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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.
Irem Temple Country Club – Pavilion, 70 Ridgeway Dr., Dallas, July 11. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Isabella Restaurant & Bar, 1140 Rte. 315, Ste.101, Plains Township, July 11. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Multiple food ingredient storage containers not labeled with the common name of the contents. Observed in-use knife stored between tables, an area not easily cleanable & sanitized. Knife was removed and cleaned. Observed plastic containers with no handles used as scoops and stored in bulk ingredients. Containers were removed. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available in multiple refrigeration units. Thermometers were provided. High temperature mechanical ware-washing machine did not reach the appropriate sanitizing temperature. Equipment will be sanitized in 3-bay sinks until unit is repaired. Observed a buildup of dust on the side wall in the ice machine. Ice machine was cleaned. Observed a buildup of old food residue in the corners of the bain marie. Observed clean food equipment stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).
Josie’s Italian Ice, 115 S. Wyoming Ave., Kingston, July 11. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, 675 Kidder St., Wilkes-Barre, July 11. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed 13 severely dented canned items intended for sale. Items were removed from sale at time of inspection. Observed a buildup of dust on items in the grocery area.
Slysz’s, 811 Main St., Avoca, July 11. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in the refrigeration unit in the bar area. Observed a buildup of residue on the sinks in the bar area.
Wendy’s #007005, 40 S. Church St., Hazleton, July 11. Complaint inspection; in compliance.
American Grill, LLC, 1320 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, July 11. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Refrigerated, ready-to-eat time temperature control for safety food in the kitchen area, was date-marked by the facility, but was beyond the 7 day use or sell-by date and requires discarding. Foods beyond the discard date were discarded. Provided guidance documents. Observed employee vape supplies stored on shelf alongside food ingredients. Vape supplies were removed from the area. Mechanical ware-washing equipment had a mineral buildup observed inside. Toilet rooms do not have a self-closing door.
Donna’s Deli, 64 Maffett Place, Plains Township, July 11. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Hats were provided. Deli meats held at 60 degrees F, in the bain marie, rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. Foods were held less than 4 hours and were removed from the unit and placed in another refrigeration unit until bain marie is functioning properly. Observed bain marie with an ambient temperature of 60 degrees F and not 41 degrees F or less as required. No TCS foods will be stored in unit until it is serviced. Food employee observed towel drying utensils and food equipment after cleaning.
Domino’s Pizza, 200 Kennedy Blvd., Pittston, July 12. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.
McDonald’s #26683, 674 N. River St. Plains Township. July 12. Complaint inspection; in compliance.
Redner’s Warehouse Market #55, 2000 N. Township Rd., Pittston, July 12. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed 2 metal carts in the deli area to be rusting and no longer easily cleanable. Observed a buildup of residue on the honey comb and around the misting nozzles in the produce area.
Rollaway, Memorial Highway, Dallas, July 12. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Silly Willy Ice Cream – MFF3, 1107 Grove St., Avoca, July 12. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Scoop being stored in the ice machine with handle in contact with the ice. Scoop was removed.
Sonic Drive-in, 755 Kidder St., Wilkes-Barre, July 12. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed deeply scored and stained cutting board not resurfaced or discarded as required. Observed a buildup of black residue on the nozzles on both beverage machines. Person in charge cleaned nozzles during inspection. Observed a buildup of food residue along the top back edges of the bain marie. Employee cleaned bain marie during inspection. Observed a buildup of food residue on non-food contact surfaces at the Slush machine. Person in charge cleaned surfaces. Observed a buildup of syrup residue on surface around the nozzles on the beverage machine. Person in charge cleaned surface during inspection. Observed date marking sticker residue on the exterior of clean food pans.
Trails End Restaurant, 817 Rte. 118, Sweet Valley, July 12. Complaint inspection; in compliance.
Asaki, 1900 Memorial Hwy., Ste. 5, Shavertown, July 13. Complaint inspection; in compliance.
Budd’s Pizza Café, 134 Page Ave., Kingston, July 13. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. There is an excessive buildup of ice on the shelves inside of the reach in freezer in the prep area. Observed the top outside surface of the pizza oven with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces. The oven was cleaned during this inspection. Exit door located in the Rear of the food facility has a 1 inch gap at the floor door junction and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. Soap was not available at the hand-wash sink in the pizza making area. Soap dispenser was filled during this inspection.
