Berks food safety inspections: Slime and black mold like residue found at 2 places

May 28, 2023

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture keeps records of food safety inspections at restaurants and food vendors.

Berks County is divided into three jurisdictions: Reading, Muhlenberg Township and the rest of the county. Reading and Muhlenberg Township have their own inspectors and the rest of the county is inspected by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspectors.

The results will be posted every other week. All food vendors are inspected at least once a year. Other inspections can be triggered by a change of owner, a follow up if a facility had been out of compliance or by a complaint filed with the PDA.

View any vendor's last inspection report online. Click on the PDF version of the inspection report for all details.

If a food provider is labeled out of compliance, that means it has one or more violations that require a return visit by an inspector. The establishment is given time to fix the problem(s) and remains open for business.

Complaints can be filed online with the PDA.

Below are the results of inspections conducted between Feb. 16 and March 1, 2022, that were filed in the state database as of March 3 at 5 p.m.

Dollar General Store #13403, 226 E. Penn Ave., Robesonia , March 01: one violation. Rear door located in the storage area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.

Domino's Pizza, 1 W. Penn Ave., Robesonia , March 01: one violation. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.

Paradise By The Slice, 69 Penn Ave., Wernersville , March 01: six violations. Food dispensing utensil in bulk spice containers observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food and the container. Observed multiple food items stored directly on the floor in the dry storage and walk in cooler areas, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Observed fryer baskets with loose and broken wires. Working containers in the cookline area, used for storing multi quaternary sanitizer, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected. Loose and torn rubber door gaskets observed on the reach in cooling units at the cookline. Mops are not being hung to air dry.

Backwoods Brothers Authentic Texas Cuisine, 272 S. Fourth St., Hamburg , Feb. 25: two violations. Observed, floors, walls, and equipment throughout the prep area with an accumulation of food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces and must be cleaned. The light intensity in the food preparation area is not at least 50 foot candles. Lighting in the prep area is not functioning properly and must be repaired.

McDonald's of Exeter #12062, 5370 Perkiomen Ave., Reading , Feb. 25: no violations.

Roselawn Bistro, 3650 Perkiomen Ave., Reading , Feb. 25: no violations.

Russo's Family Restaurant & Pizzeria, 2 S. Fourth St., Hamburg , Feb. 25: three violations. Soda nozzles, a food contact surface, were observed to have slime and black mold like residue. Corrected. Observed in-use knives and spatulas stored between a prep table and the wall, an area not easily cleanable & sanitized. Corrected. Observed vents and walls, in the pizza oven area, with an accumulation of dust and dirt debris.

Valentino's, 15492 Kutztown Road, Kutztown , Feb. 25: no violations.

Bridge Inn The, 3 Covered Bridge Road, Oley , Feb. 24: no violations.

Oley Beer Mart, 673 Old State Road, Oley , Feb. 24: no violations.

Apex Rock Hard Cafe @ La Fitness, 1183 Berkshire Blvd., Wyomissing , Feb. 23: one violation. One set of lights is not shielded or shatter proof in the back room.

Black Jax American Pub And Grill, 668 Ben Franklin Highway, Birdsboro , Feb. 23: one violation. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperature of equipment are not available or readily accessible in two of the refrigeration units in the kitchen. Corrected.

Chatty's, 3130 Pricetown Road, Fleetwood , Feb. 23: no violations.

Douglassville Cafe, 1554 D Ben Franklin Highway, Douglassville , Feb. 23: one violation. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.

Chicken Supreme, 410 Penn Ave., West Reading , Feb. 22: three violations. Soda nozzles, a food contact surface, were observed to have slime and black mold like residue. Corrected. Observed in-use knives and spatulas stored between a prep table and the wall, an area not easily cleanable & sanitized. Corrected. Observed vents and walls, in the pizza oven area, with an accumulation of dust and dirt debris.

Muhlenberg School District Middle School, 801 Bellevue Ave., Laureldale , Feb. 22: no violations.

