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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.
Gumba’s Pizza, 102 Pittston Ave., Pittston, March 8. Regular inspection; out of compliance. 9 Violations: The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. No air gap on the drain line of the ice machine. The hand-wash sink in the kitchen area was blocked by a mop bucket and not accessible at all times for employee use. Bucket and mixer were moved. Raw eggs and raw chicken stored above ready-to-eat foods in refrigerators in the kitchen. Eggs and chicken were moved. Marinara sauce was held at 100 degrees F, in the prep area, rather than 135 degrees F or above as required. Sauce was reheated. The chlorine concentration in the sanitizing solution of the three-bay ware-wash sink was 25 ppm, rather than 50-100 ppm as required. Interior of microwave, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Microwave was cleaned. Observed a buildup of grease on ventilation hoods and on the sides of the fryer. Observed a buildup of food residue on exterior surface of microwave. microwave cleaned during inspection
Ice House Pub, 2658 Nuangola Rd., Mountain Top, March 8. Regular inspection; in compliance. 2 Violations: Previously frozen cryo packed tuna thawing in unopened packaging in cooler. Discussed safe handling and referred to instructions on packaging. No thermometers visible in all in use refrigeration units.
Nardone’s Restaurant, 509 Exeter Ave., West Pittston, March 8. Regular inspection; in compliance. 6 Violations: Food utensil in kitchen area observed stored in a container of water which is not maintained at 135 degrees F. Utensil was removed from container. Wire shelves in refrigeration unit in the kitchen observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. shelves cleaned during inspection. Observed a buildup of mold and dust on condenser and interior sides of cooler in the counter area. Observed handles on chest freezer repaired with duct tape which is not easily cleanable. Ladies rest room does not have a self-closing door. Mops are not being hung to air dry.
Rakaczewski’s Potato Pancakes XBD 5255 MFF4, 14 N. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, March 8. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Spencer’s Western Cafe, 756. Route 118, Sweet Valley, March 8. Follow up inspection; in compliance. 1 Violation: Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the reach-in refrigerator and chest freezer.
Taco Bell #28965, 110 S. Wyoming Ave., Kingston, March 8. Regular inspection; in compliance. 2 Violations: Food dispensing utensilinside of the bain marie observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the cheese and the container. The scoop was replaced and the scoop stored with the handle above the cheese. Observed a small amount of pink slime on the inside surface of the ice dispensing chute on the fountain soda machine. The chute was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection.
Lehigh Valley Hospital, 700 E. Broad St., Hazleton, March 9. Regular inspection; in compliance. 3 Violations: No temperature holding thermometer or temperature tapes available to monitor final rinse plate surface temperature in high temperature dish machine. Top exterior surfaces of dish machine have build up of extraneous matter/grime. Hose attached to hose bib in main food prep area does not have a back flow preventer installed between hose and bib.
Lino’s Pizza, 653 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, March 9. Follow up inspection; in compliance. 1 Violation: Observed buckets of sauce stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. The facility has ordered shelving but they have not received them as of the time of this inspection.
Old Beijing Chinese Restaurant, 752 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, March 9. Complaint inspection; in compliance. 3 Violations: Observed containerized food stored directly on the floor in walk-in freezer and a bag containing lettuce on the floor in the kitchen, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. The containers of food were elevated off of the floor during this inspection. Observed in-use knives stored between two pieces of wood on the back the stainless steel prep table. The area is not smooth and easily cleanable. The knife was removed, cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Common cups are stored in bulk food containers and used to dispense bulk ingredients.The cups were removed and replaced with scoops during this inspection.
American Legion Post #76, 305 E. Diamond Ave., Hazleton, March 9. Regular inspection; in compliance. 4 Violations: Three- basin bar sink and three-basin ware-wash sink in front food prep area have buildup of grime/mineral deposits in basins. No combination soap/sanitizer in use in two-basin sink in Legion bar kitchen. Floor covering worn/deteriorated/ missing pieces of surface material in front food prep area. Filters missing in both hood systems in food prep areas.
