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The following are recent Luzerne County restaurant inspection reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. According to 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 areas listed on the state’s website, and may not correspond to the municipalities in which facilities are physically located.
Barnes & Noble, 7 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Ice scoop for ice maker was stored on top of ice machine instead of separate container.
Dunkin Donuts, 28 N. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Subway’s, 41 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Sunoco Food Mart, 1245 Wyoming Ave., Exeter: Follow-up inspection, in compliance. Violations: One reach in refrigeration unit observed with an ambient temperature of 56°F and not 41°F or less as required for storage of TCS foods. Unit will not be used to store TCS foods until appropriate temperature can be maintained.
Amigon’s Bakery, 445 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: The food facility does not have a handwash sink located in the food prep/warewashing area. Loose rubber door gaskets observed on the upright refrigeration unit. Roof above the baking oven is leaking, ceiling tiles stained with holes. Stove top covered with spills, food particles, debris. Observed rodent activity in rear storage area of bakery.
Angelo’s Pizza, 445 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspections, in compliance.
Chester Street Elementary School, 110 Chester St., Kingston: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: The post can opener blade, a food contact surface, was observed to have dried food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The can opener was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection.
China Green, 636 State Route 93, Conyngham: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed facility reusing grocery bags for food storage. 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. Discussed date marking and provided guidance document. Food in the walk-in cooler and bain-marie area stored open with no covering. Foods were covered. Observed bag of onion stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required.
Don Beto Deli & Grocery, 516 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre: Opening inspection, in compliance.
Dymonds Bakery, 251 N. Memorial Hwy., Shavertown: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food Facility Person in Charge not able to provide documentation that bagged teas are from an approved source. The facility voluntarily pulled the teas from the shelf. Prepackaged breads, sticky buns, rolls, cupcakes, etc., are not labeled to clearly indicate any “Big 8” allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement. Prepackaged breads, sticky buns, rolls, cup cakes etc. are not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, net weight, distributed by statement and/or nutritional facts. The post can opener blade, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The can opener blade was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection.
Frank’s Newsstand, 37 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: No thermometer in small dairy refrigerator.
Garden Chen, 529 Centre St., Freeland: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Facility is reusing grocery bags for food storage in the freezers. Food employees observed in prep area 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 walk-in cooler, is not being date marked. Discussed date marking procedure and provided guidance document. Bulk food ingredient storage containers not labeled with the common name of the food. Containers were labeled. Food utensils in prep area observed stored in a container of water which is not maintained at 135°F. Observed bags of onion and carrots stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Bags were moved off the ground. Facility observed using a non-food grade plastic tub to prepare foods. PIC directed to only use food grade plastic containers. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required.
Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, 25 Church St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food facility inspection indicates evidence of insect activity in storage room and rear dining area, but facility does have a pest control program. EHRLICH was there on 1/8/19.
King of King’s Gyros, 37 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Moe’s Southwest Grill, Bear Creek Commons, Wilkes-Barre: Complaint inspection, in compliance.
New China, 526 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: A food employee was observed preparing food with bare hands.
Peter’s Deli Inc., 498 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Quick Food Mart Inc., 544 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Coffee counter and counter doors are dirty, stained from coffee spills. The walk-in cooler, back stock room area and the entire store is extremely dirty, dusty and in need of cleaning.
Rite Aid, 33 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Santa Paolina Club of Wilkes-Barre, 312 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Schuyler Ave. Elementary School, 450 N. Schuyler Ave., Kingston: Regular inspection, in compliance.
The Garlic Knot, 330 Centre St., Freeland: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: An open employee’s beverage container was observed in prep area, a food preparation area. Chicken observed thawing at room temperature in the sink, which is not an approved thawing method. Observed single-service, single-use articles (pizza boxes) stored directly on the floor and not 6 inches above the floor.
Toque De Sazon, 434 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Wyoming Valley West High School, 150 Wadham St., Plymouth: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Ceiling tile missing in the corner to the right of the roll-up receiving door and needs replacement. Wall in the to the right of the walk-in freezer has a hole or is broken and in need of repair.
Wyoming Valley West Middle School, 201 Chester St., Kingston: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Berwick Area Middle School, 1100 Evergreen Drive, Berwick: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: The edge of the deflector plate inside of the ice machine, a food contact surface, was observed to have a pink slime-like residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The deflector plate was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection.
Castro’s Subs and Suds, 442 W. Broad St., Hazleton: Type 2 follow-up inspection, in compliance.
City Market & Café, 25 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Large bag of potatoes stored on floor in storage room. Hood filters above grill and fryers have a heavy accumulation of grease and soil build up. All bottom shelves inside cold hold units and freezers have an accumulation of food particle and food stain build up.