New Great China, 2675 Shillington Road, Sinking Spring , Feb. 22: three violations. Observed shelving in the walk in cooler area, with rust and debris accumulation. Observed floors, in the walk in cooler area, with an accumulation of dirt and food residue debris. Observed clean food equipment and/or utensils in dish rack area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). Corrected. Handwashing sink in the cookline area observed with a pan in the sink blocking access to the sink. Corrected.

Poor Richard's, 64 Star Road, Hereford , Feb. 22: two violations. Observed, floors, walls, and equipment throughout the prep area with an accumulation of food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces and must be cleaned. The light intensity in the food preparation area is not at least 50 foot candles. Lighting in the prep area is not functioning properly and must be repaired.

CVS #1923, 3100 Shillington Road, Sinking Spring , Feb. 18: no violations.

Paolo's Pizza & Restaurant, 2480 Lancaster Pike, Reading , Feb. 18: three violations. Food dispensing utensil (a bowl) in spices in the dry storage area, observed stored in the food. Corrected. Observed personal items (jacket, phone, keys) stored on shelves with dry storage food items, that are served to customers. Corrected. Observed cooking equipment in the cook line area, with encrusted grease and soil accumulation. Observed reach-in cooler gaskets, in the font counter area, with an accumulation of dirt and food residue. Observed shelving, in the walk-in cooler area, with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, debris.

American Diner, 411 Penn Ave., West Reading , Feb. 17: one violation. Observed some food items stored directly on the floor in the walk-in freezer in the basement, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Corrected.

Applebee's #3404, 1905 Ridgewood Road, Wyomissing , Feb. 17: one violation. Multiple foods were held at 48°F, in the cookline area, rather than 41°F or below as required. Corrected.

Bixler's Lodge, 1456 Friedensberg Road, Stoney Creek , Feb. 17: one violation. Plumbing for the handwash sink in the kitchen is leaking water.

Boyer's Food Market #3580, 408 Park Road, Fleetwood , Feb. 17: three violations. Door frame of the single entry door at the back receiving area is rusted/deteriorated creating a gap that does not protect properly against the entry of pests. Double doors located in the back area of the food facility have a gap at the bottom and do not protect properly against the entry of insects, rodents, and other pests. Food employee observed preparing cut produce in the back room, not wearing proper hair restraint. Corrected. Old unused equipment and other items stored in the unused walk-in cooler in the back area need to be more organized or removed from food facility. The area is inaccessible due to the clutter.

Boyers Food Market #66229, 7166 Bernville Road, Bernville , Feb. 17: one violation. Packaged Romaine lettuce hearts labeled keep refrigerated were held at room temp in display in the produce area, rather than 41°F or below as required.

Giant Food #6289, 2104 Van Reed Road, West Lawn , Feb. 17: no violations.

Healthy U Fitness, 1291 Penn Ave., Wyomissing , Feb. 17: no violations.

Isaacs Restaurant And Deli, 94 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing , Feb. 17: two violations. Observed numerous food products stored directly on the floor in the walk in cooler area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Food observed thawing in a prep sink, not submerged in running water. Corrected.

J R's Pizzeria, 24 Village Center Drive, Reading , Feb. 17: two violations. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Gaskets in reach in cooler unit have a residue build up and must be cleaned. Observed deep fryer equipment, in the grill area, with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces. Observed cooking equipment/bottom of hood vent grill area, with encrusted grease and soil accumulation. Cleaning is scheduled for this month

Joanna Store, 1102 Elverson Road, Morgantown , Feb. 17: five violations. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in sandwich bain marie equipment. Food facility does not have available chlorine sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. A utility sink or curbed cleaning facility with a floor drain is not provided in the food facility. Prepackaged deli salads, sandwich food is not labeled to indicate all of the "Big 8" allergen ingredients and / or the allergen warning statement. Also ice bagged in store for sale does not have a label with the source of ice on.

Mangia! Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, 322 E. Wyomissing Ave., Mohnton , Feb. 17: one violation. Interior of the ice machine in kitchen has a slight pink mold/slime build up along sides and near top of plastic divider.

Massimo Ristorante, 100 Anna Ave., Blandon , Feb. 17: no violations.

