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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.
Bobby O’s Family Restaurant, 300 Main St., Dupont, March 9. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed clean food equipment stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).
Lizza’s Mezzo Mezzo, 711 N. Main St., Pittston, March 9. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Observed small plastic containers with no handles being used as scoops and stored in bulk ingredients. Shelves in the walk-in cooler are rusting and no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Post can opener blade was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Person in charge cleaned blade at time of inspection. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard under the bain marie in the kitchen. Observed a buildup of dust on the storage racks in the storage room. Lights are not shielded or shatter proof over the ware-wash area and in the walk-in cooler.
Polish American Organization, 97 Martin St., Wilkes-Barre, March 9. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a buildup of mold-like residue on the deflector plate in the ice machine. Person in charge cleaned plate during inspection. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in the walk in beer cooler. Observed a buildup of black residue in multiple sinks in the bar area.
St. Maria Goretti Parish Center, 42 Redwood Drive, Laflin, March 9. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Shelves in the refrigerator are rusting and no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair – observed leaking faucet and drain at the hand-wash sink. Observed a buildup of black residue on the floor and wall under the mechanical dish washer.
Wendy’s #302, 55 S. Wyoming Ave., Edwardsville, March 9. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations; The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. The facility recently remodeled dining room and does not have certificate hung back up as of the time of this inspection. Facility to hang certification before reopening. The receiving door located in the rear of the food facility has 2 small gaps and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. The maintenance man just applied this floor sweep but 2 small gaps remain. Maintenance to repair. Floor and baseboard in the corner behind the water heater with dirt and webbing and in need of cleaning. The area was cleaned during this inspection.
Hunlock Creek Tavern, 7 Old Tavern Road, Hunlock Creek, March 10. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Valley Subs Plus, 5355 Main Road Sweet Valley, March 10. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation; Food facility is using an approved non-public water system, but does not have current laboratory testing results for Nitrates and nitrates. Last test for Nitrates and nitrites was completed in January 2016. Owner to obtain sample for Nitrate /Nitrites and take with the monthly water test samples for coliform and e-coli next week to Kirby Health Center. The owner will then email, or text this inspector or Fax /mail the results of the Nitrate/ Nitrites to the Region 3 office by 3/28/17.
Bill’s Cafe, 32 Old Lake Road, Harveys Lake, March 13. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Denny’s, 416 Rt. 315, Pittston, March 13. Complaint inspection; in compliance.
Golden Star, 1019 Main St., Avoca, March 13. 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. 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 will provide copy of updated certificate when received. Food employees eating in prep area as evidenced by observed partially consumed food in the prep area. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Food in the multiple refrigeration units stored open with no covering. Food utensil in prep area observed stored in a container of water which is not maintained at 135 degrees F. Utensil was placed in a clean container. Linens and/or napkins being used in to cover foods during storage in walk-in cooler. Soup was held at 113 degrees F, in the hot hold area, rather than 135 degrees F or above as required. Soup was reheated. Food facility is reusing plastic shopping bags for food storage in the chest freezer. Observed a heavy buildup of food residue on the shelves in the walk-in cooler. Observed a buildup of food residues and debris under equipment and along walls. Observed 100 + rodent like droppings under sink and along walls by the grease trap in the back area of the kitchen.
Castillo’s Bakery, 20 N. Vine St., Hazleton, March 16. Complaint inspection; in compliance.
Comfort Inn, 1067 Wilkes-Barre Twp. Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, March 16. 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. Observed a mold-like substance in one bottle of liquor in the bar area. Bottle was discarded. Eggs and milk held at 44 and 49 degrees F, in the refrigeration unit in the prep area, rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. Foods were discarded. Observed a refrigeration unit in the prep area with an ambient temperature of 49 degrees F and not 41 degrees F or less as required. No TCS foods will be held in unit until proper temperature can be maintained. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Observed an accumulation of black residue on the surface behind the ice chute on the ice machine in the hall area. Person in charge cleaned surface. Equipment observed in the hand-wash sink, indicating uses other than hand washing. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the bar area to remind food employees to wash their hands. No soap or paper towels available at the hand-wash sink in the bar area.
Dollar Tree #1692, 562 W. Broad St., Hazleton, March 16. Complaint inspection; in compliance. Violations: Several ceiling tiles in retail area are water marked.
Gumba’s Pizza, 102 Pittston Ave., Pittston, Follow-up inspection; in compliance.
McDonald’s #25283, 306 Route 315, Pittston, March 16. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: Scoop being stored in the ice machine with handle buried beneath the ice. Scoop was moved. The hot water used for sanitizing in the mechanical ware-washing machine did not reach 180 degrees F (or 165 degrees F for stationary rack). Facility will use 3- compartment sink to sanitize equipment until unit is serviced. The hand-wash sink located in the prep area does not have water at a temperature of at least 100 degrees F. Three-compartment sink has a hose attachment that is hanging below the flood rim of the sink and not an appropriate air gap.
