Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

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.

City Market & Cafe, 25 Public Square, Wilkes Barre, May 16. Opening inspection; in compliance. Violation: Women’s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.

Dukus’ Cafe, 254 Pringle St., Kingston, May 16. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violations: The door located at the landing of the basement steps and leading to the outside, has a gap with visible light at is base and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. The gap is approximately 2 inches by the width of the door. The facility does not have a current food employee certification. The facility will have an employee register and take the the food employee certification course which is good for a five-year term as soon as possible but within 90 days. The owner is to register and pay for the course within the next 10 days. The owner will send proof of registration to this inspector within the next 10 days by emailing proof to this inspector or fax/mail proof to the Region 3 Field Office within the next 10 days. Once certificate is obtained the owner will send copy of certificate via the same means. Owner to try and get into a course being offered on June 1 or June 13 if there are still openings for the class.

Golden Star, 430 N. Main St., Pittston, May 16. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food in the walk-in cooler stored open with no covering. Foods were covered. Multiple in-use food ingredient containers, in the prep/cooking area, not labeled with the common name of the food. Containers labeled. Food utensil in prep area observed stored in a container of water which is not maintained at 135°F. Utensil removed from water. Observed plastic containers with no handle being used as scoops and stored in bulk ingredients. Containers were removed. Observed food employee preparing raw foods in a container placed on top of a trash can. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guards in two refrigeration units. Observed a buildup of food residues in corners and along edges in the bain marie. Observed a buildup of food residue on the non-food contact areas of the meat slicer. Observed single-service, single-use articles stored in dining area directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor. Observed webbing on ceiling above the dry storage area. Observe a buildup of food residues and grime on floor under equipment in the back area.

Lighthouse, 1019 Shoemaker Ave., West Wyoming, May 16. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a collection of liquid and a tan yeast like residue inside of the soda gun holster located at the bar. The holster was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Observed a buildup of grease on the stainless steel on wall behind stove and fryers. Observed a buildup of a tan yeast like substance on the ceiling surface and the piping inside of the walk-in Keg cooler in the basement. Observed a buildup of static dust on the fan guard in the walk-in keg cooler in the basement. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the men’s restroom to remind food employees to wash their hands. A sign was posted during this inspection. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid. The facility will register and pay for someone to take the course that is good for a 5-year term within the next 10 days. The owner will email to this inspector or fax/mail proof of registration and payment with in the next 10 days. The facility will obtain a food employee certification with in 90 days and email a copy of the certificate to this inspector or fax/mail a copy of the certificate to the Region 3 Field Office with in 90 days.

New Great Wall II, 19 N. River St., Plains Twp., May 16. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed medicines stored on shelf with ingredients above prep area. Medicines were moved. Multiple bulk food ingredient storage containers, in the back area, were not labeled with the common name of the food. Containers were labeled. Food dispensing utensil in bulk food ingredients observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food. Utensils were removed from containers. 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 and provided handout on date marking. Observed an accumulation of food debris under shelves in the under counter refrigeration unit. Observed large pans used for thawing foods in sink stored on the floor under the prep table. Pans were removed from floor.

Rite Aid No. 11075, 120 Laurel Plaza, Pittston, May 16. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed an accumulation of dust on the fan guards in multiple refrigeration units. Observed an accumulation of old food residue on bottom of dairy cooler. Lack of a back flow prevention device on the water line at the utility sink.

King’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, 49 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, May 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Clean ice scoop is stored on unsanitized top surfaces of ice machine in basement bar. Food containers on floor in walk-in freezer. No chemical test strips available to monitor chemical sanitizing dish machine.

Michael Mootz Candies Ice Cream Trailer, 1246 Sans Souci Pkwy. Hanover Twp., May 17. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Mountain Top Six Packs to Go, LLC, 195 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, May 17. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Nelly Travel Plaza, LLC, 3765 Nuangola Rd., Mountain Top, May 17. Complaint inspection; in compliance. Violations: No hair restraints worn during food prep. Bagged ice made in establishment and offered for retail sale is not labeled for point of manufacture. No thermometers visible in all in use refrigeration units. Three-compartment sink has buildup of mineral deposits in basins.

Serpico’s Pizza, 220 E. End Centre, Wilkes-Barre, May 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed on front service line area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat lettuce in walk-in cooler Observed wet wiping cloths under pizza counter, not being stored in sanitizer solution. Observed lighted menu signs and back splash behind front grill area, with an accumulation of static dust, and food residue on non-food contact surfaces. Observed back loading screen door is torn/has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. Ceiling tiles broken with holes in the kitchen area, and need replaced. Observed buildup of static dust in air vent above pizza oven in need of cleaning.

Turkey Hill No. 249, 7 Airport, Rd., Hazle Twp., May 17. Follow-up inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Person(s) in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. Assorted time/temperature controlled for safety deli meats/cheeses, cooked chicken patties and chicken salad held in bain marie for an undetermined amount of time are in the temperature range between 46 degrees F and 50 degrees F product center. All items were voluntarily disposed due to time/temperature abuse. In use bain marie is showing 48 degrees F ambient air temperature inside. Unit was emptied of time/temperature controlled foods. Unit not to be use until able to maintain 41 degrees F minimum temperature in unit. Florescent light tube covers in front of 2-door cooler are out of end caps.

Whipped Sweet Shoppe, 465 S. Poplar St., Hazleton, May 17. Opening inspection; in compliance.

Abraham’s Creek Ice Cream, 835 Shoemaker Ave., West Wyoming, May 17. Opening inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility does not have available proper sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Facility has chlorine test strips and is using a Quat sanitizer. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the employee restroom to remind food employees to wash their hands. A sign was placed during this inspection.

Bar Louie – Mohegan Sun Casino, 1280 Rte. 315, Wilkes-Barre, May 17. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Bear Creek Deli, 1099 Bear Creek Blvd., Wilkes Barre, May 17. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.

Burger King No. 18132, 392 Rt. 315 Pittston, May 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available in 2 refrigeration units. Observed a buildup of syrup residue on surface around nozzle on the self-serve beverage machine.

Chalet Restaurant & Catering, 43 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, May 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Surface coating on racks in walk-in cooler is deteriorated/rusting. No temperature holding thermometer or temperature tapes (160 degrees) are available to monitor final rinse plate surface temperature in high temperature dish machine. Side entry screen doors to food prep area are not tight fitting to door frame. Fan guard in walk-in cooler has buildup of static dust/mold.

China II, 58 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, May 17. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Person(s) in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. Food containers and bag of onions are stored on floor in food prep area and walk-in cooler. Magnetic knife strip in use has deteriorated/rusting knife contact areas. Surface coating on wire shelving in walk-in cooler is deteriorated/rusting. No thermometers visible in all in-use refrigeration units. Wire racks in walk-in cooler have buildup of mold on food contact surfaces and frame work. Floor tiles missing/worn in food prep area. Florescent light tubes above front food prep area are not shielded. Paper towel dispenser empty at the hand-wash sink in the food prep area. Floor area underneath woks has buildup of grease/grime. Wall behind small chest freezer in store room by walk in cooler has accumulation of cob webbing/trapped insects.

Country Junction, 251 Mundy St., Wilkes-Barre, May 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Women’s rest room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the employee restrooms to remind food employees to wash their hands.

Dunkin’ Donuts, 1190 N. Church St., Hazle Twp., May 18. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Harry’s Hot Dog Hideaway, 1010 Winters Ave., Hazleton, May 19. Change of owner inspection; in compliance.