Restaurant inspection reports are out for November. Thirteen establishments are out of compliance with the Chester County Health Department this month including several local favorites, my kids’ elementary school, and one for draining rice directly into a floor drain. Ick.
Mercato, 33 Market St., out, 13 violations including open employee beverage containers observed on the cook line; raw chicken being stored above raw vegetables; dry goods containers, squeeze bottles, and chemical spray bottles without content labels; and a deli slicer and can opener with visible food residue.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard, 1302 Wilmington Pike, out, 7 violations including meats and cheeses stacked in the grill area not being kept cold enough while they wait to be cooked, an ice machine and table top can opener not clean to sight and touch, and a women’s restroom with no hot water.
Chris’s Pizza, 633 S. Walnut St., out, 6 violations including raw chicken defrosting in the refrigerator above the mozzarella cheese, a handwash sink with water temps of 153 degrees (ouch), and floors in need of cleaning.
Playa Bowls, 22 S. High St., out, 15 violations including fruits stored in the refrigerator with no covering; containers holding cold brew coffee stored directly on the floor; foods in the front grab-and-go holding area at temps between 45 and 50 degrees – they should be at 41 or below; fruit flies in the mop room; and a cutting board, wood countertop, and ice machine with visible food residue.
Dunkin’ Donuts, 1009 West Chester Pike, out, 4 violations including a cutting board and kitchen floors in need of a good cleaning, and pitchers blocking the handwashing sink.
Panera Bread, 1115 West Chester Pike, out, 4 violations including no soap at the hand wash sink and a leak in the bakery area.
Chester County Prison, 501 S. Wawaset Rd., out, 5 violations including an open employee drink container in the sandwich prep area, a broken dishwasher not properly sanitizing cookware, and kitchen workers placing a colander style pan on the floor to drain the rice. This practice was stopped immediately and this reminder was noted in the report, “NEVER place food pans on floor.”
Ice Cream West Chester, 14 N. Church St., out, 2 violations including not having trash containers and not labeling the three-compartment sink. This was the opening inspection so let’s just assume both will be corrected before service begins.
Hillsdale Elementary School, 725 W. Market St., out, 3 violations including dented cans intended for use and cut fruit held at 49 degrees rather than the required 41 degrees.
1339 BBQ at the Brickette Lounge, 1339 Pottstown Pike, out, 7 violations including meats not properly cooled to a required 41 degrees; house-made sauces not marked with the date they were made; and the basement ice machine, scoops, soda gun nozzles, and holders, chest freezer, and the top of the dishwasher all in need of a cleaning.
Pietro’s Prime, 125 W. Market St., out, 15 violations including temperature-controlled foods not being stored at cold enough temperatures (these items were discarded); an open employee beverage cup found over the salad prep table; food prep happening under exposed dusty pipes; and a list of cleaning tasks including the can opener, several knives, and that prep area.
Gramm’s Kitchen, 557 E. Gay St., out, 16 violations including an employee touching toasted ready-to-eat bread with bare hands, an open employee drink container in the soup area, foods stored in the refrigerator without protective covers or labeled with the date they were made, a can opener and slicer with food residue still on them, and a restricted pesticide being applied by a non-certified applicator.
WC Cooperative at the West Chester Growers Market, 201 N. Church St., out, 1 violation. The Co-op allowed consumers to eat at the stand without a handwash sink available. Perhaps a sample-at-your-own-risk sign would help?
Don’t fret. All dining hope is not lost. These fine establishments are now back in compliance: Bar Avalon, Brother’s Pizza, Sabatino’s Pizza and Grille, Applebee’s, New King Wok, Pizza West Chester, Ram’s Head Diner, Great China, and finally, sushi fans after multiple attempts, Wasabi, Kooma, and the Giant sushi counter are all back in compliance. Phew, Friday night sushi can resume!
For more details and a complete list of reports, go to the PA Food Safety website and search by location.
Originally published on Dec. 6, 2024
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