The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has posted an updated list of recent Retail Food Inspection Reports for restaurants and food handlers in Berks County. Inspections are a “snapshot” of the day and time of the inspection. Violations are recorded but are often corrected on the spot prior to the inspector leaving the facility. For more information on retail food inspection reports, visit: agriculture.pa.gov
On August 20, 2024, Winnie’s Tea Bar, located at 725 Penn Ave, West Reading, was inspected and found to have several violations. Observed an open bag of powdered creamer stored directly on the floor in the back area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Corrected. The 2-door refrigeration unit in the front area has an accumulation of ice on the interior walls. The metal plate on the interior of the ice machine, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Corrected. The floors in the back prep area have a build-up of old food residue under equipment and shelving. Food facility inspection indicates evidence of insect activity (ants). Facility is working to address the issue.
On August 20, 2024, Lidl, located at 3564 Penn Ave, was inspected and found that six quarts of heavy whipping cream offered for sale beyond the sell-by date of 8/19/2024. Corrected.
On August 20, 2024, Country Basket Produce, located at 806 Mountain Home Rd, was inspected and found that the food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the 3-compartment sink.
On August 20, 2024, Berks Lanes/All American Sports Pub, located at 3190 Shillington Rd, was inspected and found with several violations. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the 3-coompartment sink, dishwasher, and glass washer at the bar. Observed dried food residue on some surfaces of the milkshake machine. Part of the floor in the back area behind the kitchen is cracked/rough and is not a smooth, easily cleanable surface. The bag-in-box soda unit is stored on this rough floor surface. No sign or poster posted yet at the new handwash sinks (3 in the kitchen and 2 behind the bar) to remind food employees to wash their hands.
On August 21, 2024, Tokyo Hibachi & Bar, located at 960 Woodland Rd, Wyomissing, was inspected and found with a couple of violations. Loose or broken door hinges observed on the 2-door refrigeration unit near the 3-compartment sink. Right-hand door is not closing properly. Working containers (spray bottles) in the sushi bar and kitchen areas, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.
On August 21, 2024, Rhythmic Provisions TFS3, located at 103 Bull Rd, Oley. Food facility does not yet employ a certified food employee as required. Owner is in the process of completing a certified manager course.
On August 21, 2024, Mikura Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar, located at 840 N Park Rd, Wyomissing, was inspected and found with several violations. Multiple food items in the walk-in cooler stored open with no covering. Corrected. Observed dirt and debris in several areas of the facility: on the floor near the dishwasher, on the shelves in the drink station area, on the floor and a solid shelf in the walk-in cooler. Facility was starting to clean these areas during this inspection. Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent and insect activity in several areas. Facility needs to continue with their pest control program. Working containers (spray bottles) in the facility, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected. Containers of paint and other chemicals were stored above and on the same shelf with food and dishes in the back and sushi bar areas. Corrected. First aid supplies being stored in back kitchen area on the food storage shelves and are a possible source of contamination. Corrected.
On August 21, 2024, Duck Donuts, located at 86 Commerce Dr, was inspected and found that some boxes of single-service, single-use articles stored directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor, in the back area.
On August 22, 2024, Takkii Ramen, located at 36 N 6th Ave, West Reading, was inspected and found that the Thermometer for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the large bain marie near the cooking area.
On August 22, 2024, Italian Garden, located at 851 Penn St, was inspected and found with several violations. Cigarette ashes was observed on the floor in the back by 3 compartment sinks. Also, bartender was behind the bar smoking. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the kitchen area to remind food employees to wash their hands. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the kitchen area. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the kitchen area. Potential rodent harborage areas inside the food facility observed in the serving area due to unknown factors. A working container of cleaner / sanitizer was stored above or on the same shelf with food, equipment, and/or single service articles in the area.
On August 26, 2024, Pal’ Patio Fusion Cuisine & Grill, located at 110 Lucinda Ln, was inspected and found that the new food facility does not yet employ a certified food employee as required. Owner has 90 days to obtain a food manager certificate.
On August 26, 2024, Nortesur Mexican Restaurant, located at 2610 Kutztown Rd, was inspected and found food dispensing utensil without a handle observed in bulk sugar food container. Corrected on inspection. Working containers used for storing chemicals taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected on inspection.
