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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.
Super Kings Buffet, 2298 Wilkes-Barre Township Market Place, Wilkes-Barre Township, Oct. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed containers with no handles were being used as scoops in stored bulk ingredients. Containers were removed. Scoop was being stored on top of the ice machine in an area not easily cleaned. Scoop was removed and cleaned and sanitized. Mechanical ware-washing equipment had a mineral buildup observed inside. Observed a buildup of slimy residue on the deflector plate in one ice machine. Machine was shut down and cleaned during inspection. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in the walk-in cooler. Observed a buildup of slimy residue in the drains on the beverage machines.
West Hazleton Elementary and Middle School, 325 North St., Hazleton, Oct. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Bonanza Family Restaurant, 574 Susquehanna Blvd., Hazle Township, Oct 13. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: No hair restraints worn by all food prep employees. Foods stored uncovered in walk-in freezer. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Ceiling tiles and tracts in food prep area are discolored/have buildup of grime. Floor tiles/grout missing in dish room.
Boyer’s Food Market, 999 W. 15th St., Hazleton, Oct. 13. Complaint inspection; in compliance. Violations: Assorted packaged food item containers in area of construction by deli department have buildup of dust. Cleaning commenced during inspection. Food displays containing food in construction area are exhibiting dust film from construction. Food display cleaning commenced during inspection. Inadequate protection is in place in construction area in retail/deli section of facility. Protection was being installed during inspection.
Family Dollar Store #9342, 183 South St., Freeland, Oct. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Harveys Lake Fire & Ambulance Company MFF4, P.O. Box 56 Lakeside Drive, Harveys Lake, Oct. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Italian American Club, 126 Oak St., Pittston, Oct. 13. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Parente’s Italian Restaurant, 193 N. Main St., Pittston, Oct. 14. 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. Multiple working containers of cleaners were stored on shelving alongside food and equipment. Containers were moved. Observed fruit flies in four bottles of liquor in the bar area. Bottles were discarded. Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low-temperature sanitizing dishwasher was 0 parts per million, and not 50-100 ppm as required. Facility called to have dishwasher service. Three-bay sink will be used for ware-wash until dishwasher is serviced. Observed a buildup of sticky food residue in the three-bay sinks and the drain in the bar area. Observed a buildup of mold-like residue on wall under ware-wash area. Observed an accumulation of food debris under equipment in the kitchen area. Observed three small flies under dishwasher.
Two Italian Guys, 1 W. Diamond Ave., Hazleton, Oct. 14. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Floor tiles worn/missing pieces in food prep areas.
Charlie’s Cafe, 79 N. Main St., Ashley, Oct. 24. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.
Bimbo Bakeries USA Inc., 170 Mundy St., Wilkes-Barre. Complaint inspection; in compliance.
Just R’s Pierogies, 783 Metcalf St., Wilkes-Barre, Oct. 25. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed 20 rodent-like droppings on floor along wall in the storage room. Person in charge cleaned area during inspection.
Rodano’s Express, 918 Exeter Ave., Exeter, Oct. 25. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Handles on two knives are pitted and warped and no longer easily cleanable. Observed laminate counter top being used as a food prep direct cutting surface in the food facility and is not durable under this usage condition. Interior of microwave, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Person in charge cleaned microwave during inspection.
The Morris Family Restaurant, 72 Poplar St., Rte. 11, West Nanticoke, Oct. 25. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.
J Zapata II Mff4, 1130 Rte. 93, Drums, Oct. 26. Opening inspection; in compliance.
Jumbo China Buffet, 1057 N. Church St., Hazleton, Oct. 26. Complaint inspection; in compliance.
LIU 18, Alternative Learning Center, 33 W. Carey St., Plains Township, Oct. 26. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.
Parente’s Italian Restaurant, 193 N. Main St., Pittston. Oct. 26. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.
Sabatini’s Pizza, 1925 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, Oct. 26. Complaint inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility using rodent bait placed in bait stations which are not covered and tamper resistant. Uncovered baits were removed and discarded. Observed single-service, single-use articles stored directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor. Observed 150-plus rodent-like droppings in the back warehouse area and basement area of the facility. Facility has a pest control provider and is working to control the problem.
Sorrento Restaurant Pizzeria, 462 Centre St., Freeland, Oct. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food containers stored on floor in walk-in coolers. Surface coating on shelving in bain marie is deteriorated/flaking off.
Thomas’ Family Market Foodtown, Five Mountain Mall, Shickshinny, Oct. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food containers stored on floor in walk-in coolers. Surface coating on shelving in bain marie is deteriorated/flaking off.
Tom’s Kitchen, 656 Rte. 93, Sugarloaf, Oct. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: No hair/beard restraints worn during food prep. No thermometer/temperature tapes (160 degrees F) available to monitor final rinse plate surface temperature in high temperature dish machine. Top exterior surfaces of dish machine have buildup of grime.
Antojitos Dominicanos MFF3, 229 Pine St., Hazleton, Oct. 26. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.
Antonio’s Pizza Original, LLC, 45 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston, Oct. 26. Change of owner inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed a buildup of syrup residue on the surfaces around the nozzles and the drain on the self-serve beverage machine. Customer self-service single-use tableware is not displayed in a manner so that only the handles are touched by customers.
Crossing Vineyard Wine and Cheese Shop, Mohegan Sun, 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, Oct. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Eli’s Place, 139 N. Broad St., Hazleton, Oct. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Interior surface coating on microwave is deteriorated/not easily cleanable. Wire shelving in walk-in cooler is rusting. No thermometers visible in all in-use refrigeration units. Bilco basement door is exhibiting an approximately 2-inch gap along lower sealing edges.
Elixir Lobby Bar, Mohegan Sun, 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes Barre, Oct. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed a buildup of slimy residue on the deflector plate in the ice machine. Person in charge cleaned plate during inspection.
III Guys Restaurant & Sports Bar, 51 S. Wyoming Ave., Edwardsville, Oct. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: In-use ice scoop stored directly on the top outside surface of the ice machine in the kitchen area. The ice scoop was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Staff instructed to place scoop on a clean/sanitized surface such as a tray or inside a container. Observed an accumulation of grease and dust on the hood vent above the fryers.