Shoemakersville Fire Company # 1, 300 Church Ave., Shoemakersville , Feb. 17: one violation. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.

Wal-Mart Supercenter #3501, 100 Crossings Blvd., Elverson , Feb. 17: four violations. Open raw produce bins a food contact surface, was observed to have slime and old food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Also top of case near spray nozzles had a slime residue. Fan covers and ceiling area of the deli walk in cooler and fan covers in dairy cooler of the food facility are dirty, dusty, and in need of cleaning. Observed rusted screws holding thermometer on refrigerator case above open raw produce bins dripping rusted water onto produce. Observed racks of bread stored directly on the floor in rear storage room area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required.

Betty's, 129 W. Main St., Kutztown , Feb. 16: two violations. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink next to blenders to remind food employees to wash their hands. Corrected by providing poster. One of the four overhead lights are not shielded or shatter proof over the food preparation area. This is a repeat violation from 2020 and 2021.

Inn At Reading, 1040 Park Road, Wyomissing , Feb. 16: no violations.

Russo Foods And Market, 1150 Bern Road, Wyomissing , Feb. 16: two violations. An open employee's beverage container was observed in the large kitchen food preparation area. corrected. Some prepackaged items in the retail store area are not labeled with an ingredient statement.

Whiskey Bar At Winedown, 622 Penn Ave., West Reading , Feb. 16: one violation. Observed some loose insulation on the ceiling near the potato slicer in the basement.

Monte Lauro European, 2934 N. Fifth St., Feb. 27: two violations. Bain marie foods were held at 46.1 °F ambiently. Deli meats in the bain marie top containers were held at 47.6 °F, rather than 41°F or below as required. Manager states he will purchase stainless steel pans to transfer the cold temperature better than the currently used plastic pans, and additionally modify storage protocols (location, temperature and packaging in smaller quantities). Multiple utensils stored in container that contained food crumbs. Corrected on inspection.

Carvel Store # 2172, 3320 N. Fifth St., Feb. 26: four violations. Food employees observed in ice cream service area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Corrected on inspection. Food dispensing utensil in walnuts observed stored in the food with handle not above the top of the food. Several small maintenance tools – hammer, electrical tape, flashlights, not stored in designated tool storage area. Corrected on inspection. A working container of cleaner / sanitizer was stored above or on the same shelf with food, equipment, and/or single service articles in the front work area. Corrected on inspection.

Domino's Pizza, 3007 N. Fifth St., Feb. 26: no violations.

Jimbo's Steaks & Hoagies, 3400 Plaza Drive, Feb. 26: no violations.

Allgyer's B.B.Q. Corner, 2934 N. Fifth Street Highway, Feb. 17: one violation. Prepackaged sauce is not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, net weight, distributed by statement and/or nutritional facts. Prepackaged sauce is not labeled to clearly indicate any "Big 8" allergen ingredients and / or the allergen warning statement.

Calvaresi Coffee Tea & Etc., 2934 N. Fifth Street Highway, Feb. 17: one violation. Overhead dust noted on beams duct work.

Dollar Tree Stores Inc. #391362, 1130 Rockland St., March 01: no violations.

Mama's Pizza & Grill #390322, 1146 Rockland St., March 01: one violation. Mops are not being hung to air dry.

Mari Vaccaros 6 Pac N Mor Inc. #395530, 835-8 Hiester Lane, March 01: no violations.

Max Butcher Shop #395669, 835-3 Hiester Lane, March 01: no violations.

Sunset Mexican Ice Cream Shop, 835-9 Hiester Lane Unit 8, March 01: no violations.

Wongs Kitchen Llc #395725, 835-5 Hiester Lane, March 01: no violations.

Amigos Pizza #382751, 2001 Kutztown Road, Feb. 28: no violations.

El Tipico Criollo, 963 N. 11th, Feb. 28: no violations.

Little Caesars Pizza 373402, 1920 Kutztown Road, Feb. 28: no violations.

Nandi Llc (Subway) #386365, 1920 Kutztown Road Suite I, Feb. 28: no violations.

