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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.
Grotto Pizza, 36 Gateway Shopping Center, Edwardsville, Feb. 23. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Bain marie opposite the dish washing area not holding temperature of 41 degrees F or below. The food items that were placed in the unit 30 minutes prior to inspection were removed and placed in refrigeration unit. Repairman called and came and addressed during this inspection. Freon and a new thermostat was added to the unit. Observed a tan yeast like substance on the inside surface of the soda gun holster at the bar. The holster was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Multiple ceiling tiles throughout the kitchen are water stained.
Jac’s Creamery & Eatery, 3250 Route 118, Dallas, Feb. 23. Complaint inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed excessive buildup of grease and dust accumulated and dangling from hood vent filters over the grill.There is a potential for dust and grease to drop onto food items on grill. Refrigerated ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food (chicken salad) prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the reach-in refrigerator, is not being date marked. The chicken salad was dated during this inspection. Observed a buildup of grease on the side of the deep fryer and the side of the oven located next to the deep fryer. Observed dried food particles and grime on the lower shelf (non-food contact surface) of the stainless steel prep table in the kitchen. Observed dried food spillage on the floor surface inside the reach-in freezer located in the ice cream bar area. Observed dried food particles and dirt under equipment on cook line and under stainless steel prep tables, and is in need of cleaning.
Royal Bakery, 1701 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, Feb. 23. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Working containers of cleaners stored on the same shelf with food and equipment in the prep area. Cleaners were moved. Raw eggs observed stored above and alongside ready-to-eat foods in the walk in cooler. Eggs were moved. Spray bottle ingredient container, in the prep area, is not labeled with the common name of the food. Bottle was labeled. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. The food facility is not using an approved detergent-sanitizer in both compartments of the two compartment ware-wash sink. Observed an accumulation of food residue on exterior of bulk ingredient containers. Observed exterior of the microwave with an accumulation of food residue. The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Food employee observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Observed container of icing stored directly on the floor in prep area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Food facility is not using an approved detergent-sanitizer in both compartments of the two compartment manual ware-washing equipment. Observed wire whisk that was pitted and no longer cleanable. Whisk was discarded. Baking equipment not being cleaned every 24 hrs. Employee’s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the processing area to remind food employees to wash their hands. Sign was posted. Observed a buildup webbing on overhead fixtures and between equipment in the prep area. Observed an accumulation of food debris and dust on floors, under tables and on various surfaces in the prep area. Old unused equipment stored in prep area, should be removed from food facility. Toilet rooms do not have a self-closing door.
S & M Mart, LLC, 419 E. Broad St., Hazleton, Feb. 23. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Hand-wash sink basin is slow draining. Evaporator housing and fan guards in walk-in cooler have buildup of static dust.
Wyoming Area Senior Center, 20 Memorial St., Exeter, Feb. 23. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a plastic container with no handle being used as a scoop and stored in bulk ingredient. Container was removed. Observed a buildup of black residue above and behind nozzles on Slush Puppy machine. Approximately 150 old rodent droppings were observed on multiple shelves and floor surfaces in the dry storage room.
Burger King #8857, 81 N. River St., Plains Township, Feb. 23. Follow up inspection; in compliance.
Curry Donut, 530 Susquehanna Blvd., Hazle Township, Feb. 23. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: The hand-wash sink in the bakery area was blocked by a prep table and not accessible at all times for employee use. Table moved. Florescent light tubes by doughnut fryer are missing end caps. Buildup of dirt observed at floor to wall junctions in bakery.
Diamond Mini Market, 341 E. Diamond Ave., Hazleton, Feb. 23. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: No chemical test strips available for chlorine used as a sanitizer. No thermometers visible in all in use refrigeration units. Florescent light tubes above rear prep/ware-wash area are not shielded.
Donut Connection, 1601 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, Feb. 23. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed an accumulation of splash residue and grime above the dispensing nozzles of the Sureshot machine. Observed an accumulation of residue on surface around the dispensing nozzles of the cappuccino machine and the cream dispenser. Observed single-service, single-use articles stored directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor. Items moved from floor. Interior door surface of the ice bin in the counter area is cracked and needs to be replaced. Rubber gasket on the ice bin in the counter area is deteriorating and needs to be replaced.
Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, 125 Laurel Mall, Hazle Twp, Feb. 23. Follow up inspection; in compliance.
Grab and Go Hoagies, 233 E. Broad St., West Hazleton, Feb. 23. Complaint inspection; in compliance.