Curry Donuts, 81 N. Main St., Shickshinny: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Curry Donuts, 487 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Dollar General No. 7096, 1950 Wyoming Ave., Exeter: Type 2 follow-up inspection, out compliance. Violations: Observed one live mouse in the back area of the facility. Mouse was discarded. Potential rodent harborage areas inside the food facility observed in the back area due to an accumulation of clutter and inaccessible areas. Observed evidence of nesting activity in a case of paper towels. Observed too numerous to count rodent-like droppings in multiple areas of the facility (on shelves in sales area, under shelves in sales area, on cases of non food items in the back area, on the floor in the back area). Potential rodent nesting areas in the back as indicated by the presence of a live mouse found on a rack of bags of potting soil and charcoal. Observed eight rodent chewed bags of chips on the shelves in the sales area. Bags were discarded.
El Zocalo, 21 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: frozen wraps in the freezer area stored open with no covering. Facility not using a wash bucket with soap and sanitizer in it to clean food prep tables and counter tops after use.
Hazle Beer & Variety, 613 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Several raw animal foods were stored above ready to eat foods in the refrigerator.
Hazle Mart No. 4301, 532 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Hazleton Food Supermarket, 57-59 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton: Follow-up inspection, in compliance. Violations: dried meat residue observed on the meat grinder beater bar.
Nescopeck Elementary School, 315 Dewey St., Nescopeck: Regular inspection, in compliance.
New Great Wall II, 19 N. River St., Plains Township: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed plastic container with no handle being used as a scoop in bulk ingredients. Observed a build up of food residue on the non-food contact areas on the deli slicer. Observed a build up of old food residue around the hinges on the bain-marie.
Salem Elementary School, 810 E. 10th St., Berwick: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Shanghai Chinese Restaurant, 2450 Memorial Hwy., Dallas: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: There is a small piece of the metal molding missing at the wall ceiling juncture in the corner by the walk -in cooler, leaving a open space to the area above the ceiling.One ceiling tile with corner broken in the back room of the facility near the rear door, and needs replaced.
The Lunch Box Delicatessen, 295 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming: Change of owner inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.
Uncle Joe’s Pizza & Subs, 230 Hwy. 315, Pittston: Follow-up inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid. PIC will email copy of valid certificate.
Antojitos Dominicanos No. 2 MFF3, 550 Alter St., Hazleton: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Barron’s Service Station, 1130 Rte. 93, Drums: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Bone’s Cafe, 1110 Wilkes-Barre Township Blvd., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Cafe Toscano, 1 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Circles on the Square, 9 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Time in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready to eat potentially hazardous foods without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food. There were no thermometer’s inside self serve cold hold units front of store.
Dollar General No. 10473, 4076 Memorial Hwy., Dallas: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: The left receiving door located in the rear of the store of the food facility has a gap, with visible light at the floor /door junction, and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.
Frankie’s Pizzeria, 37 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Light bulb inside the walk in cooler is not shielded or shatter proof. Employee toilet room does not have a self-closing door.
Holy Redeemer High School, 139 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre: Complaint inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent activity in the rear storage area. School does have pest control company baiting for rodents , last treatment was 1/4/2019.
La Familia Deli & Grocery Inc., 420 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: deli slicer not being cleaned between use. Food in the deli case area stored open with no covering. Deli case door handle needs replacing.
Lake-Lehman SHS, Old Route 114, Lehman: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Lake-Noxen El SCH, RR 3 Box 270, Harvey’s Lake: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: The post can opener blade, a food contact surface, was observed to have dried food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The can opener was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. The food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils did not reach 160 degrees F during the sanitizing cycle of the high temperature dishwasher as evidenced by the failure of the temperature indicator. The facility placed a call to have the machine serviced. The person in charge has agreed to wash all equipment and utensils etc. in the three bay sink until the dish machine is serviced, functioning properly, and the surface temperature of the equipment and utensils reach 160* F or above. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair – observed the water faucet at the 3 bay sink in the dish washing area is leaking.
Lehman-Jackson EL SCH, Market St., Lehman: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Plumbing system not maintained in good repair – observed faucet at 3 bay sink leaking.
Paris Mart, 465 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: The handwash sink was blocked by boxes and not accessible at all times for employee use.
Revello’s Old Forge Pizza, 165 W. Union St., Kingston: Complaint inspection, in compliance.
Subway #31303, 2150 Wilkes Barre Twp Market Place, Wilkes-Barre: Follow-up inspection, in compliance.
