Delaware County food inspection updates: mouse droppings and dead mouse among the violations

Oct 06, 2023

The Delaware County Health Department is responsible for most of the inspections of food establishments in the county.

There were eight municipalities that filed for temporary injunctions to prevent the county from conducting inspections in those municipalities. They were the townships of Springfield, Ridley, Aston, Upper Chichester, Darby Township, Tinicum, Middletown and Marple.

The county said this in an emailed statement:

"The Delaware County Health Department currently conducts inspections for food establishments in all but seven municipalities in the county. These seven municipalities are currently involved in a temporary injunction and they are responsible for all environmental health-related services within their jurisdiction. Middletown Township recently came under DCHD jurisdiction and inspections have begun."

In April, Delaware County Common Pleas Judge Spiro Angelos issued a preliminary injunction allowing these municipalities to continue performing their own inspections of restaurants and related facilities until he issues a final order.

Many of the food-safety violations are corrected on the spot. 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 Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Tinicum has been the only one of the independent townships reporting food safety inspections through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website.

According to the website, those in Tinicum with violations this year included:

Flashback Cafe, 401 Powhattan Ave., Essington: Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours is not being date marked.

McBride's Bar and Grille, 401 Seminole St., Essington: Food stored open with no covering, date and label all cooked, prepared foods in refrigerator and freezer. Scoop being stored in the ice machine with handle buried beneath the ice. Food stored in a non-food safe container (gray plastic with lid).

Wawa, 600 Governor Printz Blvd., Essington: Water pooled on floor by triple sinks, soap was not available at the hand wash sink, exterior doorway in back of milk cooler blocked by orange crates.

Windy Gardens, 45 Industrial Highway, Essington: Date and label all prepared products. Floor/wall/ceiling cracked/roughened/and is not a smooth, easily cleanable surface. Area in front of freezer currently not in use. Leak under hand sink to be repaired.

The county health department conducts more than 100 food safety inspections a week across numerous categories. These are the inspections of the establishments in the category of having a Pennsylvania liquor license, and only those with violations this month:

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, 321 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne: Can opener blade is not clean to sight and touch; ice machine is not clean to sight and touch; dirt and liquid accumulation present on the floor in the bar area; soil accumulation present on the walls in the mechanical dish washing machine area.

Autograph Brasserie, 503 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne: Date marked on carmelized onions exceeds the time limit; working container of cleaner not properly labeled; fish is stored in reduced oxygen packaging; bulk food storage container is not labeled; insect control device is over food clean dishware drainboard at dishwashing machine and handwashing sink; common bowl or scoop without a handle used in the bulk sugar storage container; preset tableware is not protected from contamination; Whirlpool mini refrigerator does not meet ANSI/NSF sanitation standards; correct test strips are not available to the employees to measure sanitizing solution concentration at three compartment sinks.

Barnaby's Havertown, 1901 Old West Chester Pike, Havertown: Ice machine is not clean to sight and touch; food stored in an unapproved location on the floor of the walk-in refrigeration units; soil residue present on the air vents in the walk in refrigeration unit.

Brewer's Outlet, 535 Church Lane, Yeadon: Mop not being hung to air dry.

Buena Onda, 226 N. Radnor Chester Road, Wayne: Dried beverage syrup residue present on nonfood-contact surfaces of soda dispenser; flooring in the food prep area was found in a state of disrepair.

Busty's Tavern, 8013-15 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby: PIC is not a Certified Food Protection Manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program; exterior door gap allows access for pests; test kits or other devices are not available to the employees to measure sanitizing solution concentration; missing or inadequate backflow prevention device at mop sink; lighting was found not shielded or otherwise protected in the kitchen area.

Casey's Saloon and Restaurant, 812 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill: chemical cleaner is stored with food products in bar area, on prep table in kitchen; in-use utensils are stored incorrectly behind bar; test kits or other devices are not available to the employees to measure quaternary sanitizing solution concentration.

Chickie's and Pete's, 5035 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill: Disposable paper towels not provided at the hand washing sink. Food in the cold holding units was held at 45 degrees, higher than 41 mandated. Food storage containers are not labeled. Food employees working at the food prep area not wearing a hair restraint.

Chili's Grill & Bar, 4750 Edgmont Avenue, Brookhaven: Bags of lettuce stored in the walk-in cooler is/are spoiled; time/temperature control for safety food is not maintained at 41 degrees or less.

