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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
Boozer’s, 635 Main St., Avoca, June 24. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area were not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Bulk food ingredient storage container, in the kitchen area, was not labeled with the common name of the food. Container was labeled. Observed cracked plastic lid on ingredient container repaired with duct tape, which is not easily cleanable. Interior of microwave, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Microwave was cleaned. Observed a buildup of residue in the soda gun at the bar. Gun was cleaned. Observed a buildup of dust on the hoods above the fryers. No paper towels were available at the hand-wash sink in the bar area. Paper towels were provided. No sign or poster was posted at the hand-wash sink in the bar area to remind food employees to wash their hands. Sign was provided.
Curry Donuts, 733 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, June 27. Complaint inspection; in compliance.
Domino’s Pizza, 200 Kennedy Blvd., Pittston, June 27. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment was not available in refrigeration equipment. Thermometers were provided. Bain marie observed with an ambient temperature of 56 degrees F. Foods were removed from unit. Equipment will be serviced prior to use. Ware-wash sink has a hose attachment that is hanging below the flood rim of the sink and not an appropriate air gap. Equipment was observed in the hand-wash sink, indicating uses other than hand washing. Equipment was moved.
Sizzle PI, 366 Pierce St., Kingston, June 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Two open employees’ beverage containers (coffee and soda) were observed in prep area, a food preparation area. Observed food employees in pizza prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats or beard covers. Observed two ice scoops being stored in the ice chest located at the fountain soda dispensing machine, with the handles in direct contact with the ice. Observed an accumulation of dried food particles/spillage on the floor surface inside the freezer portion of the refrigerator on the left as enter rear portion of kitchen.
Turkey Hill Minit Market #192, 358 Pierce St., Kingston, June 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a small amount of pink slime on the ice dispensing trigger of the fountain soda machine. The triggers were removed, washed and sanitized during this inspection. Observed several small areas of white/black mold-like substance on the ceiling of the walk-in cooler near the refrigeration unit located near the milk. Observed a build up of static dust on the fan guards near the milk inside the walk-in cooler.
Daddow-Isaacs Post 672, 2974 Memorial Hwy., Dallas, June 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Buildup of a tan yeast-like residue inside two of four soda gun holsters at the bar. The holsters were cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Observed a buildup of tan residue on the drip edge of inside the ice machine in the bar area. The ice machine was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection.
Fujiyama Restaurant, 47 N. Main St., Pittston, June 29. 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. An employee’s open beverage container was observed in prep area. Beverage was removed. Observed dust/debris in an open case of miso paste in the walk-in cooler. Item was discarded. Food items in the walk-in cooler stored open with no covering. Items were covered. Food utensils in kitchen area observed stored in a container of water which is not maintained at 135 degrees F. Observed wet wiping cloths in sushi prep area, not being stored in sanitizer solution. Observed bags of onions, sugar and rice and a bucket of cut ginger stored directly on the floor rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low temperature sanitizing dishwasher was 25 parts per million, and not 50-100 ppm as required. Facility will sanitize equipment in sink until unit is serviced. Observed a buildup of mold-like residue on the interior of the ice machine. Machine was shut off and will be cleaned and sanitized prior to use. Observed an accumulation of dust on the fan guard in the walk-in cooler. Observed an accumulation of food debris on the shelves under the sushi prep area and along the edges of the bain marie. Soap was not available at the hand-wash sink in the employee restroom. Soap was provided. Observed approximately 20 live ants in the dry storage area. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.
Kelsey’s Corner, 1 N. Main St., Ashley, June 29. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Working containers in bar and kitchen area, used for storing chemicals/cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Containers were labeled. The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Food in the freezer area stored open with no covering. Items were covered. Observed cases of crackers stored directly on the floor in back area, rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. Cases were moved off the floor. Refrigerated ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the refrigeration units, was not being date marked. Provided information on date marking. Coating is peeling off shelves in the reach-in refrigeration unit in the kitchen. Observed deeply scored and stained cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Soda gun in the bar area, a food contact surface, was observed to have syrup residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Gun was placed in cleaner. Observed a buildup of slimy residue in the soda gun holster in the wait staff area. Observed single-service, single-use articles stored in back area directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor. Employee toilet room does not have a self-closing door.
Benito’s Italian Specialties, 554 Alter St., Hazleton, June 30. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Several chemical spray bottles in food prep areas are not marked for content. Persons in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. Refrigerated ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared/packaged in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the bain marie/walk-in cooler, are not being date marked. No written procedures are in place for pizzas and meat-filled food products held by time in lieu of temperature. Store-made hoagies held eight hours and offered for sale in retail cooler are not labeled/no ingredient information available at point of sale. Wire shelving in under-counter cooler at cook line is rusting. No thermometers are visible in all in-use refrigeration units. No temperature holding thermometer or temperature tapes are available to monitor plate surface temperature in final rinse of high-temperature dish machine
Convenient Food Mart #3005, 283 Pierce St., Kingston, June 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Commercially processed ready-to-eat deli meats and cheeses, located in the deli-case, and held more than 24 hours, are not being marked with the date they were opened. The person in charge stated that they were opened and sliced yesterday. The meats and cheeses where dated with a discard date during this inspection. Observed a brown residue on the inside surfaces of the hand-wash sink. Used dishes and utensils observed in the hand-wash sink, indicating uses other than hand washing. The items were removed during this inspection. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair, observed water leaking at the drain pipe under the first bay of the three-bay sink when water faucet was turned on. Facility has a bucket collecting the leaking water.
Flamingo Diner, Route 11, West Nanticoke, June 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Working container in counter area, used for storing chemicals taken from bulk supplies, was not marked with the common name of the chemical. Container was labeled. Food employees observed in prep area were not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Refrigerated ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the refrigerator, is not being date marked. Discussed date marking with person in charge and provided handout. Interior of ice bin cooler is cracked and needs to be replaced. Observed an accumulation of grease and webbing on the pipes above the cooking area.
Mi Casa Restaurant and Bar, 217 E. Diamond Ave., Hazleton, June 30, Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Persons in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. Plantains are soaking in plastic pail that previously held dry-wall compound. Product disposed. Only food-grade containers to be used. Refrigerated ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the walk-in cooler, is not being date marked. No thermometers are visible in all in-use refrigeration units. Assorted knives in holder have old, dried food residuals on blades. Cleaned during inspection. Food prep hand-wash sink is not accessible due to basin is filled with dishes. Sink emptied and cleaned during inspection. Sink shall be open, clean and available for hand washing at all times. Several florescent lights in food prep area are not shielded.
Subway #29412, 560 Airport Rd., Hazle Township, June 30. 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. Soup in hot-hold unit is 128 degrees F internal temperature. Employee states soup was reheated but no internal temperature was taken prior to placement in hot holding. Soup reheated and returned to hot hold. Meatballs and sauce in hot hold unit are 113 degrees F product center. Employee states product was reheated but no internal temperature was taken prior to placement in hot holding. Product returned to hot holding after reheat. Eight roasted chicken patties, four vegetable patties and four egg portions in sandwich unit are 54 degrees F internal temperature. All other items in unit are in acceptable temperature range. Employee states items were in an under-counter cooler overnight. All items in cooler are 39 degrees F. Items voluntarily disposed due to questionable time out of temperature. Residual date label material and adhesive are observed on cleaned, stacked food storage pans. Stacking may allow for material to transfer to food contact surfaces.