Tattle Tales, 338 Buck Blvd., White Haven: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Unused equipment and construction materials scattered throughout unused kitchen. Pink mold like build up observed on ice machine divider.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets #157, 170 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets #259, 616 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Coffee creamers spilled inside of creamer display. Coffee Units soiled with coffee residue above coffee filter basket. Desert Case contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets No. 310, 140 Wilkes Barre Blvd., Regular inspection, in compliance.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets LLC No. 158, 1037 N. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Center City Cafe, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: The owner or any of the employees are not Servsafe certified. Sliced deli items in top compartment of Baine Marie ( Turkey, Ham, Lettuce ) were stored above chill line. Food stains, grease, & dried food particles on front of Baine Marie,& garbage can. Food facility does not have a certified Servsafe owner or employee at this facility. Soap & hand drying towels was not available at the handwash sink in the kitchen area.
Chick-Fil-A, 20 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in kitchen area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers.
Fuel On, 6 W. Butler Dr., Drums: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food facility is not removing dead pests frequently, as evidenced by observed dead rodent on floor in the food storage area of the food facility. Corrected on site. Note: Facility did not show any other signs of rodent issues. Facility has a pest control program in place. Floor surfaces along the base of the walls in the dry storage area of the food facility is dusty, and in need of cleaning. Observed ten rodent like excretions on floor surface in the dry storage area. Corrected on site. Women’s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. Note Lids have been removed from containers.
Harvest Buffet, 26 East End Center, Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, out of compliance. Violations: An open employee’s beverage container was observed in cooking area, a food preparation area. Imitation crab meat observed thawing at room temperature in the sushi area which is not an approved thawing method. Observed food residue and pooled water in food pans in the clean equipment storage shelves. Observed old food residue on the post can opener blades. The Person in Charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Observed a build up of residue on the handle at the breading station. Observed a build up of residue around the nozzles on the self serve beverage machines. Observed clean food equipment in area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying. Clams and sauces were held at 129°F, in the hot hold units, rather than 135°F or above as required. Foods were discarded. Observed plastic containers with no handles being used as scoops and stored in bulk ingredients. Observed sink leaking in the warewash area.
Juniors of Plains, 639 N. Main St., Follow-up inspection, in compliance.
Mountain Top Active Adult Center, 460 S. Main Rd., Mountain Top: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Mountain Top Beer To Go LLC, 36 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.
Rite Aid No. 4990, 2 Kirby Ave., Mountain Top: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Ross EL SCH, 5148 Main Rd., Sweet Valley: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: The hand wash sink located in the prep area does not have water at a temperature of at least 100°F. Spoke with the Person in Charge, the Principal, and Maintenance Director and it was determined there was a part on the boiler that was not functioning. The Maintenance Director called to have the company come check the boiler. he can’t come until 1/8/19.The facility is done with food prep for the day. The facility has equipment that is too large to go through the dish machine. The facility has designated one bay of the 3 bay sink for hand washing and purchased a detergent/sanitizer combination for use in the other two bays of the 3 bay sink to wash equipment until the boiler is repaired. The Maintenance Director is to notify this inspector tomorrow once it is determined how long it will take to repair the boiler that provides water to the hand wash and 2 bay sink. Inspector to follow up.
Stephanie’s Tavern, 80 S. Main St., Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed webbing on the ceiling in the kitchen area. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available in the refrigerator in the kitchen. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Observed a build up of food residue in the interior of the microwave. Observed a build up of mold like residues on the interior of the ice machine.
Subway No. 62145, 6 West Butler Dr., Drums: Regular inspection, in compliance.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets No. 196, 198 N. Penn Ave., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: 6 packages of hard boiled eggs and 4 packages of hot pockets a potentially hazardous ready to eat food requiring date-marking, in the self-serve area, was beyond the date-marking and requires discarding. Pulled 2 gallon of outdated fat free milk from self-serve refrigeration unit.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets No. 155, 335 E. Main St., Wilkes-Barre: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: The food facility does not maintain Food Employee Certification records as required. Manager is scheduled to take test this week.Thermometers for ensuring proper food temperatures are not calibrated and/or functioning properly.Pulled 4 1/2 gallons of outdated 2% milk in self serve cooler. Manager took to back to be put in returns. plastic ice dispenser was observed with a black substance. Cleaned by manager at time of inspection.
Valley Mart No. 2, 95 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top: Regular inspection, in compliance. Violations: Observed 3 pints of chocolate milk with a sell by date of 01/06/2019. Milk was voluntarily discarded during this inspection.
Victoria’s Candies, 51 N. Laurel St., Hazleton: Regular inspection, in compliance.
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