DanDan Restaurant, 214 Sugartown Road, Wayne: PIC is not a Certified Food Protection Manager; a sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees; espresso machine nozzles are not clean to sight and touch; prepared food not marked with a use-by date; consumer advisory is not provided for serving raw or undercooked egg in cocktails; identify food storage containers with common name of the food; gap observed under and between front doors, which does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other vermin; visible evidence of rodent activity (mouse droppings) present in the food prep and bar areas; in-use utensils are stored incorrectly; preset tableware is not protected from contamination; quaternary ammonium compound sanitizer test strips are expired; soil residue present on nonfood-contact surfaces of bar taps; mouse droppings present on the floor in the bar and food prep areas.

El Gran Rodeo, 220 Painters Crossing Village: Establishment has two CFMs but none were present while first onsite; hand washing sink blocked by equipment; raw beef stored below raw chicken; observed food stored in walk-in cooler without covering; chlorine sanitizer at 200 ppm at sanitizer buckets, double standard; establishment does not have date labeling system for items prepped and stored in cold hold units; in-use utensils are stored incorrectly in ice container; outdoor trash can are not recognized as a safe material for food-contact/storage; soil residue present on walk in cooler fans covering; soil residue present in walk in freeze; unnecessary items no longer of use to the establishment operation or maintenance found stored in and around the waste storage area making the area difficult to access and clean properly; employees were found not using the designated dressing rooms/changing areas or designated employees lockers when changing clothes or storing personal articles.

Estia Taverna, 222 N. Radnor Chester Road, Wayne: Multiple employees observed drinking from an uncovered cup in the food preparation area; raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat foods; accumulation of black debris present on the interior surfaces of the ice chute in the crushed ice machine; working bulk storage containers are not labeled with the common name of the food; preset tableware (flatware, hollowware, plates, etc.) is not protected from contamination; equipment not in good repair- rusted hole present on the grease trap cover; test strips to measure sanitizing solution concentration are expired; plumbing under the dish washing machine needs repair; leak repaired with duct tape; pooled water present in several areas throughout the food prep area of the establishment.

Fibber's Sports Bar and Grille, 327 S. 69th St., Upper Darby: PIC is not a Certified Food Protection Manager; sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees; RTE stored below raw chicken; food is not marked with a use-by date; crab cakes are thawed on top of an oven; food storage containers are not labeled; mouse observed, dead, in the storage area; unpackaged food items are not protected during food storage; mop was found stored incorrectly in-between use.

Firepoint Grill, 3739 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square: Sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees; can opener is not clean to sight and touch; test kits or other devices are not available to the employees to measure sanitizing solution concentration; soil residue present on the air vents in the walk in refrigeration unit.

Four Birds Distilling Co., 1901 Darby Road, Havertown: Establishment does not have procedures for employees to follow when responding to discharging of vomitus or fecal matter. No hot water at the hand sink; ice machine is not clean to sight and touch.

Giant Food Store #6442, 116 W. Township Line Road, Havertown: Food stored in an unapproved location on the floor of the walk in freezer; soil residue present on the air vents in the walk in refrigeration unit.

Herosame Hang Chao Inc., 2371 Haverford Road, Ardmore: Raw vegetables stored below raw chicken; soil residue present on air vents in the walk in refrigeration unit.

Il Granaio Italian Restaurant, 711 Concord Road, Glen Mills: Liquid hand soap not provided at the hand washing sink; a sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees; multiple food items observed uncovered in the refrigerator and walk-in cooler; in-use utensils are stored incorrectly in the beverage ice machine; cardboard observed being utilized as a shelf liner is not easily cleanable; intake air/exhaust air ducts (vents) in the walk-in cooler area were found with accumulation of dust on them.

La Cabra Brewing Smokehouse, 810 Glenbrook Ave., Bryn Mawr: Pork belly is stored using reduced oxygen packaging; walk-in cooler flooring in disrepair; chlorine test strips are not available to the employees to measure sanitizing solution concentration; floors in the food prep area were found in a state of disrepair, or not smooth and easily cleanable.

La Catrina, 13 W. State St., Media: Door hinges on the deep freezer in basement is broken; in-use utensils are stored incorrectly in walk-in refrigerator; food employee is working in kitchen prepping food, not wearing a hair restraint; food storage containers are not labeled; food stored on the floor of walk-in cooler; potentially hazardous ready to eat prepared food (chicken, beef and sauces) are not marked with a use by date.

