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 July 31, 2024, Vinnie’s Pizza, located at 207 N Furnace St, Birdsboro, PA 19508, was inspected and found to have several violations. The food facility did not have sanitizer test strips available to determine the appropriate sanitizer concentration at the 3-compartment sink. Additionally, the original certificate for the certified food employee was not posted in public view. The handwash sink in the kitchen area was blocked by a large strainer, making it inaccessible for employee use, although this was corrected during the inspection. Furthermore, a working container in the chemical storage area, used for storing chemicals and cleaners taken from bulk supplies, was not marked with the common name of the chemical, but this issue was also corrected on site.
On July 31, 2024, Turkey Hill #308, located at 320 N Furnace St, Birdsboro, PA 19508, was inspected and found to have a violation. The floor/wall juncture at the back door, near the women’s restroom/storage area, was not properly coved and closed, with a gap of 1/32 inch due to missing coving tiles.
On July 31, 2024, Moe’z Pizza, located at 48 N 6th St, Reading, PA 19601, was inspected with several violations. The slicer being used in the kitchen area was not properly cleaned after slicing meats and then cheese. Additionally, commercially processed ready-to-eat food stored in the bain marie and held for more than 48 hours was not marked with the date it was opened. The dining area floors were soiled, and the bathrooms were dirty, lacking paper towels and soap. Furthermore, the paper towel dispenser at the handwash sink in the area was empty, and soap was not available at the handwash sink in the area.
On July 31, 2024, Folino Estate Vineyard & Winery, located at 340 Old Route 22, Kutztown, PA 19530, was inspected and found to have several violations. A souffle cup was initially observed stored in the food container but was corrected during the inspection. The food contact surface of the ice bucket was found to be chipped and not easily cleanable, though this issue was also corrected. The handwash sink in the dish area was blocked by a cart, making it inaccessible for employee use, but this was rectified on site. Additionally, ceiling tiles in the dish area, cookline, and prep area had an excessive amount of dust buildup, and the wall in the dish area was observed with black organic matter and required cleaning.
On July 31, 2024, Dollar General #15584, located at 100 Chestnut St, Unit A, Birdsboro, PA 19508, was inspected and found that the women’s restroom did not have a covered waste receptacle.
On August 1, 2024, the Tavern at Centre and Main, located at 5 Centre Ave, Topton, PA 19562, was inspected and found to have a couple of violations. Cases of food were observed stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler area, instead of being elevated 6 inches off the floor as required. Additionally, beef dishes are served rare or undercooked upon customer request, but a written consumer advisory was not provided to inform consumers of the potential risks.
On August 1, 2024, Simply Bold, located at 550 Penn Ave, West Reading, PA 19611, was inspected and found that deli meat (ham) was being held at 49°F in the bain marie unit in the kitchen area, rather than the required 41°F or below. This issue was corrected by relocating the food items to other refrigeration units, and the facility plans to use ice for temporary storage in this unit until it is repaired or replaced.
On August 1, 2024, Outback Steakhouse #3919, located at 2789 Papermill Rd, Wyomissing, PA 19610, was inspected and found to have several violations. The fry skimmer was observed with broken wires and was not smooth or easily cleanable, though this issue was corrected. Knives stored in the knife rack had food residue and were not clean to sight and touch, and some knives were stored between a food bin and a countertop; both issues were corrected. Clean food equipment and utensils in the dish storage area were stored wet in a manner that did not allow for proper draining or air drying, which was also corrected. Additionally, the handwash sink in the bar area did not have water at a temperature of at least 85°F, and the ceiling in the mop sink area was observed with leaking water and is in need of repair.
On August 1, 2024, Meraki Manor, located at 1405 Old River Rd, Birdsboro, PA 19508, was inspected and found to have a few violations. The facility did not have sanitizer test strips available to determine the appropriate sanitizer concentration for the quat tablets used in the 3-compartment sink at the bar. Additionally, working containers in the kitchen area used for storing chemicals and cleaners were not marked with the common name of the chemical, though this was corrected during the inspection. First aid supplies and vitamins were being stored on a shelf above a food preparation table in the kitchen area, posing a possible source of contamination, but this issue was also corrected.