Sealin Grocery And Deli LLC, 1168 Green St., Feb. 28: three violations. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the employee restroom area to remind food employees to wash their hands. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the employee restroom area. The handwash sink in the employee Restroom area does not have single use towels, continuous towels, or air drying device. Hood system needs to be professionally cleaned. Documentation is required. Non-food contact surfaces (Interior surfaces of Cooling an freezer units) not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil.

Tropical Bakery 15408540, 852 Bingaman St., Feb. 28: two violations. Damaged ceiling in rear oven areas. Needs to be repaired. Hood System in food prep area needs to be professionally cleaned. Documentation required.

Turkey Hill #233 43820010, 2001 Kutztown Road, Feb. 28: no violations.

La Antillana, 200 W. DouglassSt., Feb. 25: no violations.

Vegana Deli Grocery 377284, 1028 Douglass St., Feb. 25: no violations.

Dollar General #370283, 1920 Kutztown Road, Feb. 24: no violations.

Price Rite A2409510, 600 Spring St., Feb. 24: no violations.

Turkey Hill #120 66605010, 501 Spring St., Feb. 24: no violations.

A Plus Sunoco 344155, 719 Spring St., Feb. 23: no violations.

Family Dollar Store #6455 #370140, 600 Spring St., Feb. 23: three violations. Mops are not being hung to air dry. Ceiling tiles missing and damaged in the retail area, need to be replaced. Non-food contact surfaces of the interior areas of dairy cooler not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and residue.

Latino Supermarket 2, 1231 Greenwich St., Feb. 23: no violations.

Martha Deli Grocery Llc, 1025 Greenwich St., Feb. 23: no violations.

McDonalds, 901 Spring St., Feb. 23: no violations.

Rockys Pizza 66604450, 445 Spring St., Feb. 23: no violations.

Santa Rita II Mini Market #395715, 1054 Greenwich St., Feb. 23: two violations. Shelves in open air cooler are in need of a cleaning. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the meat prep area. The handwash sink in the meat prep area does not have single use towels, continuous towels, or air drying device.

Dominican Grocery 341600, 201 Greenwich St., Feb. 22: no violations.

Fine Fare 362470, 200 W. Buttonwood St., Feb. 22: no violations.

Getty Mart 35802500, 270 W. Greenwich St., Feb. 22: two violations. Mops are not being hung to air dry. Observed several stained ceiling tiles in the facility.

Happy Mini Market, 128 W. Greenwich St., Feb. 22: no violations.

Esposito Italian Garden, 501 Upland Ave., Feb. 17: no violations.

Lookout Bar & Grill 350166, 501 Upland Ave., Feb. 17: no violations.

Mikes Tavern 364552, 135 Exeter St., Feb. 17: no violations.

Oakbrook Brewing Company, 628 Park Ave., Feb. 17: no violations.

Oakbrook Relief Assoc. 56806280, 630 Park Ave., Feb. 17: no violations.

RC Theaters Inc 356019., 18 N. Second St., Feb. 17: four violations. The handwash sink in the rear food prep area does not have single use towels, continuous towels, or air drying device. Mops are not being hung to air dry. ServSafe Certificate that currently posted, is out of date. Observed residue on interior surface of ice machine compartments. Not clean to sight or touch.

Saucony Creek Brewing Co, 100 S. Seventh St., Feb. 17: no violations.

Spartaco Society 20404070, 407 Chestnut St., Feb. 17: no violations.

The following reports for the period of Feb. 2 to Feb. 15, 2022, were added to the state's database after Feb. 17 and did not appear in the previous Berks food safety report.

Soul/The Living Room, 1665 State Hill Road, Feb. 15: three violations. The handwash sink in the kitchen area does not have single use towels. Corrected. Ceiling tiles missing in the kitchen area need to be replaced. Working containers (spray bottles) in kitchen area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.

Soul Farm To Truck Mff4, 1056 Palisades Drive, Feb. 15: no violations.

El Gallito Mexican Bakery, 948 Buttonwood St., Feb. 15: no violations.

Y & S Grocery, 157 Buttonwood St., Feb. 15: no violations.

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