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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.
Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill #7566, 265 Mundy St., Wilkes-Barre, May 23. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. New cutting boards have been ordered. Mechanical ware-washing equipment had a slimy buildup observed inside the exhaust vents.
Torony’s Giant Hot Dogs, 1325 N. River St., Wilkes Barre, May 23. Opening inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed a buildup of dust on fan guard in one refrigeration unit. Unit will be cleaned prior to use.
Dragon City, 67 Country Club Shopping Center, Dallas, May 24. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Chicken in the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer stored open with no covering. Both were covered during this inspection. Pork food was held at 65 degrees F, in bags in the prep area, rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. It was determined that the pork was out of the refrigeration unit for approximately 90 minutes. The bags of pork were placed back into the walk-in cooler during this inspection. Observed an accumulation of a white flour-like substance on the lower shelf (a non-food contact surface) of the stainless steel prep table in front of the three-compartment sink and it is in need of cleaning. Observed a buildup of splatter on the stainless steel wall located behind the hand-wash and prep sink. These areas are in need of cleaning. Observed dried food splatter on the stainless steel wall behind the bulk ingredient containers in the prep area. The wall is in need of cleaning. Hood filters have a buildup of grease and are in need of cleaning. A company is scheduled to come to the facility and clean the hood next week.
Hops & Barleys, 131 Main St., Luzerne, May 24. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food in the reach-in freezer in the food prep area stored open with no covering. The food was covered during this inspection. Loose rubber door gaskets observed on the door of the walk-in freezer. Observed deeply scored cutting board on the large bain marie not resurfaced or discarded as required. The inside surfaces of both soda gun holsters located at the bar, a food contact surface, were observed to have a buildup of a tan yeast-like residue and were not clean to sight and touch. Both holsters were cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Observed a buildup of static dust on the fan guards of the three-door True reach-in beer cooler in the bar area. Floor in walk-in cooler is deteriorated concrete and not easily cleanable. Person in charge stated that a new walk-in cooler installation has been delayed by the contractor. They are in the process of coordinating a refrigeration truck, contractor availability, etc., to replace the walk-in cooler. The concrete slab has been poured. He stated that they are hoping to have new cooler installed by the end of June. The floor of the dry-storage area just outside the dish-washing area of the food facility is dirty, dusty and with spilled uncooked pasta and in need of cleaning.
China King, 2800 N. Memorial Hwy., Dallas, May 25. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Crab Ragoon and chicken in the freezers stored open with no covering. Chicken in bottom portion of bain marie stored uncovered. All food items were covered during this inspection. Common bowls without handles observed buried in bulk food ingredient storage bins. The bowls were removed during this inspection. Observed containerized food stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler, rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Facility is re-using soy sauce buckets intended for single use to store other food items. Soiled pot and ladle observed in the hand-wash sink, indicating uses other than hand washing. Both were removed and placed into ware-wash sink for washing and sanitizing during this inspection. Observed dust/dirt dangling from the protective light screens above bain marie and prep table.
China III, 49 Broad St., Suite 1, Pittston, May 25. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Observed multiple in-use food ingredient containers not labeled with the common name. Containers were labeled. Plastic containers with no handles observed stored in bulk food ingredients. Containers were removed and replaced with handled scoops. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Old food residue and a utensil observed in the hand-wash sink, indicating uses other than hand washing. Observed a buildup of grease on ventilation hood and surfaces above cooking area.
CVS Pharmacy #1594, 16 Church St., Dallas, May 25. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a buildup of static dust on the fan guards in the walk-in cooler. 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 inspection.
Jackett’s Lunch, 22 S. Main St., Pittston, May 25. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: 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 to sanitize equipment in sink until dishwasher is serviced. 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 was cleaned. Interior of microwave, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Microwave was cleaned. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid. Person in charge to register for class and provide copy of certificate to sanitarian when received.
KB’s Coffee House, 206 N. Main St., Shavertown, May 25. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible in all refrigeration/freezer units. The owner is scheduled to take the exam for the Food Manager’s Certification on June 13, 2016. The owner will email to this inspector or fax/mail to the Region 3 office a copy of the certificate once received. The facility has 90 days to have an employee obtain a certification.
Pittston Popcorn, 8 Cron St., Pittston, May 25. Opening inspection; in compliance.
Metro Deli, 98 Grove St., Dupont, May 26. Opening inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Three working containers in deli area, used for storing chemicals/cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not properly marked with the common name of the chemical. Person in charge is not monitoring closely enough the deli operation as evidenced by the violations observed. Au jus, which was cooled, was only reheated to 117 degrees F for hot holding and not 165 degrees F for 15 seconds as required. Cream soup, which was cooled, was only reheated to 51 degrees F for hot holding and not 165 degrees F for 15 seconds as required. Manual ware-washing sink behind deli area, observed with buildup of grease and food residue and not cleaned before use, and frequently throughout the day. Deli meat slicer, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Slicer was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Half pans in clean storage above ware-wash sink behind deli area observed to have food residue and were not clean to sight and touch. Water temperature at manual ware-wash sink in deli area only reached 88 degrees F after water was run for extended period of time. The hand-wash sink located in the deli area does not have water at a temperature of at least 100 degrees F. Sharpening stone observed in the hand-wash sink, indicating uses other than hand washing. Personal items, cell phone and speaker, stored on deli slicer rather than in designated area for personal items.
Iron Skillet, 98 Grove St., Dupont, May 26. Opening inspection; in compliance. Violations: Bulk flour food storage containers, in the main kitchen area, are not labeled with the common name of the food. Can opener in main kitchen area is creating metal slivers and not cutting can surface effectively. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Mechanical ware-washing equipment had a buildup of food residue and grease observed inside. Several spray nozzles were also not completely clear of food debris. Buffalo chopper blade, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Buildup of grease droplets on under side of salad prep table. Droplets were directly above uncovered plastic food containers. Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of old food debris. Observed buildup of old food residue on upper surface under mixing auger of Hobart floor mixer. Middle walk-in cooler wall surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of mold-like residue. Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil.Observed buildup of static dust and grease on exterior of hood ventilation system above back cook line grill in the main kitchen and interior fire extinguishing piping. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink on the cook line to remind food employees to wash their hands. Paper towel dispenser empty at the hand-wash sink in the cook line area.
Groceries Plus, 1003 N. Vine St., Hazleton, May 27. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Person(s) in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. Employee observed re-using previously worn, single-use food service gloves. Food containers are stored on floor in walk-in cooler. Hot breakfast sandwiches in hot box are 120 degrees F product center. Person in charge states items were in box for approximately three hours. If product temperature cannot be maintained at 135 degrees F or above, time is to be used as a safety barrier. Items will be disposed in a half hour. Assorted meats/cheeses in deli case are 55 degrees F product center. Items were in the case for an undetermined amount of time since the previous day. All items were voluntarily disposed due to time/temperature abuse. Commercially processed, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food, located in the retail refrigerator, and held more than 24 hours, are not being marked with the date it was taken from freezer and marked for seven-day usage. Deli case is showing 58 degrees F ambient air temperature. Case was emptied and is not to be used until holding 41 degrees F minimum. Fan guards in walk-in cooler have buildup of static dust.
