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.

Jireh’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, 416 Main St., White Haven, March 28. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violation: Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible.

King Fish Restaurant & Lounge, 561 Alter St., Hazleton, March 28. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violation: Establishment does not employee a certified food handler as required. Manager states an employee has enrolled in a class in May 2017. Left copy of warning letter and instructed manager to send proof of enrollment to Region 3 office within 10 days.

KVal Food & Tobacco Outlet, 15 E. Main St., Glen Lyon, March 28. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Commercially processed refrigerated, ready-to-eat deli meats, time/temperature control for safety food, located in the deli case, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. The deli meats were date marked during this inspection. Food facility has an original certificate posted, but the location is not conspicuous for public viewing. Certificate was placed in public view during this inspection. Raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat sliced tomato and rolls in deli case. The eggs were moved to the bottom shelf during this inspection. Pre-packaged ice manufactured and bagged for retail in the facility, is not labeled properly with a distributed by statement. A placard was placed on the door of the freezer containing ice with the name and address of the location where ice is manufactured and bagged. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration Observed boxes of coffee filters stored in the employee restroom, a prohibited area.

Sadowski’s Cafe, 2 Cooper St., Pringle, March 28. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Facility has an employee who has taken the ServSafe 3-year Food Handler Achievement course and not the 5-year Food Manager’s Certification course. The facility will have an employee obtain a Food Managers certificate which is good for 5 years within 90 days at which time the facility will e-mail a copy of the certificate to this inspector or fax/mail a copy to the Department’s Region 3 Office. Observed static dust on the fan guard inside of the 2-door reach-in cooler located at the bar.

Crown Fried Chicken, 8 E. Broad St., Hazleton, March 28. Complaint inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in food prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Several assorted size holes observed in walls and on floor under ice cream cabinet. Buildup of grime, spilled food residuals observed along wall to floor junctions in facility.

Dollar General #15817, 309 North Hunter Highway, Drums, March 28. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Dragon City, 67 Country Club Shopping Center, Dallas, March 28. Complaint inspection; in compliance. Violation; The hand-wash sink in the prep area was blocked by boxes sitting on top of the sink and not accessible at all times for employee use. The boxes were moved during this inspection.

G Plus Deli, 9 Rittenhouse Place Drums, March 28. Regular inspection; in compliance.

J Zapata I MFF4, 1130 St. Route 93, Drums, March 28. Change of owner inspection; in compliance.

J Zapata II MFF4, 511 Can Do Expressway, Hazle Township, March 28. Change of owner inspection; in compliance.

Grico’s, 1074 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a buildup of food residue on the potato cutter. Cutter was cleaned at time of inspection. Observed a buildup of syrup residue on the soda gun. Soda gun was cleaned at time of inspection. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in the walk-in cooler.

Italian American Citizen Club, 93 Union St., Wilkes-Barre, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in the cooler in the bar area.

John’s Churchill Restaurant, 1065 N. Church St., Hazle Township, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Chemical sprayer underneath prep table is not labeled for content. Corrected on site. Food employees observed in food prep/ware-wash area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible.

Mountain Freeze, 315 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Pantry Quick #5, 586 Alter St., Hazleton, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Three-basin sink has buildup of grime in basins. Cleaned during inspection.

Sushi By Jay at Weis Market, 495 Memorial Highway, Dallas, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Tomato Heads Pizzeria, 934 Wyoming Ave., West Pittston, March 29. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard under the bain marie. Observed a buildup of food residue along the edges and in the corners of the bain marie.

Turkey Hill #249, 7 Airport Rd., Hazle Township, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Surface coating on some wire racks in walk-in cooler is deteriorated/rusted.

Wilkes Plaza Beverages, 200-202 Wilkes Plaza, Wilkes Barre Twp Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, March 29. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.

Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club, 260 Country Club Dr., Mountain Top, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Curry Donuts, 216 Wilkes-Barre Twp. Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, March 29. Change of owner inspection; in compliance. Violations: New food facility in operation more than 90 days and has not employed a certified food employee as required. Person in charge is scheduled to attend course in May and will provide a copy of certificate when received. Observed a Styrofoam cup with no handle being used as a scoop and stored in bulk ingredients. Cup was removed. Observed plastic totes which are non food grade material being used to store bulk ingredients. Observed a buildup of mold-like residue on the interior of the ice machine. Machine was shut down and will be cleaned prior to use. Observed a buildup of dust on the hoods above the cooking area. Food residue observed in the hand-wash sink, indicating uses other than hand washing. Discussed use of hand-wash sink for hand washing only. Observed 25 rodent like droppings along the wall in the office and storage room.

Dunkin’ Donuts, 1190 N. Church St., Hazle Township, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance.

American Legion Post #558, 99 E. Carey St., Plains Twp., March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed a buildup of rust on the shelves in the Vulcan refrigerator in the kitchen. Observed a buildup of food residue on the meat slicer. Slicer was cleaned. Observed a buildup food residues in the sinks in the small bar area in the basement. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan and ceiling in the walk in beer cooler. Observed a buildup of food residue on the floor in the walk in cooler.

Hell’s Kitchen, 13 N. Broad St., Hazleton, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Urinal in mens restroom does not flush. Unit covered during inspection. Plumber called during inspection. Floor tiles broken/missing pieces in food prep areas.

