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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.
Agolino’s Char Grill, 22 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston, Nov. 28. Regular inspection; in compliance. Food utensil in prep area observed stored in a container of water which is not maintained at 135 degrees F. Observed small plastic containers with no handle used as scoops and stored in food ingredients in the salad bain marie. Containers were discarded. Observed containers of food stored directly on the floor in the walk-in freezer, rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. Observed handles on microwaves repaired with tape, which is not an easily cleanable surface. Replacement handles have been ordered. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in a reach-in cooler in the kitchen and in the walk-in cooler in the basement kitchen. Observed a buildup of old syrup residue on the surfaces around the nozzles on the soda machine. Surfaces were cleaned.
Coal City Tavern, 75 Main St., Luzerne, Nov. 28. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: The inside surface of one of four soda gun holsters, a food contact surface, was observed to have a tan/gray slime and was not clean to sight and touch. The holster was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. There are multiple areas where the floor tiles in the walk-in cooler are broken with pieces missing exposing concrete underneath tiles, which is no longer easily cleanable, and in need of repair/replacement.
Dave’s Catering & Smoked Meats, 584 Cigarski Road, Shavertown, Nov. 28. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, 754 Wyoming Ave. – Kingston Village Center, Kingston, Nov. 28. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Intermetzo Cafe at Thomas P. Saxton Pavilion, 468 Northampton St., Kingston, Nov. 28. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.
Boyers Catering, MFF4, 926 Shoemaker Ave., Wyoming, Nov. 29, Regular inspection; in compliance.
Fratello’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen, 450 3rd St., Nescopeck, Nov. 29. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Hunlock Creek Volunteer Fire Co., 1114 Main Road, Hunlock Creek, Nov. 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.
Boyers Catering at West Wyoming Hose Co. #1, 926 Shoemaker Ave., West Wyoming, Nov. 29. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Dunkin Donuts, 1150 State Route 315, Plains Township, Nov. 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food dispensing utensils in bulk ingredients observed stored in the product with handle in contact with the product. Spoons were moved. Observed spoon stored in container of sanitizer. Spoon was removed from sanitizer. Observed deteriorating edges on the top of the milk dispensing containers. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Ventilation hood above the prep/toaster area observed to have a heavy buildup of dust.
Holiday Inn Express, Wilkes-Barre East, 1063 Route 315, Wilkes Barre, Nov. 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available in refrigerator in pantry area. Post can opener blade, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Can opener was cleaned during inspection. Observed single-service, single-use articles stored in pantry area directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor. Items were moved off the floor.
Pikes Creek Beverage, 2406 Route 118, Hunlock Creek, Nov. 30. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Pittston Six Packs To Go, 308 Route 315, Pittston, Nov. 30. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violations: Prepackaged hoagies not labeled properly with the a full ingredient statement. Pre-packaged hoagies not labeled to clearly indicate any “Big 8” allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.
Price Chopper #222, 245 Wilkes-Barre Township Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, Nov. 30 Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed 50-plus rodent-like droppings under pallets in the back stock area. Facility has a pest control program and is working to control the activity.
Pump & Pantry, 2375 Route 118, Hunlock Creek, Nov. 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Containerized food stored directly on the floor in walk-in freezer, rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. The container was elevated during this inspection. The blade of the post can opener, a food contact surface, was observed to have dried food/black residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The post can opener was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. No sign or poster posted at the sink in the ladies restroom area to remind food employees to wash their hands. A sign was posted during this inspection.
New Mart, 108 S. Memorial Highway, Shavertown, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Raw eggs stored above bottled soda in the walk-in cooler. The eggs were moved to the bottom shelf during this inspection. Individual pizza slices (wrapped in the facility) and offered for sale in the self-serve reach-in refrigeration unit are not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, net weight, distributed-by statement and/or nutritional facts. Placard placed during this inspection. Individual pizza slices (wrapped in the facility) and offered for sale in the self-serve reach-in refrigeration unit are not labeled to clearly indicate any “Big 8” allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement. Placard placed during this inspection.
Penn State Hazleton Housing & Food Service, 17 University Drive, Hazleton, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Shelley’s Pizza, 273 Union St., Luzerne. Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Taco Bell, 320 Route 315, Pittston, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a buildup of black residue on the surface around the nozzle on the frozen beverage machine. Person in charge cleaned surface during inspection. Observed a buildup of pink residue on the back area of the ice chute. Observed clean food equipment stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).
The Atrium Restaurant, 311 Market St., Kingston, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance.
The Meating House, 10 Freedom Road, Drums, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Previously frozen, cryo pack salmon is being thawed in unopened packaging. Cutting boards have deep cutting grooves on food contact surfaces. Fan guards in walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer have buildup of static dust.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets Store #285, 4003 Memorial Highway, Dallas, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Vincenzo’s Pizza, 669 Route 93, Ste. 1, Conyngham, Dec. 1. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in food prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats or beard covers. Ceiling tiles missing by left corner of hood system.
