There are more than a few local restaurants that may want to resolve to live a little cleaner in the new year – Carlino’s, I’m looking at you. 17 restaurants and institutions were out of compliance last month.

Here’s the breakdown:

Synergy, 112 S. Church St. (I didn’t even know there was a food business here), out, 16 violations including severely dented cans intended for use, pre-made ready-to-eat foods in contact with raw meats in the freezer, pasta salad and cut melons held at 54 F rather than 41 F as required. Also, a can opener and cutting boards with visible food residue,

Bagel Bistro, 1502 West Chester Pike, out, 14 violations including employees not washing hands before putting on gloves, chili not properly reheated, individual servings of cream cheese and orange juice not date marked, and a general dirtiness. “An overall cleaning of the facility must be performed,” the inspection reads.

Ground Provisions, 1388 Old Wilmington Pike, out, 7 violations including oat milk not held at the required 41 F; tomato juice, and house-made syrups stored beyond their use by date; and an ice scoop as well as floors and walls under the mechanical dishwasher in need of cleaning.

Bethel AME Church, 334 E. Miner St., out, 4 violations including no handwash sink in the food prep area, a leaky three-compartment sink, and a restricted pesticide being applied without certification.

The Pear, 275 Brinton’s Bridge Rd, out, 11 violations including raw eggs and tuna stored above ready-to-eat foods; cleaned equipment stacked wet; cooked eggplant held at 60 F (not 41 F), which was discarded; ready-to-eat foods including house made jams, sauces and pickled items held more than the allowed seven days. These too were discarded.

Safe Harbor, 20 N. Matlack St., out, 6 violations including raw eggs observed above ready-to-eat foods in the cooler, prepared foods stored without a date indicating when they were made, and several areas in need of cleaning.

Wendy’s, 700 E. Gay St., out, 3 violations including a refrigerated prep station with a broken drawer and a dishwasher that is out of order. Hopefully, they have a backup.

Market Street Grill, 6 W. Market St., out, 16 violations including open employee beverages in the food prep area, dented cans intended for use, egg and hashbrown containers stored directly on the floor, items in the cook line not being kept cool enough, prepared foods stored without a date indicating when they were made, and employee foods and belongings stored with restaurant items. “Ensure a clear separation exists by using designated areas to store employee items,” the report states.

Manje Caribbean Cuisine, 237 E. Gay St., out, 13 violations including prepared foods stored without a date indicating when they were made, no designated handwash sink, an ice machine with mold-like growth, and a slicer with the previous day’s food still on it.

Oriental Pearl, 1550 Paoli Pike, out, 7 violations including dry goods stored open without a covering, raw fish stored above prepared sushi, tofu and spicy mayo prepared and stored without a date marking, and previously cleaned sushi utensils and knives with visible food residue on them. These were cleaned during the inspection.

Atexquita Mexican Restaurant, 505 E. Gay St., out, 17 violations including “severely” dented cans intended for use, raw chicken stored next to fresh vegetables in the refrigerator, a red sauce with a “mold-like substance” growing on it, rice not cooled properly, dirty knives stored clean and other cleaning violations.

Watermark at Bellingham, 1615 E. Boot Rd, out, 13 violations including milk and half and half left unrefrigerated in the coffee area; food residue in the ice machine; dishwashers not reaching sanitizing temps; and floors, appliances, fan covers, shelves, chest doors, and the juice machine nozzles all in need of a cleaning.

Wings To Go, 547 E. Gay St., out, 8 violations including severely dented cans intended for use, a restricted use pesticide being applied without certification, and food in the bain marie not kept cold enough. The food was discarded and the unit ordered fixed.

The Mediterranean, 150 W. Gay St., out, 6 violations including raw meats stored above ready-to-eat foods, an ice machine with food residue, and a bain marie cooler not keeping foods cold enough. This was corrected during the inspection.

Giant Food Store – East Bradford, 698 Downingtown Pike, out, 14 violations including employees assisting at the seafood counter without washing their hands; dented cans out for purchase; fruits not washed prior to use in a bakery recipe; a meat saw with significant food build-up; and the pub area, raw chicken room, dairy cooler, bakery racks, and Starbucks area in need of cleaning.

Iron Hill Brewery, 3 W. Gay St., out, 6 violations including a bain marie not keeping salmon and pork chops cool enough, both items were pulled and rechilled; a leak under the three-compartment sink; and a can opener blade, slicer and ice machine all observed to have food residue on them.

Carlino’s Specialty Foods and Catering, 128 W. Market St., out, 20 violations including employee beverages above the prep line; dented cans intended for use; chicken cutlets, cheeses, quiche, salmon, milk, and marinara sauce not properly chilled, these were voluntarily discarded; bakery frosting tips and knives stored dirty; walk-in coolers in the bakery and produce area in need of cleaning; and pest traps not emptied frequently enough “as evidenced by observed decaying pest in pest control device in the coffee area.”

I know that seems like a lot, and it is. However, there is a silver lining. The following institutions are newly polished to a high shine and back in the Health Inspector’s good graces: Gramm’s Kitchen, 1339 BBQ, Pietro’s Prime, Baan Thai Sabaidee, Sunrise Senior Living, Panera, Dunkin’ Donuts, Playa Bowls, and Mercato.

For more details and a complete list of reports, go to the PA Food Safety website and search by location.

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Originally published on Jan. 10, 2025

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