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.

Bo Brothers LLC, 2004 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, Sept. 21. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Chicken in the refrigerator stored open with no covering. Chicken was covered during this inspection. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in two of three bain maries. Thermometers were placed in the bain maries during this inspection. The post can opener blade, a food contact surface, was observed to have a black residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The can opener was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection.

Lobitz Catering Service, 1090 Route 940, Hazle Township, Sept. 21. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: 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facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid.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 states new certificate has been received and will send copy to this inspector within 10 days. Surface coating on wire racks in walk-in cooler is deteriorated/rusting. Top exterior surfaces of dish machine have buildup of grime. Floor covering in walk-in cooler are deteriorated. Floors in food prep area have buildup of traffic dirt. Floors under cook line have buildup of grease.

McDonalds #26683, 674 N. River St., Plains Township, Sept. 21. 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. A container of grill cleaner was observed stored on top of the top opening freezer by the grill. Cleaner removed. Observed multiple in-use food ingredient containers not labeled with the name of the contents. Observed ice scoop stored on top of the ice machine, an area that is not easily and regularly cleaned. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available multiple refrigeration units. Observed small refrigerator by the grill with an ambient temperature of 47 degrees F. TCS foods were removed from unit during inspection. No TCS foods will be placed in unit until proper temperature of 41 degrees F or less can be maintained. Door on small refrigerator by grill does not seal completely. Observed broken edges on the lids of the frozen dessert machine. Interior of microwave, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. PIC cleaned microwave. Observed a buildup of black residue on the surfaces behind the ice chute and around the nozzles on the self-serve beverage machine and the beverage machine at the drive thru. Areas were cleaned. Observed a buildup of food residue in the trays holding sandwich paper wrappers. Observed a buildup of food residue on non-food contact surfaces of the frozen dessert machine, McFlurry mixer and the Smoothie machine. Observed a buildup of food residues on the areas around the nozzle on the orange juice machine. Person in charge cleaned area. Observed liquid pooling on the bottom of the Latte cooler. Area was cleaned. Observed a buildup of grime along the edges of the floor in the back area.

Miller’s Cafe, 811 Saint Johns Rd., Saint Johns, Sept. 21. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Three-compartment bar sink has buildup of mineral deposits in basins. Surface coating on floor tiles in bar and food prep areas is deteriorated.

Mohegan Sun Arena-Savor, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, Sept. 21. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in one refrigeration unit.

Pittston Convenience, 325 Laurel St., Pittston, Sept. 21. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Restroom is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.

Dagwood’s Deli & Subs, 418 Market St., Kingston, Sept 22. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a small amount of black mold-like residue on the edge of the deflector plate inside of the ice machine. The ice machine was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. The Receiving door located in the back of kitchen has a gap at the floor door junction and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.

Heller’s Orchards, 54 Orchard St., Wapwallopen, Sept. 22. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Paper towel dispenser empty at the hand-wash sink in the cider press area. Paper towel was placed at the sink during this inspection. Observed an accumulation of dust and dirt on the window sills at the end of the cider press room and is in need of cleaning. Observed webbing and dead insects on the wall and windows at the end of the cider press room.

J. Angelo’s New York Pizza, 1 W. Union St., Shickshinny, Sept. 22. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in the prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats. Beef, hamburgers, and chicken in the upright freezers are stored open with no covering. The food items were covered during this inspection. One hood filter missing. Unit is out for cleaning and will be re-installed. Observed a buildup of grease and dust on the hood filters above the fryers and is in need of cleaning. Observed a buildup of static dust on the fan guards inside of the True (Pepsi) refrigeration unit in the self service area. Observed static dust on the fan guards inside of both of the slider door refrigeration units in the prep area. Women’s restroom used by employees is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.

Antonio’s Pizza & Subs of NY Express, LLC, 45 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston, Sept. 23. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Person in charge posted certificate. Observed plastic container with no handle being used as a scoop and stored in bulk ingredients. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration Observed a buildup of food residue on the shelves under pizza prep bain marie. Observed a buildup of syrup residue on the surface around nozzles on 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.

Sonic At Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes Barre, Sept. 23. Opening inspection; in compliance.

Carriage Stop Beer, 2500 East End Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, Sept. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Manual 3-compartment sink at the bar was observed with a mineral buildup. Observed a buildup of black residue on surface around nozzle on frozen drink machine. Area was cleaned. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in the walk-in cooler. Observed liquid puddling on the bottom of the small refrigerator in the bar. Area cleaned. No sign or poster posted at the hand-wash sink in the restroom to remind food employees to wash their hands. Sign was provided.

Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, 174 Mundy St., Wilkes-Barre, Sept. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Pittston Area Primary Center, 210 Rock St., Hughestown, Sept. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Rio Charcoal Grill, 495 Johnson St. and Rte. 309, Wilkes Barre, Sept. 26. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.

Shadyside Tavern, 3600 Rte. 309, Dallas, Sept. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Commercially processed refrigerated, ready-to-eat deli meat and cheese, time/temperature control for safety food, located in the walk-in cooler, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. The deli meat and cheese was date marked during this inspection. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hat. Observed a bag of flour stored directly on the floor in prep area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. the bag was elevated during this inspection. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Observed a pink slime-like residue on the inside of the soda gun holster located at the bar. The holster was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. The deli slicer blade, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. An employee stated that the slicer was used last on 09/25/16. The deli slicer was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection. Observed a buildup of black grime on the fan guard inside of the Master Bilt refrigeration unit in the bar area. There is an accumulation of grease on the hood filters above the fryers

Wyoming Valley Beverage, 63 S. Wyoming Ave., Edwardsville, Sept. 26. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed broken missing drywall on the wall on right hand side of store. Owner said that they are in process or making arrangements to have it repaired. Observed missing Baseboard in back right corner of store.

Moe’s Southwest Grill, Bear Creek Commons, Wilkes Barre, Sept. 27. 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 an in-use container of cut raw onions placed on the floor alongside the prep table in the back area. Container was moved off the floor. Chicken and beef observed thawing in standing water in the 3-compartment sink, which is not an approved thawing method. Discussed proper thawing procedures and provided handout. Foods were placed under cold running water to continue to thaw. Black beans were held at 128 degrees F, in the hot hold unit , rather than 135 degrees F or above as required. Beans were discarded. Observed deeply scored and stained cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Interior of multiple food pans on the clean equipment rack were observed to have food residue and were not clean to sight and touch. Observed a buildup of pink residue on the deflector plate in the ice machine. Machine was shut off and will be cleaned and sanitized prior to use. Observed a buildup of residues on the back edge of the ice chute and around the nozzles on the self-serve beverage machines. Observed clean food equipment in the back area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). Observed a buildup of food residue and puddles of water on the floor in the back prep area. Observed 20 small flies on the walls in the back area of the facility. Facility is working with a pest control provider to control the pest issue.

Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center, 350 Jumper Rd., Wilkes-Barre, Sept. 27. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: 3-compartment sink has a hose attachment that is hanging below the flood rim of the sink and not an appropriate air gap.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_Restaurant_Inspections_Luzerne-food5-1.jpg.optimal.jpg