McSorley's Ale House, 2330 Haverford Road, Ardmore: A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees.

Mickey's Tavern, 129 S. State Road, Upper Darby: Liquid hand soap not provided at the hand washing sink in restroom; test kits or other devices are not available to the employees to measure sanitizing solution concentration.

Newtown Suds, 3517 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square: Establishment does not have procedures for employees to follow when responding to discharging of vomitus or fecal matter; a sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees; soil residue present on the air vents in the walk in refrigeration unit; women's restroom lacks a covered receptacle for disposal of feminine hygiene products.

Osteria Ama Restaurant, 100 Ridge Road, Chadds Ford: Working container of chemical not properly labeled; unnecessary items no longer of use to the establishment operation or maintenance found stored in and around the waste storage area making the area difficult to access and clean properly.

Pietro's, 236 N. Radnor Chester Road, Radnor: Hot water at the hand sink in the bar area below 85-degree standard; Quaternary ammonium compound sanitizer concentration was 100 ppm, rather than 200-400 ppm as required by manufacturer; prepared foods are not marked with a use-by date; working bulk storage containers are not labeled with the common name of the food; in-use utensils (tongs) are stored incorrectly on oven handle; common bowl, or scoop without a handle, observed in several bulk storage containers; preset tableware is not protected from contamination. Handwashing sink leaking in the bar area; nonfood-contact surfaces of chest freezer have rusted or are no longer easily cleanable; test strips to measure sanitizing solution concentration are expired; dried beverage syrup residue present on nonfood-contact surfaces of the soda dispenser; mold present on ceiling in the walk-incooler.

Ristorante La Locanda, 4989 West Chester Pike, Edgmont: PIC is not a certified food manager; container of shellstock located in (reach in/walk in cooler) without proper shellstock tag identification; interior of microwave is heavily soiled; bulk food storage containers are not labeled at pizza prep area; grease and soil accumulation present on reach in freezer next to fryer; soil residue present on cold hold units; soil residue present on walk in cooler grates.

Skippy's, 8900 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby: Person in charge (PIC) is not a certified food manager; food employee washed hands at the three-compartment sink; hand washing sink not located in the kitchen and bar area; food is not marked with a use-by date; food thermometer is not available.

Stingers Restaurant & Bar, 925 Providence Road, Secane: Hand washing sink not located in the kitchen area; food establishment is not maintaining an approved record keeping system for shellstock tags.

Sushi Nami, 369 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne: PIC is not present at the food establishment during all hours of operation; handwashing sink next to deep fryer blocked by rolling cart; thermometer is not provided in the left sushi fish display case; domestic style Black & Decker toaster oven does not meet ANSI/NSF sanitation standards; grease and soil accumulation present on toaster oven; physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.

The Happy Inn, 11 Main St., Darby: Dishes present at handwashing sink in food prep area.; liquid hand soap not provided at the hand washing sink; food storage containers are not labeled.

The Manoa Tavern, 8 N. Manoa Road, Havertown: Establishment does not have procedures for employees to follow when responding to discharging of vomitus or fecal matter; sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees; ice machine is not clean to sight and touch. date marking is not on all food items; thermometer is not provided in all refrigeration units; beer stored in ice to be used for consumption at the bar ice bin; soil residue present on air vents in the walk in refrigeration unit; women's restroom lacks a covered receptacle for disposal of feminine hygiene products.

Tom Jones Family Restaurant, 4417 Edgmont Ave., Brookhaven: Grease and soil accumulation present on kitchen floor; in-Use utensils are stored incorrectly; food stored in an unapproved location; date markings not present; disposable paper towels not provided at the hand washing sink; establishment does not have procedures for employees to follow when responding to discharging of vomitus or fecal matter.

Village Vine Wine Bar & Bistro, 6 Park Ave., Swarthmore: Fish and mollusk in the refrigerator are 55 degrees, should be 41 degrees or lower; employee cellphone found in the food prep area; food storage containers are not labeled; test kits or other devices are not available to the employees to measure sanitizing solution concentration.

See https://public.cdpehs.com/ILENVPBL/ESTABLISHMENT/ShowESTABLISHMENTTablePage.aspx?ESTTST_CTY=np3R3XE8q8w%3d for all the inspections.

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