Brews Brothers, 1705 River Rd., Pittston, Feb. 24, Opening inspection; in compliance. Violations: Multiple working containers of various liquids in the cooking area were not labeled with the common name. Containers were labled during inspection. Observed a buildup of pink mold-like residue in the chute on the ice machine. Person in charge shut machine off and will clean and sanitize it prior to use. Soda dispensing nozzle, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Nozzle was cleaned. Observed a buildup of dust and grease on ventilation hoods above the cooking area. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guards in the refrigeration unit in the kitchen. Observed pizza boxes stored directly on the floor in the kitchen area. Boxes were off the floor. Women’s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.
KL’s Catering, 773 W. 8th Street, West Wyoming, Feb. 24. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: End caps missing on the protective light shields inside the Pinnacle refrigeration unit.
Mayme’s Cafe & Catering, 647 State Route 93, Suite 5, Conyngham, Feb. 24. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Open beverage container is stored in shelf above in-use bain marie. Employee observed handling ready-to-eat foods with bare hands. Low temperature, chemical sanitizing dishwasher is showing 10 ppm in final rinse. Unit may be used provided all equipment is subject to a properly mixed sanitizer on exit from unit until repaired. Person(s) in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. Employee observed multitasking then changing gloves, no hand wash. No effective hair/beard restraints worn during food prep. Food containers stored on floor in walk-in freezer. Cryo packed salmon fillets are thawing at room temperature in un-opened cryo pack. Fan guards in walk-in cooler have buildup of static dust.
McDonald’s #05531 ,571 Susquehanna Blvd., Hazle Township, Feb. 24. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Door on under counter cooler at drive-thru is exhibiting an approx. 1/4” opening due to improper door adjustment. Center door gasket on overhead freezer by fryer bank is duct taped to door frame. Low temperature (set to chemical sanitation) chemical sanitizing dishwasher is showing 0 ppm residual chlorine in final rinse after 6 cycles. All equipment to be subject to a properly mixed chemical sanitizer on exit from unit until repaired. Top exterior surfaces of dishwasher, over door openings ,have buildup of scum/grime from backwash. Top exterior surfaces of equipment in food prep area have buildup of dust/grime. Condensate is dripping from ceiling/lite fixtures in several spots in food prep area/storeroom. Rear storeroom man door by carbonator is propped open with a rock.
Mrs. Fritz’s Homemade, 160 Ashley St., Ashley, Feb. 24. Opening inspection; in compliance.
Philly’s Phinest, 610 Carey Ave., Wilkes Barre, Feb. 24. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Bare hand contact with hoagie bun by food handler in preparation area. Corrected on site by discarding hoagie bun. Meatballs were at 110 degrees F after 1 hour. Corrected on site by reheating meatballs to 135 degrees F. White floor freezer gasket loose and in disrepair. Bain marie gasket has food particle accumulation. rear door has a hole in bottom corner. cleaning supplies found in storage area on shelf next to can goods, inside box of plastic sauce cups on shelf next to slicer. Men’s toilet room self-closing bar not attached. Men and women’s rest room exhaust fans not working.
Rynkiewicz Dips and Mixes, 160 Ashley St., Ashley, Feb. 24. Opening inspection; in compliance. Violation: Food facility has an employee that has taken food safety training program; however, the food safety program was not an ANSI/CFP accredited Certified Food Manager program. Person in charge will register for manager’s course and provide certificate upon completion of course.
Salerno’s Pizza Restaurant, 19 Kelly St., Luzerne, Feb. 24. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Broken deteriorating gaskets rubber door gaskets observed on the doors on the lower portion of the bain marie in the pizza making area. Unit currently holding ambient temperature of 39 degrees F.
Sheetz #463, 551 State Route 93, Sugarloaf, Feb. 24. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Curry Donuts, 733 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, Feb. 25. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Can of WD 40 stored on storage shelf above mixer ingredient barrels. Loose screws, razor blade, old door knob pieces on shelf above floor mixer. Torn ragged duct tape on the handles of the hand rolling pin at doughnut prep table. Knife stored in scabbard at doughnut prep table had old food residue at base of the blade. Hand scoop located in mixer area had old dried dough buildup on scoop surfaces. Tray cart by fryer shows buildup of old glazing, etc. on the tray shelving guides and at hand area of the cart. The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Wooden knife scabbard in use at doughnut prep table, scabbard is not easily cleanable. The scabbard was discarded during this inspection. Black mold-like residual in corners of the ware-wash sink compartments. Webbing buildup on doughnut prep table underside and on underside of the shelf above doughnut prep table. Soap was not available at the hand-wash sink in the prep area. Ingredient spillage, webbing, grime buildup on floor areas under ingredient storage shelves in ingredient storage area and mixer area. Multiple water stained ceiling panels in the fryer/ prep, and front service area ceilings. Dried brown colored buildup on wall surface to rear of the female toilet in female restroom.
