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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.

McDonald’s #26683, 674 N. River St., Plains Township, Jan. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Pantry Quik #2, 902 W. Diamond Ave., Hazleton, Jan. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Top hinge plate on ice machine is broke

San Jose Deli, 347 W. Broad St., Hazleton, Jan. 13. Change of owner inspection; in compliance. Violations: Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration

Target #1845, 3400 Wilkes-Barre Commons Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, Jan. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Observed cracked plastic pretzel tray in the snack area. Replacement tray has been ordered. Observed a buildup of food residue on the metal shelf in the small refrigerator in the snack area. Employee cleaned shelf during inspection. Observed a buildup of slimy residues on the back side of the ice chute and in the drains on the self-serve beverage machine. Person in charge cleaned areas. Observed a buildup of syrup on the surface behind the nozzles on the self-serve beverage machine. Surface was cleaned. Observed rice and flour spillage on shelves in the sales area. Employee cleaned shelves during inspection.

West Hazleton Elementary Middle School, 325 North St., Hazleton, Jan. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Bunny’s Lounge, 720 N. Alter St., Hazleton, Jan. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Certificate displayed is expired. Owner called for class during inspection. Three-basin kitchen sink has buildup of mineral deposits in basins.

Chestnut Bargain Center, 137 E. Chestnut St., Hazleton, Jan. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Dollar Tree #1692, 562 W. Broad St., Hazleton, Jan. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Frankie’s Pizzeria, 37 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton, Jan. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Food containers stored on floor in walk-in cooler.

Gerrity’s Market #63262, 801 Wyoming Ave., West Pittston, Jan. 13. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.

Arias Mini-Market, 761 W. Broad St., Hazleton, Jan. 17. Change of owner inspection; in compliance. Violation: Fan guard in walk-in cooler has buildup of mold.

Bakehouse, 152 S. Wyoming Ave., Kingston, Jan. 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: The edge of the deflector plate inside of the ice machine in the prep area, a food contact surface, was observed to have a black mold-like residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The deflector plate was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection

Colarusso’s Cafe, 725 Main St., Avoca, Jan. 17. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats or beard covers. Observed plastic container with no handle being used as a scoop and stored in ingredients. Container was removed. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available in multiple refrigeration units. Observed a buildup of food residue on the metal shelves in the walk-in cooler and in the under-counter unit at the bar. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in the walk-in cooler. Observed a buildup of dust on the pipes over the cooking area.

Convenient Food Mart #3017, 142 S. Main St., Pittston, Jan. 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a buildup of residue on the shelf in walk-in cooler. Person in charge cleaned shelf during inspection. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guards in one walk-in cooler.

Granteed’s Tavern, 247 Parsonage St., Pittston, Jan. 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed a buildup of pink mold-like residue on the interior of the ice machine. Person in charge cleaned machine at time of inspection.

Hazleton Elementary – Middle School, 700 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton, Jan. 17. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Holy Family Academy, 601 N. Laurel St., Hazleton, Jan. 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Fan guard in walk-in cooler has buildup of static dust.

J & CD Grocery Store, 700 N. Locust St., Hazleton, Jan. 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in food prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats or beard covers. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in several refrigerated equipment. Several florescent light tubes in food prep areas are not shielded.

Victoria’s Candies, 51 N. Laurel St., Hazleton, Jan. 17. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Wyoming Valley Beverage, 855 Exeter Ave., Exeter, Jan. 17. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Hazleton Area Academy of Science, 40 Azalea Dr., Drums, Jan. 18. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Lispi’s Restaurant, 1218 Route 315, Wilkes-Barre, Jan. 18. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.

Memorial Elementary School, 80 W. St. Mary’s Rd., Wilkes-Barre, Jan 18. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Murphy’s, 347 Slocum St., Swoyersville, Jan. 18. Complaint inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired on Aug. 8, 2016. The owner stated that he is registered to take the course in February. Facility has 90 days to get an employee certified and will email this inspector or fax/mail a copy of the certificate to the Region 3 field office when received. Observed a bag of flour stored directly on the floor in prep area, rather than 6 inches above the floor as required. The bag was elevated during this inspection. Observed containerized food stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler, rather than 6 inches above the floor as required. The food items were elevated during this inspection. Observed a buildup of a tan, yeast-like residue inside the two soda gun holsters, a food contact surface, which also was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The holsters were cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Observed a buildup of grease and accumulation of dried food on the cooking surface and under the grids of the gas stove. Observed a buildup of grease and dried food residue on the side of the grill and gas line along the side of the grill. Observed an accumulation of flour and dried food residue on the top outside surface of the pizza oven. Observed an buildup of grease and dried food residue on the side of the bain marie facing the pizza oven. Observed dried food splatter on the outside surface of the doors on the lower portion of the bain marie. Several floor tiles cracked and/or missing in kitchen. Areas without tile have exposed wooden surfaces which are not smooth and easily cleanable. Owners stated that he has purchased tile to replace the broken missing tiles in the kitchen. Dried food residue on the shelves of the take-out counter. Dried food splatter/residue on the wall between the stainless tables dividing the prep area and dish washing area. Splatter also noted on the wall between and behind the bain marie and the pizza oven. Flour and food residue on the lower shelf of the stainless prep table to the right of the fryer.