On August 1, 2024, Chatty Monks Brewing Company, located at 610 Penn Ave, West Reading, PA 19611, was inspected and found to have a couple of violations. The chlorine chemical sanitizer residual in the final rinse cycle of the low-temperature sanitizing dishwasher was detected at 0 ppm, rather than the required 50-100 ppm, but this issue was corrected by priming the machine. Additionally, working containers in the bar and kitchen areas used for storing chemicals and cleaners were not marked with the common name of the chemical, although this was corrected during the inspection.
On August 2, 2024, Raceway Kempton, located at 2403 B Rte 143, Kempton, PA 19529, was inspected and found to have several violations. The inspection was listed as out of compliance. The facility only has a handwash sink in the restroom, which is not accessible for food preparation and should not be the sole handwashing option. Additionally, an employee held a Certified Food Manager certificate, but it had expired and was no longer valid. Moreover, the drinking water used in the facility was not from an approved source, such as a public or approved non-public water system, and no water test was provided to verify the water source.
On August 2, 2024, New Jerusalem Inn & Event Center, located at 11 Deysher Rd, Fleetwood, PA 19522, was inspected and found that there was no sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the men’s room to remind food employees to wash their hands.
On August 2, 2024, Grind, located at 45 S Reading Ave, Boyertown, PA 19512, was inspected and found to have several violations. Frozen fish was observed being thawed in the sanitize compartment of their three-basin sink. Additionally, a French cutter was found with old food debris stuck to it. The inspection also revealed deeply scored cutting boards that had not been resurfaced or discarded as required.
On August 2, 2024, Deitsch Eck Restaurant, located at 87 Penn St, Lenhartsville, PA 19534, was inspected and found that the spray nozzle underside, a non-food contact surface, had not been cleaned frequently enough to prevent the accumulation of dirt and soil.
On August 5, 2024, Vince’s Steaks Kutztown Fair, located in Kutztown, PA 19530, was inspected and found that a food dispensing utensil without a handle was stored in the spice containers. This issue was corrected during the inspection.
On August 6, 2024, Third and Spruce Drafthaus, located at 238 S 3rd Ave, West Reading, PA 19611, was inspected and found to have evidence of insect activity in both the bar and kitchen areas.
On August 6, 2024, Lyons Exxon, located at 1 W State Ave, PO Box 126, Lyons Station, PA 19536, was inspected and found to have several violations. Premade sandwiches from an unlicensed and unapproved source were observed in the retail cooler, but these were disposed of during the inspection. The facility did not have sanitizer test strips or a test kit available to determine the appropriate sanitizer concentration. Additionally, sanitizers used to clean and sanitize equipment and utensils were not available for use during all hours of operation. The back door located in the rear of the store had a gap and did not adequately protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.
On August 6, 2024, Gramia’s Restaurant, located at 924 W Philadelphia Ave, Boyertown, PA 19512, was inspected and found to have several violations. Refrigerated ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety foods prepared in the facility and held for more than 24 hours were not date marked in the walk-in cooler, refrigerator in the cookline area, and Bain Marie. Deeply scored cutting boards were observed and had not been resurfaced or discarded as required. Additionally, the walls and floor in the cookline area were extremely dirty and in need of cleaning.
Several other restaurants were inspected during this time period with no violations reported: Winding Road BBQ & Catering LLC in Fleetwood, PA; Second Nature Health Food Store in Kutztown, PA; Hearth & Hearth BBQ in Kutztown, PA; Giant Food Store #6486 in Kutztown, PA; American Legion Post 626 in Birdsboro, PA; El Sabor Criollo in Reading, PA; Dariel Deli & Grocery in Reading, PA; Courtyard by Marriott in Wyomissing, PA; Bob’s Discount Furniture in Wyomissing, PA; Sicilian Delite Pizzeria & Ristorante in Boyertown, PA; Mountain Springs Camping Resort Snack Bar in Hamburg, PA; Hotel Stony Run in Kempton, PA; Gertrude Hawk Chocolates in Wyomissing, PA; Charlotte Street Coffee Company in Boyertown, PA; Way-Har Farms at Kutztown Fairgrounds in Kutztown, PA; Tony’s Steak Sandwiches at Kutztown Fair in Kutztown, PA; Renacer Mini Market LLC in Reading, PA; El Punto Boricua in Reading, PA; A&J’s Mini Market LLC in Reading, PA; Popeyes #14745 in Reading, PA; Cafe Folino in Wyomissing, PA; and Adappt Inc. 46802040 in Reading, PA.