American Legion Post #815, 54 Chestnut St., Wilkes-Barre, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Mechanical ware-washing equipment had a mineral buildup observed inside. Observed a buildup of black mold-like residue on the interior of the ice machine. Machine was shut off and will be cleaned and sanitized prior to use. Observed a buildup of dust and mold-like residue on the metal shelves in the walk-in coolers. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in the reach-in cooler in the bar area and on the fan guard and hoses in the walk-in cooler in the basement. Observed a buildup of grease on the hoods above the cooking area. No paper towels available at hand-wash sinks. Paper towels were provided. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the kitchen area to remind food employees to wash their hands. Sign was provided.
Conyngham Valley Veterans Assoc., 75 Banks Ave., Sugarloaf, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit #921, 1189 Route 315, Ste. 1, Wilkes Barre, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: An employee’s open beverage container was observed on table in prep area. Beverage was removed from area. Observed bain marie with an ambient temperature of 46 degrees F and not 41 degrees F or less as required. TCS foods were removed from unit and will not be stored in unit until it is serviced and maintains appropriate temperature. Observed a buildup of grease and dust on pipes above cooking area. Observed a buildup of pink residue on back side of the ice chute on the self-serve beverage machine. Observed a buildup of syrup on surfaces around nozzles on self-serve beverage machine.
Hazle Twp. Early Learning Center, 1400 W. 23rd St., Hazle Township, Dec. 1. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.
Higher Ground/Penn State Highacres, 17 University Drive, Hazleton, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Junas Natural Foods, 928 N. Peace St., Hazleton, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Komensky’s Kielbasi, 750 Main Road, Ste. 101, Shavertown, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Long John Silvers #31501, 548 Susquehanna Blvd., Hazle Township, Dec. 1. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: No certified food handler employed by establishment at this time. Manager states she is enrolled in class in December. Food employees observed in food prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats or beard covers. Three-basin sink has buildup of mineral deposits in basins. Mounted electrical boxes and conduit above batter table have buildup of splatter/spilled food residuals.
151 Memorial Convenience, Inc., 151 Memorial Highway, Dallas, Dec. 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Two-basin ware-wash sink has buildup of grime in basins.
Antonio’s Pizza, 501 Main St. Shopping Center, White Haven, Dec. 2. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Carmen Smoked Cheese, 243 Main St., White Haven, Dec. 2. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Diner at 274, 2550 Route 534, White Haven, Dec. 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: No temperature holding thermometer or temperature tapes (160 degrees F) are available to monitor final rinse plate surface temperature in high temperature dish machine. Interior surfaces of dish machine have buildup of mineral deposits. Top exterior surfaces of dish machine have buildup of grime. Wall behind dish machine has buildup of grime.
Goldstein’s Deli, 200 Pierce St., Kingston, Dec. 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a six-section cambro pan containing food items stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler, rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. The pan was elevated during this inspection. Observed a bag of flour stored directly on the floor in the prep area, rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. The bag of flour was elevated during this inspection. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Inside surface of floor stand mixer, a food contact surface, was observed to have dried food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Person in charge did not know when the mixer was last used. The mixing bowl was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Observed a buildup of static dust on the fan guards inside of the five-door Pinnacle refrigeration unit in the self-serve area. The frame of the floor stand mixer has a buildup of flour on the exterior surfaces and is in need of cleaning.
Teberio’s Pizza, 599 Union St., Luzerne, Dec. 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility has lost its certified food employee about six weeks ago. The facility will have an employee obtain the certification within the next 90 days. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats or beard covers. There are cracked, ill-fitted floor tiles in the prep area with exposed boards. The floor is no longer smooth and easily cleanable and is in need of repair/replacement.
Tipsy Turtle, Owen Street Pub, 245 Owen St., Swoyersville, Dec. 2. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: The ceiling and hosed inside of the walk-in keg cooler had an accumulation of a white/tan yeast-like residue. The keg cooler was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection.
Orange Julius, 200 Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes Barre, Dec. 5. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in the cooler in the storage shed area. No hot water available at the hand-wash sink in the prep area due to broken faucet. Door located in the storage shed area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents and other animals.
Super Buffet World, 246 West Side Mall, Wyoming Ave., Edwardsville, Dec. 5. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Shrimp in the chest freezer stored open with no covering. The shrimp was covered during this inspection. Food dispensing utensil in seafood bake observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food and the container. This was corrected during this inspection. Scale buildup on interior surfaces of mechanical dishwasher.
The Bread Store, 200 N. Broad St., West Hazleton, Dec. 5. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Uni Market LLC, 805 Shoemaker Ave., West Wyoming, Dec 5. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. The employee restroom is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. Paper towel dispenser empty at the hand-wash sink in the service counter and restroom used by employees. Paper towel was placed at both sinks during this inspection.
Walmart #2255, 761 Airport Road, Hazle Township, Dec. 5. Regular inspection; in compliance.