this inspection.

Taco Bell #28968, 1037 Wilkes-Barre Township Blvd., Wilkes Barre, Feb 11. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed an accumulation of residue on surface around nozzle on coffee dispenser at the drive-thru window. Observed an accumulation of residue on surface behind ice chute on beverage machine at the drive-thru.

Holy Rosary School, 125 Stephenson St., Duryea, Feb. 11. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Five dented canned items observed in storage area and intended for use in the food facility. Items were removed from use. Blade of meat slicer, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch.

Cabaret, 481 Market St., Kingston, Feb. 12. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low-temperature sanitizing dishwasher was 10 ppm, and not 50-100 ppm as required. The facility has agreed to use the three-compartment sink to wash and sanitize glasses until machine is repaired. The owner called the repairman during this inspection.

Costello’s Italian Restaurant, 67 S. Wyoming Ave., Edwardsville, Feb. 12. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Raw chicken was stored above a pan of lasagna in walk-in cooler. The chicken was moved to lower shelf during this inspection. Observed containerized food stored directly on the floor in both the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer, rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. The containers were elevated during this inspection. Observed a buildup of a tan, yeast-like substance on the inside surface of the soda gun holster located at the bar. The holster was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. The door leading to the outside, located near the walk-in freezer of the food facility, has a gap with visible light at the floor/door junction and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents and other animals. Observed a buildup of dried food spillage on the sides of the bain marie and steam table. Observed an accumulation of grease, dropped food and food char on the floor between and under the fryer and grill on the cook line.

Dollar Tree #1692, 562 W. Broad St., Hazleton, Feb. 12. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Man door in rear storeroom is exhibiting an approximately ¼-inch gap along bottom sealing surfaces.

J&J Fish and Meat Market, 117 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton, Feb.12. Regular inspection; out of compliance.Violations: Food employee observed changing tasks that may have contaminated hands without a proper hand-wash. Employee engaged in food prep observed drinking from open container, then resuming food prep, no hand-wash/glove change. Assorted knives are stored with blades in crevice between wooden strip and wall by three-compartment sink. Food employee observed multi-tasking while wearing same pair of food service gloves. No ingredients listed on or available at point of purchase for flan offered for sale. No thermometers visible in all in-use refrigeration units. Band saw and table top grinder are not being cleaned effectively so as to remove all food residuals/grime. Cuber head and drip rail in ice machine have buildup of scum/mold. No sign posted at food prep hand-wash sink to remind employees to wash hands. Left signage. Evaporator housing and fan guards in walk-in cooler have buildup of mold.

Tipsy Turtle, Airport, 28 Concord Ave., Avoca, Feb. 12. Opening inspection; in compliance. Violations: An employee’s open beverage container was observed in serving area, a food preparation area. Beverages were removed during inspection. Observed an accumulation of food debris on non-food contact surface of meat slicer. Employee restroom is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.

Wyoming Mart, 901 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, Feb. 12. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Working spray bottle containing cleanser taken from bulk supplies, was not marked with the common name of the chemical. The bottle was labeled during this inspection. Observed a buildup of static dust on the fan guards inside the walk-in cooler. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the employee restroom to remind food employees to wash their hands. A sign was posted during this inspection. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink located near the coffee counter area to remind food employees to wash their hands. A sign was posted during this inspection.

Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, 125 Laurel Mall, Hazle Township, Feb. 16. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Person(s) in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. Food facility has an original certificate posted, but the location is not conspicuous for public viewing. Employee observed handling currency, then donning food service gloves, no hand-wash prior to donning gloves. Three-compartment ware-wash sink is blocked by cartons and refrigerator. Right basin is filled with miscellaneous items. Three-step ware wash procedures are not being used due to three-compartment sink not accessible for use and equipment is being washed in hand-wash sink. Food-prep hand-wash sink is being used for ware wash as evidenced by cleaned utensils and scrub pad positioned by sink.

Grotto Pizza, Hillside and Lakeside Drive, Harveys Lake, Feb. 16. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a plastic cambro, a food contact surface, was cracked or deteriorating and no longer smooth or easily cleanable. The cambro was discarded during this inspection. Observed a buildup of static dust and grime on the fan guards inside both of the self-serve Coke refrigeration units in the take-out area of the facility. The fan guard was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Observed a buildup of static dust on the fan guard in the walk-in cooler. The fan guard was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. The back door of the slam kitchen has a gap at the floor/door junction with visible light and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents and other animals. The receiving door located in the pizza dough making area of the food facility has a gap between the doors at the base, with visible light, and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents and other animals.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Restaurant_Inspections_IHOP-2.jpg.optimal.jpg