The following are recent Lackawanna 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.
Blu Wasabi, 223 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, March 29. 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 employees observed in kitchen area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats. Observed a open bag of rice stored directly on the floor in kitchen area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Observed cardboard boxes of food stored directly on the floor in the walk-in freezer area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Shrimp, chicken, calamari was held at 48-50 degrees F, in the bain marie area, rather than 41degrees F or below as required. Sanitarian calibrated digital thermometer in the presence of employees to 32 degrees F during this inspection. All items were voluntarily discarded during this inspection. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in bain marie. Bain marie was observed at 50 degrees during this inspection. Unit was emptied during this inspection and will not be used until it can maintain a temperature of 41 degrees F or lower. Final rinse gauge on ware-wash machine noted at 120 degrees F. Temperature sensitive strip placed in unit during inspection indicated final rinse temperature at 160 degrees F. The deflector plate of the ice machine, a food contact surface, was observed to have a pink slimy residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The area was cleaned during this inspection. The two soda guns at the bar area, food contact surface, were observed to have a pink slimy residue and were not clean to sight and touch. The soda guns were soaked in warm water during this inspection. Ceiling and fan guards in walk-in cooler have an accumulation of dust. Observed old crumbs and food residue under plastic storage shelf in cook line area of kitchen. Observed water leaking from ceiling in the basement in two different areas. A bucket full of stagnant water was observed under one leak. The wall in the mechanical ware-wash machine area has an accumulation of a black mold-like residue. Hood filters in both cook line area have an accumulation of grease and dust.
Dunmore Convenience Inc., 914 Dunmore St., Throop, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food facility does not have available chlorine sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate chlorine sanitizer concentration. Women’s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. Paper towel dispenser empty at the hand -wash sinks in the prep and ladies rest room areas. Paper towels were placed at the sinks during this inspection.
Gangi Pizza, 407 George St., Throop, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats. Commercially processed refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food (deli meats/cheeses), located in the reach-in refrigerator, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Reviewed and left PDA handout on date marking during this inspection. Lights are not shielded or shatter proof over the prep area. Paper towel dispenser empty at the hand-wash sink in the prep area. Paper towels were placed at the sink during this inspection. The lower walls/floors under the tables in the pizza prep and cooking equipment have an accumulation of grease.
Smiler’s Grill & Bar, 600 Main St., Dickson City, March 29. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violations: Wire shelving in the reach-in Jordan cooler and walk-in cooler is exposing rust and is not smooth and easy to clean. Observed chicken wings placed hot in the walk-in cooler in containers greater than 4 inches deep with tight fitting lids, which is not a proper cooling method. Employees instructed during this inspection to place wings in single layers on sheet trays to cool rapidly. Broken and missing tiles exposing wooden sub floor does not provide a smooth easily cleanable surface in kitchen and walk-in cooler areas. Floors were observed to be clean and free of debris and water during this inspection. Floor under ware washer has an accumulation of grease and debris. Floors under cooking equipment have an accumulation of grease. Observed soda syrup spilled on floor and soda dispensing equipment in the basement area. Window exhaust fan in kitchen has a heavy accumulation of dust and dirt. Loose/broken gaskets observed on one of three chest freezers in the basement. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.
Dunmore Elementary Center, Quincy Avenue & Warren Street, Dunmore, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Dunmore Elementary/Satellite, Dunmore, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Dunmore Jr. Sr. High School, Quincy Avenue & Warren Street, Dunmore, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, 1400 Monroe Ave., Dunmore, March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance.
La Tonalteca Mexican Restaurant, 821 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, March 30. Follow up inspection; in compliance. Violations: Food ingredient storage containers, in the back kitchen area, are not labeled with the common name of the food. Non-food contact surfaces fan guards in walk-in cooler not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dust.
Sushi Thai, 702 N. Blakley St., Mastriani Plaza, Dunmore. March 30. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Subway #56188, 95 Brooklyn St., Suite 2, Carbondale, March 31. Change of owner inspection; in compliance.
The Bar at the Patch, Inc., 110 W. Grove St., Dunmore, March 31. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Brownies Pizza, 401 S. Ninth Ave., Scranton, March 31. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Nichols Village Hotel and Spa, 1101 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, March 31. Follow up inspection; in compliance. Violations: Paper towel dispenser empty at the hand-wash sinks in the breakfast room and main kitchen areas. Paper towels were placed at the sinks during this inspection. Old food residue, dishes and utensils observed in the breakfast room hand wash sink, indicating uses other than hand washing. The dishes were removed during this inspection. Food facility has lost its certified food employee one month ago. The hotel manager is scheduled to take a ServSafe class on May 2,. Certificate will be faxed to PDA regional office. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.
Simpson Food Market, 405 Main St., Simpson, March 31. Change of owner inspection; in compliance. Violations: Bagels and bread observed in the deli area baine marie moldy and adulterated. Product voluntarily discarded. Ready-to-eat chili observed in the walk-in cooler area, spoiled/moldy and is adulterated. Product voluntarily discarded. 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, is not being date marked. Observed wiping cloths in extremely unclean condition in the deli area. Food facility does not have available chlorine sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of old food residual on equipment in the sales area. Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of grease grime and soil. Observed non-food contact equipment surfaces in the deli area greasy to touch. Observed food spillage on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Grease buildup observed on the mechanical hood system removable vents.
Bella Pizza, 532 Pittston Ave., Scranton, April 1. Regular inspection; in compliance.
Caramano’s Restaurant, 1101 S. Main Ave., Scranton, April 1. Regular inspection; in compliance. Violation: Food employee certification to be obtained in May. Will follow up to obtain results with restaurant.