On August 26, 2024, Giant Food Store #422, located at 4320 North 5th Street Highway, was inspected and found that multiple fan guards in walk in refrigerators were dusty with potential contamination refrigerated items. Multiple brooms, mops not hung properly.
On August 27, 2024, Gasser’s Golf, located at 3251 Pricetown Rd, was inspected and found that there was no sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the unisex restroom to remind food employees to wash their hands.
On August 28, 2024, Wal-Mart Supercenter #3501, located at 100 Crossings Blvd, was inspected and found that bait for cockroaches on the scale portion of the self-checkout station at the grocery end of the store.
On August 28, 2024, Paolo’s Pizza & Restaurant, located at 2480 Lancaster Pike, Reading, PA 19607, was inspected and found that multiple food items were held at 52°F, in the Bain Marie by the grill rather than 41°F or below as required. Corrected.
On August 28, 2024, Dunkin Donuts #349865, located at 3672 Mountain Rd, was inspected and found that the Wall and ceiling around the air vent in the prep area of the food facility is excessively dusty, and in need of cleaning.
On August 28, 2024, CI Hamburg Superstore Lounge, located at 1635 Mountain Rd, was inspected and found that food dispensing utensil in sugar was observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food and the container. Corrected. Non-food contact surface of soda nozzle holder at the bar was not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of debris. The floor / wall juncture in kitchen area is not coved and closed to 1/32 inch. Coving is observed not attached to the wall.
On August 29, 2024, Whoo’s Cooking at the Boxcar Grill, located at 154 E Penn Ave, was inspected and found several issues. A food employee was observed preparing a sandwich – a ready to eat food – with bare hands. Corrected. Food facility has an employee that has taken food safety training program; however, the food safety program was not an ANSI/CFP accredited Certified Food Manager program. The posted certificate is a Food Handler certificate. Old unused equipment and other items stored in the kitchen area should be removed from food facility.
On August 30, 2024, Square One Hamburg, located at 71 Industrial Dr, was inspected and found to have several violations. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the Starbucks refrigerator at coffee counter. Interior kick plate of the ice machine, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the dish area. Corrected.
On August 30, 2024, One Shop Deli Grocery VIP, located at 200 N 5th St, Reading, was inspected and found to have several violations. Wrapped food, a potentially hazardous ready to eat food requiring datemarking, in the deli cooler area, was not date marked, or was beyond the date-marking and requires discarding. Old food residue, dishes and utensils observed in the handwash sink, indicating uses other than handwashing. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the food prep area. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the food prep area
On August 30, 2024, Cocina Guatemalteca, located at 746 N 8th St, Reading, was inspected and found to have several violations. The employee hand washing sink water was turned off, and no paper towels or soap at the hand washing sink. observed employee preparing food without wearing gloves. Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the deli cooler, is not being date marked. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the food prep area. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the food prep area.
On August 31, 2024, Pizzariffic, Inc., located at 3201 Pottsville Pike, was inspected and found to have the following violations. Slicer exterior surface soiled. Food thermometer exterior surface soiled. Fan guard (dining room fan) dusty. Ambient air thermometer exterior soiled. Ceiling tiles missing in the area above walk-in refrigerator and require replacement. Mops are not being hung to air dry.
On August 31, 2024, China Fun, located at 3611 Pottsville Pike, was inspected and found to have the following violations. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Raw meat was stored above ready to eat foods in the front reach-in refrigerator. Corrected on inspection. Food dispensing utensil in multiple foods observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food. Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Front reach-in refrigerator door glides soiled. Two sinks with continuous leaking water from faucets.
Several other restaurants were inspected during this time period with no violations reported: Baker Bob’s Bakery in Reading, Lily’s Vineyard in Reading, Mr Beer in Wyomissing, The Vibe Cafe & Lounge in Hamburg, Sammy’s Steaks & Fries in West Reading, Spuds Events & Catering in Fleetwood, Redner’s Quick Stop #25 in Fleetwood, Renee Gibson in Bethel, Giant Food #6273 in Reading, Five Guys Burgers and Fries #1315 in Hamburg, Jasmine Draggin Confections in Reading, Dollar General #7212 in Reading.