Mountain Fresh, Inc., 2203 Route 118, Hunlock Creek, March 16. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Bacon, egg and cheese and sausage egg and cheese sandwiches in hot hold unit at the deli dept. held at 120 degrees F, rather than 135 degrees F or above as required. It was determined that the sandwiches were placed in the hot hold unit approx. 1 1/2 Temperature was turned up on the lower shelf of the hot hold unit and the sandwiches were 136 degrees F 30 min. later. Pre-packaged stuffed pork chops ingredient statement is not extended to include sub-ingredients of the stuffing. Pre-packaged grab and go sandwiches, hoagies and wraps located in deli dept. and stuffed pork chops and chicken thighs located in the cold hold unit in the meat dept. are not labeled to clearly indicate any “Big 8” allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement. Pre-packaged sandwiches, hoagies and wraps located in the grab and go refrigeration unit in the deli dept. are not labeled properly with the ingredient statement to include sub ingredients of the rolls etc. Pre-packaged stuffed chicken thighs are not labeled properly ingredient/sub ingredients of the stuffing. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available in the hot hold units.
Valley Mart #3, 2999 Bear Creek Blvd., Wilkes Barre, March 16. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Valley Mart #4, 3230 Route 309, Dallas, March 16. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility has an original certificate posted, but the location is not conspicuous for public viewing. Posted on side of cigar rack but between two racks and not visible to the public. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. A call was made to the manager who said that she was going to pick them up today and bring them into the facility. Manual 2-bay ware-washing equipment Observed with buildup of a black/brown residue around the drain seals and in corners of both bays. The sink was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection.
Wilkes-Plaza Beverages, 200-202 Wilkes Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township Blvd., Wilkes Barre, March 16. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a buildup of dust on plastic shelves in reach in beverage cooler. Observed a buildup of residue on the hand-wash sink in the prep area. Sink was cleaned. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the restrooms to remind food employees to wash their hands. Signs were provided. No soap or paper towels available in the restrooms. Soap and paper towels were provided. Observed a buildup of residues in the drain under the 3 compartment sink. Observed 20 rodent like droppings under the counter in the prep area.
North Slope Brewing Co., 2447 Route 309, Dallas, March 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation; Observed dried food residue on the blade of the french fry cutter. The cutter was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection.
Banquet Kitchen at Mohegan Sun, 1280 Route 315, Wilkes-Barre, March 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed employee vaporizer and liquid stored on shelf above prep area. Items were removed from area. Date sticker material and adhesive residuals observed on exterior surfaces of food pans.
Bernardo’s Pizzeria, Inc., 612 Main St., Edwardsville, March 17. Change of owner inspection; in compliance. Violations; The soda bag room located in the basement does not have a smooth ceiling surface. The ceiling is exposed rafters and flooring. There is an area about 24” X 8” where the wall board/tile is missing on the right side of the doorway leading from the dish washing area to the back pizza making room. Studding and cinder block are exposed. The receiving door located in the back pizza prep kitchen area of the facility has a gap at the top of the right door and between the doors at the floor/door junction, with visible light and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.
Daylida’s Bar & Grill, 313-315 Hanover St., Warrior Run, March 17. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations; Observed cases of vegetables stored directly on the floor in walk in cooler, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Observed a build up of rust on the shelves in the walk in cooler.
Jireh’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, 416 Main St., White Haven, March 17. Regular inspection; out of compliance. 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 walk-in cooler and stand up refrigerator, is not being date marked. Two chemical spray bottles in pizza prep area are not labeled for content. Person(s) in charge are not monitoring establishment operation for compliance with food code requirements. A food employee was observed touching bread, a ready-to-eat food with bare hands. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Wooden soffit being constructed above pizza prep area is constructed of unsealed wood. ceiling tiles are missing in soffit area that is under construction above pizza prep area. Lights are not shielded or shatter proof over the kitchen area. Basement food storage area is cluttered with non essential, non food items. Fan guard in walk in cooler has buildup of static dust.
Mogo at Mohegan Sun, 1280 Route 315, Wilkes-Barre, March 17. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Northeast Concession at Mohegan Sun, 1280 Route 315, Wilkes-Barre, March 17, Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed cracked door on the ice machine in the South Bar. Observed shelves rusting and peeling in multiple refrigeration units in the South bar. Observed a buildup of food residue on the metal shelf in the walk-in cooler in the Club House. Shelf was cleaned at time of inspection. Observed a buildup of syrup residue on the soda guns in Center and North Bars. Soda guns were cleaned. Observed spillage on the floor in the walk-in cooler in the Club House. Spill was cleaned. Observed a buildup of brown residue in multiple sinks. Sinks were cleaned. Observed a buildup of food residue in the corners of the bain marie in Winners Circle. Observed a buildup of residue in the soda gun holder in the Poker area.Person in charge cleaned holder. Observed a buildup of residue on the bottom of the small refrigeration unit in the Upper Main location. Observed a buildup of residues in the floor drains in the Upper Main location. Observed 5 small flies in Center Bar and Breakers locations.
For previous Luzerne and Lackawana county restaurant inspections, please click here.