Fuel On, 360 Main St., Luzerne, July 13. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Kelsey’s Corner, 1 N. main St., Ashley, July 13. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food (crabmeat, pork, sauces, pasta, potato, dressings) held at 50-58 degrees F, in the multiple refrigeration units, rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. Foods were discarded. Observed thermometers in multiple refrigeration units to be broken and not accurate. Observed multiple refrigeration units with ambient temperatures of 55-60 degrees F. Units were emptied of TCS foods and will be serviced prior to storage of TCS foods. Observed fraying on the edges of the dough sheeter belt. Observed deeply scored and stained 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 0 ppm, and not 50-100 ppm as required. Equipment will be sanitized in the 3 bay sink until machine can be serviced. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in the beer walk in cooler. Observed a buildup of residue on the surface above the shaft on the mixer. Observed clean food equipment stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).
Tipsy Turtle, Airport, 28 Concord Ave., Avoca, July 14. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Refrigerated, ready-to-eat time temperature control for safety food in the kitchen area, was date-marked by the facility, but was beyond the 7 day use or sell-by date and requires discarding. Discussed date marking procedures and provided guidance document. Food items were discarded. Food (dressings) was held at 60 degrees F, rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. Foods were discarded. Observed small Bain Marie with an ambient temperature of 64 degrees F and not 41 degrees F or below as required. No TCS foods will be stored in unit until it is serviced and appropriate temperature can be maintained.
Valenti’s, 1180 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, July 14. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed a buildup of black mold like residue in the corners of the deflector plate in the ice machine. Observed old food residue on the post can opener blade.
Brown’s Social Club, Inc., 1543 Dawson St., Avoca, July 14. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed rusting shelves in the refrigeration units in the bar area.
Courtyard by Marriott, 879 Schechter Dr., Wilkes Barre, July 14. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Observed 3 half-gallons of fat-free milk in the walk-in cooler past the expiration date. Milk was discarded. Observed clean food equipment stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). Customer self-service single-use tableware is not displayed in a manner so that only the handles are touched by customers.
Holiday House Day Camp, 26 Troxel Switch Rd., Dallas, July 14. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Peppe’s Pizza and Subs, 52 E. Carey St., Plains Township, July 14. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a buildup of rust on the shelves in the walk in cooler. Observed metal mixing bowl to be rusted and pitting and no longer easily cleanable. Back storage area of the facility is very cluttered with boxes and equipment and in need of cleaning.
Bear Creek Camp, 3601 Bear Creek Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, July 17. Regular inspection; in compliance, Violation: Observed 10 rodent-like droppings along the wall in the dry storage area.
Curry Donuts, 733 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, July 17. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries #1715, 280 Mundy St., Wilkes-Barre, July 17. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.
Iron Skillet, 98 Grove St., Dupont, July 17. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed cracked shield on the meat tenderizer. Person in charge stated that replacement part will be ordered. Observed a buildup of residue on the surface around the nozzles on the soda machine. Food employee observed storing clean food equipment while wet and not allowing time for draining and/or air-drying. Observed 5 small flies under equipment in the ware-wash area. Facility is working with their pest control provider to manage pest issues.
Rite Aid #1685, 801 Wyoming Ave., Ste. 9, West Pittston, July 17. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Abe’s Hot Dogs, 780 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, July 18. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Containerized food stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. There is a hole approximately 6” x 6” in a ceiling tile in the soda syrup storage room.
First Hospital Wyoming Valley Coffee Shop/Café, 562 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. July 18. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: No sign or poster posted at the hand wash sink in the prep area to remind food employees to wash their hands.
Liberty Exxon – Subway, 2550 E. End Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, July 18. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a buildup of black residue on the surface behind the nozzles on the self-serve beverage machine. Observed a buildup of slimy residue in the drain on the self-serve beverage machine. Observed clean food equipment stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).
Outback Steakhouse #3923, 547 Arena Hub Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, July 18. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Wok 8 at Mohegan Sun, 1280 Rte. 315, Wilkes Barre, July 18. 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. Cigarettes ashes observed in the sink in the back area. Sink was cleaned. Discussed use of designated area outside the facility for smoking. Food items in multiple refrigeration units stored open with no covering. Items were covered. Observed peeling paint on the shelves in the walk-in cooler. Observed a buildup of food residue on the interior of the microwave. Microwave was cleaned. Observed a buildup of old food residue on the post can opener blade. Can opener was cleaned. Observed a buildup of black residue along the back edges and in the vents on the bain marie. Observed a buildup of flour residue on bulk ingredient containers and on the floor under the containers. Observed clean food equipment stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). Paper towel dispenser empty at the hand-wash sink in the prep area. Paper towels were provided. Observed 5 small flies on the wall in the back area of the facility.