Italian Villa, 39 Pittston Ave., Yatesville, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Observed peeling coating on the shelves in the refrigeration unit in the kitchen. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Observed a buildup of black mold-like residue on the shelves and interior surfaces of the cooler in the bar area. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan guard in the cooler in the bar area. Observed single-service, single-use articles stored directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor. Articles were moved off the floor at time of inspection. Door located in the bar area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.

Jimmy’s Quick Lunch, 123 E Broad St., Hazleton, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Food pan is stored on floor during food prep.

Kwik Kook, 2386 W. Main St., Hunlock Creek, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Eggs, meats (hamburgers) foods are served raw or under-cooked to the customer’s request; however, a written consumer advisory (on the menu, table tent, or placard) is not provided to the consumer. The consumer advisory was added to the menu during this inspection.

Leggio’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant, 1092 Route 315, Wilkes-Barre, March 30. Follow-up inspection; in compliance. Violation: Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid. Employee is taking course and will provide copy of certificate when received.

My Town Supermarket, 46 E. Broad St., Hazleton, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: No proof of certified food handler is available. Proof of enrollment in a certification course required within 10 days. Food containers on floor in walk-in cooler. Ceiling seams on ceiling in walk in cooler have loose foam insulation suspended from joints. Surface material on walls in walk-in cooler is peeling. Lights are not shielded or shatter proof over the walk-in cooler.

Rita’s Italian ice #218, 741 Airport Road, Hazle Township, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Save-A-Lot, 536 W. Broad St., Hazleton, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: 4 pints of chocolate milk offered for retail sale are showing expired sell by dates. Items removed from sale. Fan guards in walk-in produce cooler have build up of static dust/mold.

Subway, 390 Hwy. 315, Pittston, March 30. Regular inspection; out of compliance. Violations: TCS foods (hot dogs, cheeses, chicken, hummus, ham) were held 51-56 degrees F, in the under counter refrigeration in the front area, rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. Foods were discarded. Observed under counter refrigeration unit in the front area with an ambient temperature of 56 degrees F and not 41 degrees F or less as required. No TCS foods to be stored in unit until it is serviced and appropriate temperature is maintained. Food facility hot water heater is not producing enough hot water to supply hand-wash and ware-wash sinks at the time of this inspection. The hand-wash sink located in the prep area does not have water at a temperature of at least 100 dgrees F. Ware-wash sinks have hose attachments that are hanging below the flood rim of the sink and not an appropriate air gap. Observed rag and bucket of sanitizer in the hand-wash sink in the front area.

Wendy’s #201, 2685 Memorial Highway, Dallas, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: The inside surface of 4 plastic in-use Cambro pans, a food contact surface, is not smooth, easily cleanable and/or resistant to pitting, cracking or scratching. Person in charge stated that they new replacement Cambro pans ordered and awaiting their arrival.

Whipped Sweet Shoppe, 465 S. Poplar St., Hazleton, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance.

Aman Con Inc., 515 Main St., Dupont, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Observed raw eggs stored above jugs of milk in the cooler. Eggs were moved.

Dallas Tap and Grille, 28-34 Main St., Dallas, March 31. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: observed a small amount of tan/pink mold like residue on the edge of the ice deflector plate inside of the ice machine The ice machine was cleaned and sanitized during this inspection.

Smith’s Country Store, 5633 Rte. 309 Monroe Township, March 31. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Employee restroom is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.

Super Bounce LLC, 1024 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, March 31. Opening inspection; in compliance. Violation: Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in reach-in refrigeration unit.

Tony’s Pizzeria, 1117 Main St., Pittston, March 31. 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 containers of various chemicals stored on shelf alongside and above equipment. Chemicals were relocated. An open employee’s beverage container was observed in prep area, a food preparation area. Observed 5 canned items that were dented and had a buildup of rust on exterior surface. Items were removed from use. Hamburgers are served raw or under cooked to the customer’s request; however, a written consumer advisory (on the menu, table tent, or placard) is not provided to the consumer. Placard was provided. New menu with advisory has been ordered. Observed a buildup of rust on storage shelves in the basement area and on shelves in the walk in freezer. Mechanical ware-washing equipment had a mineral buildup observed inside. Observed a buildup of black slimy residue on the deflector plate in the ice machine. Ice machine was shut down and will be cleaned and sanitized prior to use. Observed a buildup of food residue on the shelves in multiple refrigeration units. Observed a buildup of old syrup residue on the soda gun in the bar area. Observed a buildup of debris and residue on the floor under and behind equipment in the bar area. Observed a buildup of dust and residues on surfaces and bottles in the bar area of the facility. Observed a buildup of old syrup residue on the surface above and behind the nozzles on the soda machine. Observed a build up of slimy residue in the soda gun holster in the bar area. Observed clean food buckets stored directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor. Observed clean food equipment stored uncovered or not inverted in the hall area. Observed single-service, single-use articles stored in basement area directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor.

Weis Market #074, 2525 Memorial Highway, Dallas, March 31. Follow-up inspection; in compliance.

For previous Luzerne and Lackawana county restaurant inspections, please click here.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_Luzerne-inspections-2.jpg.optimal.jpg