Andy’s Cafe, 617 Main St., Dupont, March 9. Opening inspection; in compliance. 3 Violations: 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 refrigerator, is not being date marked. Discussed date marking and provided handout. Interior of the microwave, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Microwave cleaned. Observed a buildup of grease and dust on hoods above cooking area.
Angelo’s Italian House, 695 N. Alter St., Hazleton, March 9. Regular inspection; in compliance. 1 Violation: No temperature holding thermometer or temperature tapes available to monitor plate surface temperature in final rinse of high temperature dish machine.
Cuz ‘n Joe’s Place, 291 Main St., Conyngham, March 9. Regular inspection; in compliance. 3 Violations: No beard restraints worn during food prep. Interior surfaces of bar glass washer and main dish washer have buildup of mineral deposits. Low temperature, chemical sanitizing dish machine is showing 0ppm residual chlorine in final rinse. Pick up hose was not fully immersed in chemical. Now producing 50 ppm residual chlorine.
Dollar Tree #2240, 1050 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, March 9. Regular inspection; in compliance. 3 Violations: Observed a buildup of static dust on the fan guard inside of the reach-in Pepsi cooler near the check out line area. The receiving door leading to the outside located in the storage room of the food facility has a gap between the doors and at the floor/door junction (with visible light) and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. The employee restroom is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.
Komensky’s Market, 412 Main St., Duryea, March 9. Regular inspection; out of compliance. 9 Violations: Door located in the back area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. Observed raw meats stored along side ready-to-eat foods in the walk-in cooler and deli cooler. Foods were separated. Bagged spices in retail area are not labeled for ingredients when more than one is present. Labeling on prepackaged potentially hazardous foods are inconsistent. Some labeled some not. Prepackaged hoagie rolls not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, net weight, distributed by statement and/or nutritional facts. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available multiple refrigeration units. Blade on post can opener, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Can opener cleaned. Observed an accumulation of dust on the ceiling in the walk-in cooler.
Bobby O’s Family Restaurant, 300 Main St., Dupont, March 10. Follow up inspection; in compliance. 2 Violations: Hot dogs, raw hamburgers, sliced tomatoes and cheese were held at 49 degrees F, in the bain marie/refrigerator by the cook line, rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. Foods were discarded. Person in charge was directed not to store foods in unit until proper temperature of 41 degrees F or less can be be maintained. 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. Person in charge has registered for appropriate ServSafe course and will provide copy of certificate when completed.
Comfort Inn, 1067 Wilkes-Barre Twp. Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, March 10. Regular inspection; in compliance. 2 Violations: Observed an accumulation of food residue on surface around dispensing nozzles on the juice machine. Surface cleaned. Observed an accumulation of black mold-like residue on the surface behind the ice chute on the ice machine in the hall area. Surface cleaned. Observed single-service, single-use articles in the kitchen and storage closet stored directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor.
Fraternal Order of eagles 1965, 445 W. Eighth St., Wyoming, March 10. Regular inspection; in compliance. 3 Violations: The ladies restroom does not have a self-closing door. Women’s restroom room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. A lidded trash can was placed in the women’s restroom during this inspection. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the men’s restroom area to remind food employees to wash their hands. A sign was placed during this inspection.
Juan Pedro’s Cantina, 921 N. Alter St., Hazleton, March 10. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Lizza’s Mezzo Mezzo, 711 N Main St., Pittston, March 10. Regular inspection; out of compliance. 10 Violations: The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Observed deeply scored cutting board on bain marie not resurfaced or discarded as required. Salad spinner observed in the hand-wash sink, indicating uses other than hand washing. Salad spinner was removed. Toilet rooms do not have a self-closing door. An open employee’s beverage container was observed in pizza prep area. Beverage was removed from area. Raw eggs were stored above ready-to-eat food in the walk-in cooler. Eggs were moved. Scoop stored in the ice bin by beverage machine with handle in contact with the ice. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Observed a buildup of grease on ventilation hoods over cooking area.