Pazzo Restaurant, 2011 Route 315, Pittston, Jan. 18. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Foods in the freezer and refrigeration unit stored open with no covering. Foods were covered. Observed a buildup of food residue on the metal shelves in the walk-in cooler. Observed a buildup of black residue on the top edge of the deflector plate in the ice machine. Deflector plate was cleaned. Observed a buildup of black residue on the wall behind the dishwasher. Observed a buildup of grease and dust on the hoods above the cooking area. Hoods are scheduled to be cleaned. Observed a buildup of residues on equipment storage shelf. Employee restroom does not have a self-closing door.

Red’s Subs & Pizza, 5918 Main Rd., Hunlock Creek, Jan. 18. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Deli meat in the reach-in refrigerator area stored open with no covering. The deli meats were covered during this inspection. Raw eggs were stored above ready-to-eat foods in the reach-in refrigeration unit. The eggs were moved to the bottom shelf during this inspection. Observed containerized chicken and potatoes stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler, rather than 6 inches above the floor as required. The food items were elevated during this inspection.

Shangahai Chinese Restaurant, 2450 Memorial Highway, Suite 10, Dallas, Jan. 18. Opening inspection; in compliance. Violations: Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in reach-in and chest freezers. Lack of a back flow prevention device on the water line in the mop sink area.

The Appletree House, 2074 Route 92, Pittston, Jan. 18. Regular inspection; in compliance.

The Game Chateau, 1112 Route 315, Wilkes Barre, Jan. 18. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Youth Forestry Camp #2, Hickory Run State Park, White Haven, Jan. 18. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Maple Manor Elementary Middle School, 1700 W. 22nd St., Hazleton, Jan. 19. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Commercially processed refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food, located in the walk-in cooler, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Ham, a refrigerated, ready- to-eat time temperature control for safety food in the walk-in cooler, was date-marked by the facility, but was beyond the seven-day use- or sell-by date and requires discarding.

Meliza Supermarket, 600 Alter St., Hazleton, Jan. 19. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Working containers in ware-wash area, used for storing cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the cleaner. The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Food facility using rodent bait placed in bait stations which are not covered and tamper-resistant. Personal medications stored on shelves above meat-cutting table. 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. Twelve cans of baby formula on retail shelves past expiration dates. Removed from sale. Deli meat was held at 46-47 degrees F, in the deli case, rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. Safe food handling label not on fresh-cut meats in retail case. Wooden knife scabbard used to store meat cutting knives, not designed for easy cleaning. Upper portion of deli case found with ambient temperature of 46-48 degrees F. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible in all refrigerated units. Snapple cooler used to store milk has a door that does not close tightly. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. No sanitizer residual found on clean food containers at ware-wash sink. Soap was not available at the hand-wash sink in the meat area. The hand-wash sink in the meat area does not have single-use towels, continuous towels, or air-drying device. No hand-drying device in restroom area.

Peking Chef Express, 5 United Penn Plaza, 160 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, Jan. 19. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed containerized food stored directly on the floor in walk-in freezer rather than 6 inches above the floor as required. The containers were elevated during this inspection. Shrimp observed thawing at room temperature in a tub on the stainless prep table outside the walk-in freezer, which is not an approved thawing method. Instructed staff that the proper method would be to place the tub of shrimp under running cold water until thawed. The tub of shrimp was placed under running cold water during this inspection. The water temperature of the wash compartment of the manual ware-washing equipment was 96 degrees F, less than 110 degrees F, as required. The thermostat on the water heater was set at 100 degrees F. The thermostat was turned up during this inspection. Repeat water temperature was 120 degrees F. Food facility is reusing soy sauce buckets to store food, which is intended to be a single-service or single-use article. The hand-wash sink located in the prep area does not have water at a temperature of at least 10 degrees F. Water temperature at the hand-wash sink in the prep area was 98 degrees F. The thermostat was turned up on the water heater during this inspection Repeat water temperature was 114 degrees F. Paper towel dispenser empty at the hand-wash sink in the prep area. Paper towels were placed at the sink during this inspection.

Sho Gun, 1073 Route 315, Wilkes-Barre, Jan. 19. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violation: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats.

Stephanie’s Tavern, 80 S. Main St., Pittston, Jan. 19. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility does not have a certified food employee. List was provided and employee will register for ServSafe course withing 30 days and provide copy of certificate to sanitarian when received. Food facility is not using an approved detergent-sanitizer in both compartments of the two-compartment manual ware-washing equipment. Facility does limited food service or ware-wash and has a three-bay sink available at the bar for use.

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